HB 197 Pennsylvania House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

An Act amending the act of February 14, 2008 (P.L.6, No.3), known as the Right-to-Know Law, in requirements and prohibitions, further providing for Commonwealth agencies.

HB 197 amends Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law (P.L.6, No.3), which governs public access to government records. The bill changes requirements and prohibitions for Commonwealth agencies regarding how they handle public records requests. As of September 10, 2025, the bill was laid on the table after being reported as amended, meaning it is currently inactive in the legislative process. It directly affects state agencies that must manage public records requests and citizens seeking government information.

Bill status in committee 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Sep 2025

House Passage

Jun 2025

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 16, 2025 Last action Sep 10, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Printer's No. PN0144 → Printer's No. PN1818 · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to update the printer's number and add new sponsors and committee reporting information. The most significant substantive change allows Commonwealth agencies to use call distribution systems that queue and direct calls to available employees, rather than prohibiting all automated answering systems. This creates an exception for standard call routing technology while still requiring agencies to provide options to speak with live employees.

Scope change

The bill now explicitly permits call distribution systems that queue and direct incoming calls to available employees, while still requiring agencies to offer live employee contact options.

REQUIREMENT

Changed the requirement for telephone call access to allow call distribution systems that queue and direct calls to available employees, rather than prohibiting all automated answering systems.

TECHNICAL

Added new sponsors (Cerrato and Green) to the bill sponsorship list.

Added committee reporting language indicating the bill was reported from the Communications and Technology Committee on June 3, 2025.

Updated printer's number from PN 144 to PN 1818 and added 'PRIOR PRINTER'S NO. 144' reference.

Floor votes · House Jun 3, 2025

How they voted

26–0

Passed

Total votes 26

Jun 3, 2025

D Democratic14

14 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican12

12 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Sep 10, 2025

Lower · Passed

Re-reported as committed

lower

Jun 3, 2025

House · Passed

House Vote: pass (26-0)

house

Jun 3, 2025

Committee

Re-committed to Rules

lower

Jun 3, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported as amended

lower

Jan 16, 2025

Committee

Referred to Communications & Technology

lower

1 primary · 15 co-sponsors