As 2025 begins, the Philadelphia area sees the introduction of several new laws, and it’s affecting everything from grocery shopping to health care and wages.
In Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, the ban on single-use plastic bags kicked off on January 1.
Now, shoppers are faced with the option of bringing their own bags or paying for reusable or paper alternatives.
Some might find adjusting a bit inconvenient, especially when a trip to the store now requires remembering bags or paying for an extra cost.
While it may be a small change, the city’s move to eliminate non-recyclable paper and plastic bags is seen by some as a step toward better environmental practices, despite some likely feeling that it’s a hassle in the short term.
Many local stores are now offering reusable bags for a modest $1.50, while paper bags come with a 15-cent fee.
It’s a shift that may take some getting used to for regular shoppers, but it’s clear the city intends to promote sustainability, even if not everyone is on board just yet.
Some may prefer to skip the bags altogether and carry their groceries unbagged, especially when paying extra doesn’t appeal to them.
The plastic bag ban is only one of several new laws making waves in 2025.
In Pennsylvania, the Safe Haven Law has expanded, now allowing parents to safely surrender newborns at urgent care centers within the first 28 days of life.
This extension provides more options for parents who may feel they have nowhere else to turn.
On the healthcare front, Pennsylvania has introduced legislation ensuring that more health insurance plans, including Medicaid, will now cover biomarker testing for cancer.
The American Cancer Society has hailed this as a breakthrough, as it can significantly impact survival rates, particularly for those with specific types of lung cancer.
With these tests, patients have seen a marked reduction in their risk of death, so it’s a vital step in improving care and outcomes.
Delaware, too, is implementing significant changes, especially regarding abortion access. The state now requires Medicaid and private insurance to cover abortion costs.
On top of that, Delaware’s minimum wage is set to rise to $15 an hour in 2025, mirroring similar increases in New Jersey.
New Jersey’s minimum wage will also rise to $15.49 an hour, but residents there will also face a 16-cent increase in tolls on the New Jersey Turnpike. Thus, traveling will become a little more expensive.
Back in Pennsylvania, 1,300 state officials, including Governor Josh Shapiro and all members of the state legislature, are set to receive a 3.4% pay raise.
This pay increase stands in stark contrast to the state’s minimum wage, which has been stuck at $7.25 an hour for 15 years.
While officials see a pay increase, the average Pennsylvanian’s wage has not changed in over a decade.
Another notable shift in Pennsylvania law is the new provision for first responders.
A change to the Worker’s Compensation Act allows these essential workers to apply for compensation in the event of a post-traumatic stress injury, which will take effect later this year.
This legislation acknowledges the mental health challenges faced by those in high-stress jobs.
Finally, New Jersey has passed a law addressing the state’s educator shortage by removing the basic skills test requirement for teaching candidates.
The law seeks to streamline the process and increase the number of qualified teachers in the state. Consequently, it will be much easier for aspiring educators to enter the profession.
As these new laws take effect across the region, 2025 will undoubtedly bring many changes to daily life for Philly-area residents—from the cost of groceries to the wages in their paychecks.
It’s normal for these shifts to feel unsettling at first, but they reflect broader efforts to adapt to new needs and concerns in the community.
