7 New PA Laws That Could Impact Your Life In 2020

HARRISBURG, PA — Some major laws passed by lawmakers in Harrisburg will go into effect in 2020. Laws that change how we vote, the age smoking is allowed, and how military families pay for college education are among those that will go into place in the new year.

Here's what you need to know about those laws and what their implementation might mean for you:

Election reform

An election reform bill that will implement several "voter-friendly" election reforms — including no-excuse mail-in voting — will be in place by the April 2020 primary election. The governor, when signing the legislation in October, called Act 77 "the most significant improvement to Pennsylvania's elections in more than 80 years."

The law allows Pennsylvania residents to vote by mail up to 50 days before an election, without an excuse. Voters can elect to be placed on a list to permanently receive a ballot application by mail. It also extends voter registration times, and authorizes a $90 million bond to help counties fund the purchase of new voting systems with a paper trail.

Learn more about changes to voting in 2020.

Smoking age

A bill that raises Pennsylvania's legal smoking age goes into effect in 2020. The bill, which raises the minimum age to buy tobacco and vaping products from 18 to 21, will go into effect in July. The smoking legislation also expands the definition of tobacco products to include e-cigarettes and other vaping items.

Learn more about the smoking age increase.

Criminal justice reform

Two criminal justice reform bills will become law in 2020. The bills, collectively known as the second Justice Reinvestment Initiative or JRI 2, changes sentencing guidelines and expands drug treat programs to effectively keep more people out of jail. With the savings, the money is reinvested into programs that reduce recidivism, hopefully bringing even more savings while improving public safety.

Learn more about criminal justice reforms coming in 2020.

Sunday hunting

A law allowing hunting for three Sundays will go into effect in February. Under the new law, one day of Sunday hunting will be scheduled during deer rifle season, one during deer archery season, and a third date to be determined by the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

Learn more about Sunday hunting in Pennsylvania.

GI Bill

Pennsylvania National Guard members can now apply to a tuition assistance program through the PA GI Bill, signed in July. The legislation establishes a program providing free education to family members of National Guard members. Under the program, Pennsylvania National Guard members who commit to an additional six years of service receive five years of higher education benefits for their spouses and children. The program will provide for 10 semesters of tuition-free education for the family member.

Learn more about the GI Bill

Licensure reform

A new law that "cuts bureaucratic red tape" to make it easier for new Pennsylvanians with an out-of-state occupational license was signed in 2019 and boards and commissions will have 18 months to promulgate regulations. The legislation "cuts bureaucratic red tape" to make it easier for new Pennsylvanians, including military spouses, with an out-of-state occupational license to work, according to information from the governor's office.

Learn more about licensure reform.

Online training for firefighters

A bill permitting online training for firefighters will go into place in early 2020. Senate bill 146 was signed in late November.

Learn more about Senate bill 146.