HARRISBURG, Pa. — With the New Year comes new laws that will go into effect starting in 2024. From health to education, to even your pets, there are a few laws that you should keep in mind while heading into the New Year.
Lawmakers are cracking down on porch pirates by making it a felony in Pennsylvania. The bill was introduced by Senator Frank Farry and approved by Governor Josh Shapiro on Dec. 14. The felony charges are applied if someone steals a package that is equal to or more than $2,000.
Police officers will see a change regarding what it will take to earn the badge. Starting in 2024, aspiring police officers will now have a lower fitness requirement, Currently, officers in training have to score within the 30th percentile in evaluations like running, bench presses, and sit-ups. The new law now says officers only have to score in the 15th percentile.
However, applicants would still be required to score no lower than the 30th percentile to be employed as a police officer.
There will also be a focus on treatment for incarcerated women. This includes a ban on shackling pregnant women and a ban on solitary confinement for pregnant women.
As for health care providers who are overseeing professional instruction or clinical training programs, they must obtain specific informed consent, in verbal or written form, before performing pelvic examinations, rectal examinations, or prostate examinations.
This is aimed at medical students who perform a pelvic exam for a woman who is under anesthesia for an unrelated procedure.
Governor Shapiro signed legislation to expand the child tax credit as well, so a low-income family with two children in childcare would receive a refundable state tax credit.
With the expansion, the state tax credit would go from $630 to $2,100.
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