According to an article in the Philadelphia Inquirer, new Pennsylvania laws taking effect in 2013 include:

• The maximum fine for someone under the age of 18 caught drinking will increase from $300 to $500 for the first offense, and the penalty is $1,000 on the second offense.

• The voting rules for people living overseas (servicemen and women, and others) and voting in Pennsylvania will be simplified

• Contractors on public-works projects must verify that their employees are legal residents.

• Some school employees must be trained on recognizing child abuse, on the  legal reporting obligations, and what relationship are appropriate with children.  Three hours of training every five years is now mandatory.

• Aspects of the animal euthanasia law take effect this year, which prohibits the use of carbon monoxide gas and drowning, as well as other methods, to put animals down. The new law also makes it easier for animal shelters to obtain drugs for more humane methods of animal euthanasia.

• Contributions on both sides of the unemployment trust fund will increase, which will be used to make bond payments on borrowing to eliminate the state’s debt to the federal government.

• Revised regulations for farm vehicles go into place.

• The laws on games of chance are expanded – it allows for new games for fundraisers and other nonprofits, including 50/50 drawings.