Pennsylvania Bills

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 141: An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, in personal income tax, further providing for imposition of tax.

This bill amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code to increase personal income tax rates for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025. It raises the tax rate for residents and nonresidents from 3.7% to 9.7% on all income, while maintaining a 3.7% rate for specific income categories. The legislation also clarifies how trust income is taxed by aligning Pennsylvania rules with federal Internal Revenue Code provisions regarding grantor trusts.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes

Rick Krajewski (D) · 43 co-sponsors

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 2316: An Act designating the Scarlet Tanager as the official migratory bird of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

This bill designates the Scarlet Tanager as Pennsylvania's official migratory bird, recognizing the species' importance to the state's natural heritage and ecosystems. The legislation formally acknowledges that Pennsylvania supports 17% of the global Scarlet Tanager population during breeding season and provides critical habitat in mature oak forests across the Commonwealth. By establishing this official designation, the bill aims to promote awareness of the bird's habitat needs and underscore the state's commitment to conservation and forest management. The act takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ Environment

Mandy Steele (D) · 26 co-sponsors

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 2285: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in school health services, further providing for health services; and, in reimbursements by Commonwealth and between school districts, further providing for State reimbursement for health services.

This bill updates Pennsylvania's Public School Code to require that every school building attended by students be assigned at least one school nurse, reducing the maximum number of students per nurse from 1,500 to 750. It also adjusts state reimbursement rates for school health services, increasing the per-student funding amount for the 2026-2027 school year and beyond. Additionally, the bill mandates that the Department of Health use up to $3 million in grants to provide feminine hygiene products to students at no cost to school entities, with grant amounts proportional to student enrollment. These changes directly affect school districts, the Department of Health, and students across Pennsylvania's public school system.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

Lisa Borowski (D) · 18 co-sponsors

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 2315: An Act amending the act of December 29, 1972 (P.L.1701, No.364), known as the Health Maintenance Organization Act, further providing for rules and regulations.

This bill amends Pennsylvania's Health Maintenance Organization Act to require health plans to cover basic services when referrals come from direct primary care providers who are not part of the plan's network. It defines direct primary care providers as licensed doctors or advanced practitioners who offer direct care through personal agreements with patients. The rule must be established within one year of the bill's effective date and applies to all health maintenance organizations operating in the state.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 2187: An Act amending the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.177, No.175), known as The Administrative Code of 1929, in administrative organization, further providing for criminal history background checks of employees and contractors with access to Federal tax information.

HB 2187 shortens the required interval for criminal background checks for Pennsylvania state employees and contractors who access Federal tax information, changing the frequency from every ten years to every five years. This amendment applies to personnel working in state agencies handling sensitive tax data, such as the Department of Revenue or tax-related programs. The bill updates Section 226(e) of the 1929 Administrative Code to mandate these more frequent checks without altering the initial clearance process. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

passed · Pennsylvania · House Mar 24, 2026

HR 385: A Resolution designating March 21, 2026, as "Rosie the Riveter Day" in Pennsylvania and honoring the service and contributions of the millions of women who entered the workforce during World War II.

This Pennsylvania House resolution designates March 21, 2026, as "Rosie the Riveter Day" to honor women who worked in factories during World War II, particularly those in Pennsylvania. It specifically recognizes the contributions of women who filled critical manufacturing roles - like building ships, aircraft, and weapons - as Pennsylvania became known as "The Arsenal of America." The resolution coincides with the 100th birthday of Mae Krier, a WWII worker and advocate for the Congressional Gold Medal honoring all "Rosie the Riveters." As a commemorative resolution, it has no legal effect but serves to publicly acknowledge this historical workforce.

passed · Pennsylvania · House Mar 24, 2026

HR 406: A Resolution recognizing the month of March 2026 as "National Social Work Month" in Pennsylvania.

