5 new Pa. laws, from AI ads to PFAS

"Forever chemicals" ban

• Pennsylvania will phase out firefighting foam containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), toxic "forever chemicals" linked to cancer and other health issues. The chemicals can linger in waterways for decades or longer.
• The law bans the sale and manufacture of PFAS in firefighting foam starting in July 2027 and its use in January 2028, with exceptions for airports, chemical plants and certain other facilities.
• It also phases out DEHP, a potentially harmful plastic additive, in IV bags starting in 2030 and IV tubing in 2035, with some exceptions.

Alicia's Law

• Alicia's Law establishes a state grant program providing up to $5 million annually to investigate and prosecute online crimes against children.

• The law takes its name from Alicia Kozak, a Pittsburgh-area survivor who was kidnapped and assaulted as a teenager by a man she met online. She now advocates for internet safety and missing persons. It takes effect immediately.

AI ad disclosures

• Pennsylvania will require advertisers to clearly label AI-generated content that could mislead consumers about products or services starting Dec. 21. Disclosures must appear alongside the content and be easy to see or hear — depending on the format.
• The law exempts satire, parody and commentary. Violators could face civil fines of up to $3,000, plus court costs. Political ads are not included in the law.

"Swatting" crackdown

• Following a wave of hoax emergency calls targeting Pennsylvania schools and colleges, a new law directs the state to recommend tougher sentencing guidelines for "swatting" threats against educational institutions.
• Recommended penalties could increase from probation to jail time or add months to existing jail sentences, depending on criminal history.
• Courts could also order offenders to reimburse emergency response costs, including equipment, wages and overtime. The law takes effect Dec. 21.

Cellphone ban

• Pennsylvania schools must ban student cellphone use from bell to bell, including recess and lunch, starting in the 2027-26 school year.
• The law covers public, charter and private K-12 schools. It allows exceptions for medical needs, English-language learners and school-approved instructional use.
• Schools must set their own policies to prevent device use, but the law doesn't explicitly require them to confiscate students' devices.

The bottom line: The new laws come as Pennsylvania's divided Legislature is on pace to pass fewer bills than in any two-year session since the 1970s, Spotlight PA reports.

• Lawmakers have yet to act on proposals to regulate skill games and automatic license plate readers, or limit data center tax breaks.