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In this Update:

• Bill to End Illegal Alien “CDL Mills” Now Law
• Pennsylvania Has New Tools to Solve Violent Crimes
• Red Tape Slashed for PA Cosmetology Workers
• Booking a Tour of Your State Capitol
• Consider a Future as an Emergency Medical Services Provider

Bill to End Illegal Alien “CDL Mills” Now Law         

Article 4, Section 4 of the United States Constitution clearly stipulates that our government “shall guarantee to every state in this Union a Republican form of government and shall protect each of them against INVASION.”

In addition to being recognized as a major hot spot for sex trafficking, domestic servitude, prostitution and organized crime, the Keystone State is rapidly becoming a well-known haven for illegal aliens seeking to obtain commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs).

In 2025, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted a raid in Oklahoma and identified 12 illegal aliens who possessed CDLs issued by PennDOT.

This past February, an illegal alien was arrested in Indiana after tragically killing four people while operating a truck because he had obtained a CDL issued by PennDOT.

Senate Bill 1294 was recently signed into law as Act 50 of 2026 and specifically addresses “CDL mills,” where illegal aliens were able to easily obtain certifications to get a CDL.

Act 50 increases the maximum civil penalty for operating an unauthorized CDL school from $2,500 to $25,000, giving the state Department of Education a stronger enforcement tool to stop illegal operations and discourage violations.

It is time for PA House Democrats to call up the other two measures of this three-bill package which would require English proficiency for CDL licensure in Pennsylvania (Senate Bill 1295) and impose even more severe penalties for out-of-service violations issued to unsafe CDL drivers (Senate Bill 1296).

Read more about improving commercial vehicle safety here.

To report suspected immigration violations or criminal activity use the online ICE Tip Form or call the ICE Tip Line at 1-866-347-2423 (1-866-DHS-2-ICE).

Pennsylvania Has New Tools to Solve Violent Crimes

Law enforcement agencies will be able to access new tools to boost clearance rates for homicide and other violent crime cases through a new state law. 

The Violent Incident Clearance and Technological Investigative Methods (VICTIM) Act was enacted with the new state budget. The law establishes a grant program administered by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency to help police hire and retain detectives and investigators, and upgrade technology used to analyze evidence.

Solving more violent crimes will help make communities safer by getting offenders off the streets while also serving as a deterrent to would-be criminals who know their crimes will not go unanswered.

Red Tape Slashed for PA Cosmetology Workers

Legislation to streamline licensing for the cosmetology workforce has been signed into law, a major step in addressing Pennsylvania’s ongoing workforce shortages.

Act 43 of 2026 authorizes Pennsylvania to join the Cosmetology Licensure Compact, an interstate agreement that makes it easier for licensed cosmetologists — who provide treatments for hair, skin and nails — to obtain a multistate license and work in participating states without unnecessary red tape. It also ensures cosmetology professionals in active-duty military families face no burdensome licensure requirements in compact states.

Pennsylvania is the 13th state to enter the compact, joining neighboring states Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland and Delaware. Read more about this new law here.

Booking a Tour of Your State Capitol

Summer is a great time to tour your state Capitol, a National Historic Landmark featuring Renaissance designs, paintings, stained glass and furnishings by some of the best artisans in the world.

Scheduling in advance is recommended, but walk-ins are welcome according to availability. Tours take approximately 30-45 minutes and are limited to 40 guests total per tour. Self-guided tours do not take place on weekends and holidays.

More than the seat of Pennsylvania’s government, the Capitol is a magnificent symbol of the hopes and vision of the commonwealth that gave birth to a nation. Find details and book a tour here.

Consider a Future as an Emergency Medical Services Provider

You could have a future in Emergency Medical Services, a critical component of healthy communities.

Find out what it takes to be an EMS provider and get your start with the state Department of Health’s Bureau of Emergency Medical Services.

The site includes EMS education, information and resources, regional EMS council contact information and more.