This resolution designates March 2026 as "National Social Work Month" in Pennsylvania. It symbolically recognizes the contributions of social workers who support vulnerable populations, address mental health needs, and advocate for policies like minimum wage and poverty reduction. The resolution has no binding effect - it encourages Pennsylvanians to join the National Association of Social Workers in celebrating the profession during that month. It does not create new policies, allocate funding, or directly affect any specific group.

Carol Hill-Evans (D) · 28 co-sponsors

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 336: An Act amending the act of June 13, 1907 (P.L.560, No.373), entitled "An act designating the official flag of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and describing the same; providing for the carrying of such flag by the regiments of the National Guard of Pennsylvania; authorizing the Secretary of the Commonwealth to provide, and have deposited in the office of Secretary of the Commonwealth, a model of said flag, and making an appropriation therefor," further providing for title of act; and providing for the proper procedure to fold the designated flag of the Commonwealth.

HB 336 amends Pennsylvania's 1907 law designating the state flag by adding specific folding instructions for official display. The bill details a five-step procedure to fold the flag, including forming a triangle to display the Commonwealth crest and creating a mirror image fold. It directly affects state officials, the National Guard, and entities handling the flag for ceremonies or display. This procedural update does not change the flag's design or usage rights but standardizes its presentation. The bill was introduced in 2025 and takes immediate effect.

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 300: An Act amending the act of October 27, 1955 (P.L.744, No.222), known as the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, further providing for the title of the act, for findings and declaration of policy, for right to freedom from discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodation, for definitions, for unlawful discriminatory practices and for prohibition of certain real estate practices; providing for protection of religious exercise; and further providing for powers and duties of the commission and for construction and exclusiveness of remedy.

HB 300 amends Pennsylvania's Human Relations Act to add explicit protections for religious exercise alongside existing anti-discrimination rules. It directly affects employers, housing providers, and businesses offering public accommodations by prohibiting discrimination based on religion in employment, housing, and public services. The bill updates the law to include religious freedom as a protected category under anti-discrimination provisions. It also clarifies the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission's authority to enforce these protections. The amendment does not create new enforcement mechanisms but integrates religious exercise protections into the existing framework of the 1955 Act.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Labor & Employment

Malcolm Kenyatta (D) · 53 co-sponsors

passed · Pennsylvania · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 804: An Act amending Title 35 (Health and Safety) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for medical devices.

SB 804 amends Pennsylvania's health and safety laws to ban the intentional addition of DEHP and certain ortho-phthalates (like BBP, DBP, DINP) in medical devices. It specifically targets intravenous (IV) solution containers (like IV bags) and IV tubing used in hospitals and healthcare facilities. The bill prohibits manufacturers from adding these chemicals to medical devices if they serve a functional purpose, requiring notice of such additions. This affects device manufacturers and healthcare facilities purchasing these products, directly changing manufacturing standards for common medical equipment.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

passed · Pennsylvania · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 614: An Act amending the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.343, No.176), known as The Fiscal Code, providing for primary care workforce initiative; and making an appropriation.

SB 614 amends Pennsylvania's Fiscal Code to establish a state-funded initiative supporting workforce development for Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), which are community health centers serving rural and underserved areas. The bill directly affects FQHCs by providing funding to recruit and retain primary care staff, addressing documented shortages in these facilities. Key provisions include creating a dedicated funding stream within the state budget specifically for FQHC workforce expansion, with appropriations to cover hiring and training costs. This policy change aims to strengthen primary care access in communities with limited healthcare resources through targeted financial support.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 979: An Act amending Title 53 (Municipalities Generally) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in consolidated county assessment, further providing for changes in assessed valuation.

SB 979 would prevent property tax increases for minor home improvements (20% or less of a property’s current assessed value) on primary residences under specific conditions. The bill prohibits assessors from raising taxes if the home has been the owner’s primary residence for at least five years from the improvement date and this is the first time such minor improvements have been made during ownership. It also explicitly excludes normal repairs and painting from triggering tax reassessments. This bill directly affects homeowners in Pennsylvania making small renovations to their primary homes.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

Bill results