Pennsylvania Governor Shapiro Signs 58 Bills Into Law: More Than 100 in 2026, 439 Since Taking Office
Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania: Governor Josh Shapiro's office announced on October 27 that Shapiro signed 58 bills into law last week, pushing his total for 2026 past 100 bills signed since the beginning of the year. Since taking office in 2023, Shapiro has now signed a total of 439 bills into law, a record his office framed as “Getting Stuff Done for PA.”
According to the Governor's Office, the new laws include expanding and protecting tenants' rights; making housing more affordable; modernizing Pennsylvania's Milk Marketing Law; establishing an Investigation and Prosecution of Internet Crimes Against Children Program; joining the Physician Assistant Compact; strengthening work zone safety education for new drivers; banning animal testing for cosmetics; extending prevailing wage requirements; and amending the Sexual Assault Testing and Evidence Collection Act to standardize the submission process for all sexual assault evidence kits obtained by law enforcement.
The signings came alongside Shapiro's visit on October 26 to Lenape Middle School in Bucks County, where he signed Senate Bill 1014 into law. SB 1014 requires Pennsylvania schools to adopt policies prohibiting students from using personal cell phones throughout the school day, including during lunch, recess, and between classes, making Pennsylvania the 25th state to enact a bell-to-bell phone-free school policy.
The Governor's Office quoted several lawmakers and education figures on the school phone law. State Senator Steve Santarsiero said phones can unlock information but can also be a huge distraction with negative impacts on kids, calling the bill an important step. State Representative Mandy Steele said schools should be a place where children can learn and socialize without the constant distraction of their phones. Jonathan Haidt, author of The Anxious Generation, said that when students put their phones away for the day, they learn more from their teachers, develop longer attention spans, and have more fun with each other.
The Governor's Office said Shapiro has signed a total of 439 bills into law since taking office and will continue working to deliver for Pennsylvanians across the Commonwealth. The full list of the 58 bills is published with the announcement through Pennsylvania's legislative information system.
Related: Pennsylvania Governor Shapiro signs school cell phone ban, effective for the 2027-28 school year
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：位于哈里斯堡的宾夕法尼亚州议会大厦圆形大厅穹顶内景（资料图）。Acroterion 摄，CC BY-SA 4.0，来源：Wikimedia Commons / Photo: Interior of the dome of the Pennsylvania State Capitol rotunda in Harrisburg (file photo). Photo by Acroterion, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
