Pennsylvania Bills

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 31, 2026

HB 2354: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in certification of teachers, further providing for evaluation of applications for certification.

This Pennsylvania bill directs the Department of Education to create a one-time fee waiver for teacher certification applicants who narrowly failed an assessment. To qualify, an individual must have missed the passing score by three points or fewer, have taken the test only once before, and plan to retake it within one year of seeing their initial results. The Department is required to publish this policy online and share it with teacher training programs and alternative certification providers. The law takes effect 60 days after being signed into law.

Topics ✓ Education

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 31, 2026

HB 2345: An Act amending Title 44 (Law and Justice) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, establishing the Domestic Violence Home Security Grant Program; and imposing duties on the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.

This bill establishes the Domestic Violence Home Security Grant Program within the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency to provide financial assistance to victims of domestic violence. The program allows eligible individuals to purchase residential security measures such as reinforced locks, security cameras, alarm systems, and motion-detection lighting to enhance their home safety. Applicants must submit documentation proving they are victims of abuse, and the commission may prioritize funding for those facing elevated risks, such as recent separation from an abuser or the presence of children. All personal information provided by applicants will remain confidential, and the commission is responsible for reviewing applications, determining grant amounts, and notifying applicants of decisions.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 31, 2026

HB 2343: An Act amending Titles 23 (Domestic Relations) and 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in protection from abuse, further providing for definitions and for relief; and, in sentencing, providing for electronic monitoring with victim notification.

This bill expands Pennsylvania's protection from abuse laws by allowing courts to establish specific geographic 'exclusion zones' that defendants cannot enter. It authorizes the use of GPS electronic monitoring devices for defendants in protection orders or sentencing, which would automatically alert law enforcement and, with the victim's consent, the victim if the defendant enters a prohibited area. The bill also clarifies that the defendant is responsible for paying all costs related to the monitoring equipment and services.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Technology

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 31, 2026

HB 2346: An Act amending Title 23 (Domestic Relations) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in property rights, further providing for equitable division of marital property; and, in alimony and support, further providing for alimony.

This bill amends Pennsylvania laws to restrict financial support and asset division in divorce cases involving domestic violence. Specifically, it prevents a spouse convicted of a personal injury crime against their partner from receiving alimony or a share of marital property, unless the court determines that denying these benefits would cause a significant injustice. The legislation also clarifies that marital misconduct occurring after the final separation is generally not a factor in alimony decisions, with the notable exception of abuse. These changes take effect 60 days after the bill is enacted.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Mar 31, 2026

SB 724: An Act providing for regulation of large load customers and public utilities and for community benefits agreements between large load customers and community-based organizations; establishing the Data Center LIHEAP Enhancement Fund; and imposing duties on the Department of Human Services and the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission.

This bill, known as the Data Center Fair Share Act, requires large data centers in Pennsylvania that consume significant amounts of electricity to negotiate binding agreements with local community organizations. These agreements must include specific, measurable benefits for the host community, such as job training or infrastructure support, and the bill also mandates that these facilities make financial contributions to help pay for local power grid upgrades. Additionally, the legislation creates a new fund to support low-income households with energy bills and directs state agencies to create temporary regulations within 120 days to enforce these new requirements on large energy users.

Topics ✓ Energy

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 31, 2026

HB 2342: An Act amending the act of December 15, 1982 (P.L.1291, No.292), known as the Medicare Supplement Insurance Act, providing for applications for medicare supplement policies.

This bill amends Pennsylvania's Medicare Supplement Insurance Act to allow individuals to switch insurance companies without being denied coverage or facing higher prices due to their health status or medical history. It specifically applies to people aged 65 or older who are already enrolled in Medicare and wish to change their current supplement plan within 60 days of their birthday while keeping the same type of coverage. Under the new rules, a new policy issued under these conditions must take effect on the first day of the month that is at least 30 days after the application is signed, and the changes will become effective on January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed · Pennsylvania · House Mar 31, 2026

HB 1834: An Act providing for the regulation of commercial data centers; imposing duties on the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, the Department of Human Services and the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority; establishing the Data Center Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program Enhancement Account and the Pennsylvania Energy Independence Account; providing for clean firm energy requirements, contract filing, commission review, disclosure requirements, backup generation standards, curtailment standards and certification and expedited interconnection for commercial data centers bringing incremental clean firm energy resources; and imposing penalties.

