Argall Highlights New School Safety, Facilities and Workforce Laws

HARRISBURG - As students return to class, Sen. Dave Argall (R-29) is highlighting three new laws aimed at strengthening school safety, improving Pennsylvania's public school facilities and reducing barriers for licensed cosmetology professionals.

Argall's Senate Bill 1390 was incorporated into Act 20 of 2026, the 2026 school code, establishing uniform, high-quality standards for digital school mapping technology. The law addresses concerns that many schools rely on outdated or inconsistent floor plans that can make it more difficult for first responders, law enforcement and emergency personnel to navigate a building during a crisis.

Argall's Senate Bill 84 was also incorporated into this year's school code. The new law requires the Pennsylvania Department of Education to create a detailed statewide inventory of public school facilities. School entities will be required to provide information about their buildings, including location, capacity, age, size, ownership and how each facility is used, with the information updated every five years.

"With students and teachers heading back to school, we need to know exactly what our school building conditions are and, when an emergency occurs, make sure the people responding have the accurate information they need to get inside and better protect Pennsylvania students," Argall said.

Argall said the two initiatives complement one another by addressing both the long-term condition of school facilities and the immediate need for accurate information during an emergency. The 2026-27 state budget also includes $125 million for school infrastructure improvements.

The budget also included another Argall priority focused on cutting through red tape for Pennsylvania workers. Act 43 of 2026 authorizes Pennsylvania to join the Cosmetology Licensure Compact, allowing licensed cosmetology professionals to practice across participating states without having to obtain multiple licenses. The compact will help military families and other professionals who frequently move across state lines.

"Whether we are making our schools safer or making it easier for qualified Pennsylvanians to work, the goal is the same: eliminate unnecessary barriers and give people the tools they need to succeed," Argall said.