Gov. Wolf Signs New Law, Vetoes 2 Bills

HARRISBURG, PA —Gov. Tom Wolf this week signed a new bill into law, and vetoed two.

House Bill 770, which relates to requirements regarding the education, training and registration of pharmacy technicians, was signed. The bill, sponsored by Democrat Anthony DeLuca of Allegheny County, is called a "commonsense approach" to requiring specific requirements for pharmacy technicians in the state. Under the law, technicians will register with the State Board of Pharmacy and will be required to have a high school diploma, complete a board-approved training program, and pass a criminal background check.

Previously, Pennsylvania was one of only four states that did not regulate pharmacy technician positions.

The governor also vetoed House bills 21 and 1737.

House Bill 21 would have created a new license for home inspectors regulated by the State Board of Certified Real Estate Appraisers, separate and apart from the existing regulatory framework provided by Act 114 of 2000. Wolf, in a veto message, said "instead of creating a new license class imposing new barriers," lawmakers should evaluate existing laws to improve upon that framework.

Wolf said he voted House Bill 1737, which would have expanded protections for COVID-19-related lawsuits, because it provided "broad, overreaching immunity from civil liability during the current pandemic."

The bill, sponsored by Republican Barbara Gleim of Cumberland County, "invites the potential for carelessness and a disregard for public safety," the governor said in his veto message.

Last week, Wolf signed more than two dozen bills into law. He also vetoed three bills.