PA Gov. Shapiro Signs Multiple Bills Into Law

HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro has signed into law bills impacting school districts and motorcyclists across the state.

They are:

Senate Bill 246: Requires school districts to inform parents or guardians about incidents in which a weapon is brought to school grounds or school related activities. Previously, districts were only required to report to the state Department of Education incidents “relating to expulsions for possession of a weapon on school grounds, school-sponsored activities or public conveyances providing transportation to a school or school-sponsored activity.”

The bill was co-introduced by Democratic Sen. Christine Tartaglione of Philadelphia and Republican Sen. Jarrett Coleman of Lehigh County.

The pair wrote in a memo to colleagues: Our goal is to ensure and ensure that parents, guardians, and school employees are informed in a timely manner of any incidents with the potential to affect their children and the safety of the school."

House Bill 646: Allows motorcycle riders to wear one or more headphones or earphones, or a helmet with those built-in capabilities. Previously, a motorcycle ride was only able to wear a headset that provided sound through one ear in conjunction with a cell phone or other communication device. The bill was introduced by Republican state Rep. Zachary Mako of Lehigh County.