An Act amending Title 15 (Corporations and Unincorporated Associations) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in entities generally, providing for the offense of false, deceptive or misleading names; and imposing a penalty.

SB 1271 makes it a crime for businesses in Pennsylvania to use names that falsely suggest they are connected to or endorsed by state or local governments. The law prohibits using words, symbols, or domain names that could confuse the public into thinking an entity is official, unless the government has given written permission for the name. If a business violates this rule, they could face a third-degree felony charge with a potential fine of up to $15,000 or a prison sentence of up to seven years. However, companies can avoid penalties if they clearly and prominently display a disclaimer on their materials stating they are not affiliated with any government agency. The bill also requires that any government authorization for such names be reported to the state legislature within 10 days.