HARRISBURG, Pa. — Pennsylvania’s distracted driving law will take full effect in 2026, marking one of the most consequential legal shifts for motorists in years.
It headlines a slate of new laws set to roll out across the commonwealth.
Beginning June 5, 2026, under Paul Miller’s Law, police will be able to issue fines to drivers caught using handheld mobile devices behind the wheel.
The change elevates the law from an educational phase to full enforcement, with violations carrying a $50 fine plus court costs and other fees.Pennsylvania law
It will end a year-long warning period that has been in place since June 5, 2025.
The change elevates the law from an educational phase to full enforcement, with violations carrying a $50 fine plus court costs and other fees.
Additionally, if a driver is convicted of homicide by vehicle and driving while distracted, they may be sentenced up to an additional five years in prison.
The law, passed as Senate Bill 37 and signed into law in 2024, bans drivers from holding or using a phone or similar device while driving — even while stopped in traffic or at red lights.
There are limited exceptions for emergency calls and hands-free operation.
Officers may stop a vehicle solely for the violation, making it a primary offense.
State officials say the shift is aimed at curbing distracted driving, which remains a leading cause of crashes and fatalities on Pennsylvania roads.
From June 5 through Sept. 30, troopers statewide issued 674 warnings and those within Troop M (Bucks, Northampton, Lehigh counties) issued 38 warnings, according to Trooper Nathan Branosky, Troop M public information officer.
From Jan. 1 through Sept. 30, troopers statewide investigated 6,164 distracted driving motor vehicle crashes, including 398 within Troop M's coverage area, Branosky said.
The tragedy fueled years of advocacy for stronger safety rules.
While the distracted driving crackdown will be the most visible change for many residents, it is just one of several significant laws scheduled to take effect statewide in 2026.
Expanded workplace discrimination protections
In January, Pennsylvania’s CROWN (Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair) Act amendments to the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act will take effect.
They will expand anti-discrimination protections in employment, housing and public accommodations.
The changes explicitly prohibit discrimination based on hair texture, protective hairstyles historically associated with race, and certain head coverings tied to religious practice.
Employers across the state will be required to ensure workplace policies and grooming standards comply with the updated law.
"Real freedom means being respected for who you are — no matter what you look like, where you come from, who you love, or who you pray to," Gov. Shapiro said when signing the CROWN Act into law.
"For too long, many Pennsylvanians have faced discrimination simply for hairstyles that reflect their identity and culture."
Supporters say the change closes longstanding loopholes that disproportionately affected Black workers and religious minorities.
New school safety notification requirements
Also taking effect in January is a new school weapon incident notification law, which requires K-12 schools — including public, charter, private and career-technical schools — to notify parents, guardians and school employees following weapons-related incidents.
Under the law, schools must send notifications within 24 hours after an incident occurs on school property, during school-sponsored activities or on school transportation.
The measure is intended to increase transparency and ensure families and staff receive timely information about serious safety concerns.
State Sen. Jarrett Coleman, R-Lehigh/Bucks, first introduced the bill after a fourth-grade student brought a knife to Schnecksville Elementary School with the intention of hurting another child in April 2023.
The public didn't learn of the event until state police issued a report a week later.
A similar incident occurred in Allentown a few months earlier.
The changes to the law are effective Jan. 6.
Changes to disability services contracting
Administrative changes within Pennsylvania’s Intellectual Disability and Autism waiver programs also will begin in 2026, introducing performance-based contracting for certain support coordination services.
The state Department of Human Services said the shift is designed to improve accountability and outcomes for individuals receiving services, though provider groups are closely watching how the new contracting model affects staffing and service delivery.
Coverage for weight loss medications, breast cancer imaging
The state budget seeks to rein in costs by limiting coverage of glucagon-like peptide-1 drugs — including Wegovy and Zepbound — for people enrolled in Medicaid starting Jan. 1.
Under the change, the state’s Medicaid program, known as Medical Assistance, will no longer cover GLP-1 medications prescribed solely for obesity or weight loss.
Coverage will continue for enrollees who use the drugs to treat diabetes and other qualifying health conditions.
Additionally, a new law will require insurers to cover follow-up testing for women who need additional imaging after an abnormal mammogram, such as an MRI or ultrasound.
Although annual mammograms are fully covered, the cost of additional diagnostic tests can be substantial. Cancer advocates say those expenses can delay the early detection of breast cancer.
The expanded coverage will apply to insurance plans and policies issued or renewed beginning in summer 2026.
More changes on the horizon
Additional policy changes tied to the 2025-26 state budget, including education initiatives and workforce development programs, will continue to roll out throughout 2026.
Lawmakers also are considering, but have not finalized, proposals that could raise the minimum wage in future years.
