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Pennsylvania has delayed its Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP, to December due to the federal government shutdown, which has held up millions of dollars in federal funding the state usually uses to run the program.

This leaves Pennsylvanians waiting longer for help paying their heating bills, buying fuel or fixing broken heaters.

Gov. Josh Shapiro announced Wednesday his administration had secured commitments from Pennsylvania utility companies not to shut off service for low-income customers during November.

While utility customers impacted by the delay will not lose service, if they fall behind on their bills, they could face termination in the spring when the state’s winter shutoff moratorium ends. What’s more, people who heat their homes with fuel oil are not protected by these shutoff bans.

State utility regulators are urging customers struggling with bills to call their utilities early to ask about assistance options and payment plans.

With LIHEAP delayed, here are other resources to help heat your Pennsylvania home.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) — Pennsylvania has new laws regarding how school districts report weapon offenses and regarding Bluetooth listening devices for motorcyclists.

The laws will be implemented in the next 60 days after being signed by Governor Josh Shapiro on Thursday.

Reporting school weapon offenses

Before Senate Bill 246 was signed, school districts did not have to let guardians or parents know if weapons were brought onto campus or to school-related events. The only time families were mandated to be told is when there was an expulsion for having the weapon.

Now, districts are required to be transparent when there is a weapons offense incident.

 “Our goal is to ensure and ensure that parents, guardians, and school employees are informed in a timely manner of any incidents with the potential to affect their children and the safety of the school,” SB 246’s prime sponsor is Senator Jarrett Coleman (R-Lehigh) wrote in his memo.

Senate Bill 971 from last session is also being reintroduced with the goal of making the reports timelier to families.

SB 246 passed the Senate in October after getting a 48-2 vote before being signed by Shapiro.

Bluetooth listening devices for motorcyclists

House Bill 646, primarily sponsored by State Rep. Zachary Mako (R-Lehigh/Northampton), will allow motorcyclists to use helmets with built-in Bluetooth communication speakers or wireless headsets/earbuds.

In his memo, Mako said he thinks the law should be updated to reflect current times.

“I believe this law should be updated to better reflect the times, with the advent of wireless headsets, earbuds/earphones and Bluetooth communication/speakers built into helmets that a majority of riders use and should not be penalized for,” the memo reads.

With a 47-3 vote, the bill passed the Senate before being signed by Shapiro.