HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) - Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro recently signed eight more bills into law, some of which have day-to-day implications for Pennsylvanians.
One that could impact the most is allowing doorless driving in Pennsylvania.
Permitting Doorless Driving
Senate Bill 298 allows drivers with certain vehicles to legally drive without doors.
If a vehicle is equipped with manufacturer-installed removable doors that can be taken off and reinstalled by the owner, it can now be legally driven in Pennsylvania without the doors.
Previously, Pennsylvania had been the only state in the country that banned doorless driving. The only exception had been for off-road driving.
State Senator Devlin Robinson (R-Allegheny) says his legislation "adheres to the logistical and safety standards that are important to our residents and law enforcement."
The vehicle will still need to have side mirrors and can have either a net, tube, or half door.
Bridge/Road Naming
Senate Bill 1144 names dozens of bridges and sections of road across the state, in some cases in honor of local military heroes. For example, the legislation designates a portion of State Route 2017, also known as Lisburn Road, in Lower Allen Township, Cumberland County, as the Sgt. Josue "Rocky" Saez, Jr., Memorial Road.
It also designates a bridge carrying Pennsylvania Route 74 over the Little Conewago Creek in Dover Township, York County, as the Corporal William E. Heilman Memorial Bridge.
Making the Distracted Driving Awareness Registration Plate a Permanent Option
House Bill 2301 allows the Distracted Driving Awareness Registration Plate to be a permanent option for drivers. Previously the plate's availability would've expired on December 31, 2025.
Representative Ed Neilson (D-Philadelphia) says the plate can be purchased for $40 in addition to the applicable registration fee. The proceeds from the costs of the plate are used to advance public education and outreach on the dangers of distracted driving.
The bill passed both chambers overwhelmingly.
Licensee Hiring Flexibility
House Bill 829 sponsored by Representative Matthew Gergely (D-Allegheny) gives flexibility in licensee hiring. The new law allows employees who work for distributors or importing distributors to also be allowed to work at other licensees’ establishments.
"Not only would this provide an avenue for licensees to hire skilled, reliable workers, but it would provide employees with a way to combat inflation in their household budgets," said Gergely.
The bill overwhelmingly passed in both chambers with bipartisan support.
Virtual Credit Card Payments for Medical Insurers
HB 1664 puts Pennsylvania in line with more than a dozen other states when it comes to virtual credit card payments for medical insurers.
"Some dental insurers have adopted a policy that dentists must accept claims payment using a credit or debit card equivalent, rather than a paper check or direct deposit," noted the bill's sponsor Representative Greg Scott (D-Montgomery). "The transaction usually involves the insurer providing a series of numbers that the dentist enters on a website or credit card terminal to complete the claims payment. Dental practices must absorb the transaction fees, sometimes as high as five percent, or pass the additional cost on to patients. Adding insult to injury, insurers sometimes get a percentage of the transaction fee."
The legislation doesn't prohibit insurers from using virtual credit card payments but requires them to provide other payment options and gives dentists the ability to opt-in to the payment option that works best for them.
The bill passed both chambers and passed in the Senate with unanimous support.
Clarifying Corporate Law
House Bill 1716 clarifies shareholder rights in Title 15, which outlines Pennsylvania's laws for corporations and unincorporated associations. Representative Perry Warren (D-Bucks) said in August 2023 that this "minor change" would help ensure businesses can remain open and help minority shareholders in certain types of lawsuits called derivative actions.
"My proposal clarifies Title 15 with respect to derivative suits by providing that if the corporation does not notify the plaintiff within 60 days that a special litigation committee has been formed to address the wrongdoing, then the plaintiff would be able to proceed with a derivative suit," said Warren.
The bill passed both the House and Senate unanimously.
Enhancing Trust Administration to Lower Costs and Support Beneficiaries
Senate Bill 1231 improves the "rules for the administration of directed trusts, (simplifies) the non-judicial settlement of trust accounts, and (reduces) the costs of administering trusts, making more trust income and assets available for distribution to family members, charities, and other beneficiaries."
State Senator Lisa Baker (R-Luzerne, Pike, Susquehanna, Wayne, Wyoming) says her legislation protects trustees and trust directors who rely on the actions and actions of others for the administration of a directed trust.
The bill passed both chambers with no opposition.
Updating State Law Regarding Insurance Rebates & Inducements
Senate Bill 1092 was introduced by State Senators John DiSanto (R-Dauphin) and Sharif Street (D-Philadelphia) in January 2024. The lawmakers said their legislation would "better align Pennsylvania law with National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) 2020 model legislation allowing consumers to receive non-cash items and value-added products and services from their insurers or producers. Such awards must be offered in a nondiscriminatory manner."
"Under the proposal," the lawmakers said, "value-added products and services must relate to the insurance coverage and are meant to reduce potential losses in claims or claim settlements and to educate consumers while also enhancing the personal and physical health of the consumer. As an example, a consumer may be offered a smoke detector."
The law increases the threshold of what insurers and producers can give consumers as non-cash gifts from $100 to $125.
The legislation passed both chambers without an opposition vote.