Its probably too late now for any suggestions because the patch is probably ready for release, but here's to future changes.
In the patch, both cons and penals will benefit from conscript repair package. This is a great change which adds versatility without making the ability too strong. It would be nice if conscript assault package got the same treatment where it would give access to ppsh for both cons and penals. Wehrmacht already has jaeger light infantry upgrade which affects grenadiers, panzergrenadiers and stormtroopers which is awesome and I don't see a reason why soviets shouldn't get the same privilege.
Penal Battalions benefitted from the airborne doctrine giving them six PPSH-41s at one command point. This was theoretically the earliest time you could get ppshs and it was pretty fun to do so.
wouldn't hurt to have a similar ability back at 1cp , since nobody used it before anyway