HB 1834 requires commercial data centers in Pennsylvania to pay fees to the state. These fees fund a new Data Center LIHEAP Enhancement Fund, which boosts assistance for low-income households struggling with energy costs. The bill also mandates that data centers meet specific renewable energy targets and allows them to recover certain operational costs through regulated rates. The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) and Department of Human Services are tasked with implementing these requirements and managing the fund.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy

Rob Matzie (D) · 43 co-sponsors

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 2329: An Act amending the act of June 3, 1937 (P.L.1333, No.320), known as the Pennsylvania Election Code, in voting by qualified absentee electors, further providing for voting by absentee electors and for canvassing of official absentee ballots and mail-in ballots; and, in voting by qualified mail-in electors, further providing for voting by mail-in electors.

This bill amends Pennsylvania's Election Code to change the deadline for receiving absentee and mail-in ballots from election day to the seventh day following the election. It allows voters who declare under penalty of perjury that their ballot was timely submitted to have their ballots counted even if they lack a postmark or have an unreadable one. The changes apply to both traditional absentee voters and new mail-in voters, ensuring ballots received by the extended deadline are processed and counted. The legislation would take effect 60 days after passage.

Chris Pielli (D) · 29 co-sponsors

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 2328: An Act amending the act of June 3, 1937 (P.L.1333, No.320), known as the Pennsylvania Election Code, in primary and election expenses, further providing for definitions and providing for candidate remuneration.

This bill modifies Pennsylvania election laws to allow candidates for statewide and legislative offices to receive direct payments from their political committees while running for office. The legislation defines "remuneration" as direct payments to candidates, excluding reimbursements and loan repayments, and sets a maximum limit equal to 50% of the annual salary of a state representative. Eligible offices include Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, and all state and federal legislative positions, with payments distributed on a daily basis between nomination filing and the election date. Candidates cannot receive these payments after winning or losing an election beyond 20 days, and current public officials are excluded from receiving remuneration under this new provision.

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 2335: An Act amending the act of May 22, 1951 (P.L.317, No.69), known as The Professional Nursing Law, further providing for definitions and for scope of practice for certified registered nurse anesthetists.

This bill amends Pennsylvania's Professional Nursing Law to update the legal definitions and scope of practice for certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs). It allows CRNAs to perform anesthesia services under the overall direction of a physician, podiatrist, or dentist who is present and available onsite during the procedure. The legislation grants CRNAs expanded authority to prescribe and administer certain medications, order and interpret diagnostic tests, and manage patient care throughout the anesthesia process, including preoperative preparation, induction, maintenance, and post-anesthesia care. These changes formalize the professional responsibilities of CRNAs within the state's nursing regulatory framework without altering the requirement for collaborative oversight by licensed medical professionals.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Lisa Borowski (D) · 30 co-sponsors

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 2325: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, providing for educator expenses tax credit.

This bill creates a tax credit for Pennsylvania educators who purchase instructional materials or supplies for classroom use. Professional employees in public, charter, cyber, and nonpublic schools can claim a credit equal to the amount they spent on qualifying expenses, up to a maximum of $500 per year. The Department of Revenue will establish rules to determine which expenses qualify and must publish guidelines online while submitting annual reports on program usage. The credit applies to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2025, and cannot be carried forward, carried back, sold, or assigned.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 2327: An Act amending the act of June 3, 1937 (P.L.1333, No.320), known as the Pennsylvania Election Code, in the Secretary of the Commonwealth, further providing for powers and duties of the Secretary of the Commonwealth; and, in county boards of elections, further providing for powers and duties of county boards.

This bill amends Pennsylvania's Election Code to establish a standardized naming system for election districts across the state. It requires the Secretary of the Commonwealth to create and maintain a uniform naming convention for all election districts, while county boards of elections must assign and input district names according to this standard. The changes apply to both state and local election officials and are set to take effect 60 days after passage.

Bill results