(WHTM) — Pennsylvanians may remember the last half of 2025 for its political gridlock as state legislators worked to pass a budget. However, lawmakers managed to get a number of bills on Gov. Josh Shapiro’s (D) desk just in time for the new year.

Here are some of the biggest laws taking effect this January.

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Senate Bill 246, Weapons in Schools

Starting Jan. 5, schools must notify parents and employees of incidents involving weapons on any school property within 24 hours.

Prior law only required districts to notify the Pennsylvania Department of Education when it expelled a student for possessing a weapon on school grounds or at a school-sponsored activity.

House Bill 646, Riding Motorcycles and Headphones

Most drivers can’t wear headphones while driving in Pennsylvania. However, from Jan. 5 onward, motorcyclists can.

Previous law prohibited riders from wearing more than one earphone, but state lawmakers said technology has changed with the times. The new law creates further exemptions for one or more headphones, earphones or helmets with built in speakers.

Senate Bill 520, the Wiretap Act

More law enforcement officers will wear body cameras in the state come Jan. 23.

This bill authorizes the use of body cameras by special agents with the Office of Attorney General, rangers with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and officers and deputies with the Pennsylvania Game and the Fish and Boat commissions.

Previous laws on the books did not permit these agencies to use body-worn cameras. Now, the state will see one of its largest expansions of body cameras since former Gov. Tom Wolf (D) first approved them in 2017.

Senate Bill 88, Updating Breast Cancer Screening Coverage

Also on Jan. 23, Pennsylvanians will no longer pay out-of-pocket costs for diagnostic mammograms, breast MRIs and ultrasounds.

Expanding on previous law requiring insurance companies to cover breast cancer screenings for high-risk women, it clarifies they must cover average-risk women, too.

House Bill 439, The CROWN Act

This expands civil rights protections for race to include hair texture, protective hairstyles and religious head coverings and hair styles. That means starting Jan. 24, it will be illegal in Pennsylvania for schools and employers to discriminate based on hair.

Pennsylvania becomes the 28th state with such a law and follows earlier protections by Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.

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