Pennsylvania Bills

passed · Pennsylvania · House Feb 4, 2026

HR 413: A Resolution recognizing "Black History Month" in Pennsylvania by commemorating the recently passed 50th anniversary of the closure of Freedom House Ambulance Service.

This House Resolution (HR 413) commemorates the 50th anniversary of the closure of Freedom House Ambulance Service, the first U.S. ambulance service staffed by professionally trained paramedics, which operated in Pittsburgh's Hill District from 1967 to 1975. It honors the service's role in pioneering emergency medical care in predominantly Black neighborhoods - where prior response times were slow and medical treatment was unavailable - and its influence on modern emergency medical systems nationwide. The resolution recognizes the service's 1968 founding (training 25 Black paramedics), its high response standards, and its legacy of advancing community health equity. As a commemorative resolution, it does not create new laws but formally acknowledges this milestone during Pennsylvania's Black History Month.

Aerion Abney (D) · 17 co-sponsors

passed · Pennsylvania · House Feb 4, 2026

HR 389: A Resolution recognizing the month of February 2026 as "Senior Independence Month" in Pennsylvania.

HR 389 is a symbolic resolution designating February 2026 as "Senior Independence Month" in Pennsylvania. It does not create new laws or programs but formally recognizes older adults' contributions and promotes community engagement through existing initiatives. The resolution urges all Pennsylvanians to honor seniors' achievements and support programs that foster independence, health, and social connection. This is a commemorative measure with no direct policy changes or financial impact.

Maureen Madden (D) · 24 co-sponsors

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 4, 2026

HB 2152: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in school safety and security, further providing for School Safety and Security Grant Program; and, in terms and courses of study, providing for secondary school start times.

HB 2152 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to allow school districts to use state grant funds for shifting secondary school start times to no earlier than 8:30 a.m., requiring the new time to be at least 15 minutes later than current start times. School entities must adopt a policy for the later start time and inform communities about the health and academic benefits of adequate sleep for students before implementation. The Department of Education must provide guidance and support to schools planning this change, including public awareness campaigns. This applies to all Pennsylvania school districts and charter schools serving grades 7-12.

Topics ✓ Education

Jill Cooper (R) · 28 co-sponsors

passed · Pennsylvania · House Feb 4, 2026

HR 398: A Resolution designating the week of March 15 through 21, 2026, as "Sunshine Week" in Pennsylvania.

This resolution designates the week of March 15-21, 2026, as "Sunshine Week" in Pennsylvania. It symbolically recognizes the importance of open government and public access to information, aligning with an annual observance started in 2005 by news organizations and open-government groups. The resolution urges all Pennsylvania residents to participate in raising awareness about transparency in government, without creating new laws or policies. It is a non-binding gesture supporting existing efforts to promote civic engagement around open records and meetings.

passed · Pennsylvania · House Feb 4, 2026

HR 409: A Resolution designating March 8, 2026, as "Charter Day" and Pennsylvania's 345th birthday in Pennsylvania.

This resolution designates March 8, 2026, as "Charter Day" and Pennsylvania's 345th birthday, commemorating the 1681 charter granted to William Penn by King Charles II. It urges Pennsylvania residents, schools, and historical organizations to participate in events hosted by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission and related institutions. The resolution is non-binding and aligns with the Commission's existing annual observance of this date. It does not create new laws or affect policy, but formally recognizes a historical milestone.

Rob Matzie (D) · 22 co-sponsors

passed · Pennsylvania · House Feb 4, 2026

HR 401: A Resolution recognizing the month of February 2026 as "Black History Month" in Pennsylvania and celebrating a century of immeasurable contributions, resilience and sacrifices of African Americans in helping to shape our Commonwealth and nation.

This resolution designates February 2026 as "Black History Month" in Pennsylvania, symbolically recognizing the century-long observance of African American contributions to the Commonwealth and nation. It directly affects all Pennsylvania residents by formally honoring the historical achievements, resilience, and sacrifices of African Americans, marking the 100th anniversary of the movement founded by Dr. Carter Godwin Woodson. The resolution includes historical context about the origins of Black History Month and Pennsylvania's connections to Black labor and civil rights history, but it has no binding policy effects.

Napoleon Nelson (D) · 29 co-sponsors

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 4, 2026

HB 2168: An Act amending the act of December 19, 1990 (P.L.1372, No.212), known as the Early Intervention Services System Act, in Statewide system for provision of early intervention services, further providing for administration by Department of Education.

HB 2168 amends Pennsylvania's Early Intervention Services System Act to clarify how state funds support early intervention services for children in private special education schools. It specifies that for children not eligible for public kindergarten programs, the state covers the full cost of their services, while for children eligible for public kindergarten, the state covers only the extra cost (above what public schools would pay). This change ensures funding aligns with each child's eligibility for public school services. The bill directly affects children receiving early intervention services and the Department of Education's budgeting for these programs.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 4, 2026

HB 2123: An Act amending Title 23 (Domestic Relations) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in jurisdiction and parties, further providing for representation; in proceedings prior to petition to adopt, further providing for home study and preplacement report; providing for adoption intermediary services and advertising; establishing the Adoption Intermediary Services Fund; and imposing penalties.

HB 2123 amends Pennsylvania's adoption laws to require separate legal representation for placing parents (those voluntarily giving up a child for adoption) in adoption proceedings, with strict rules preventing attorneys from representing both placing parents and prospective adoptive parents. The bill mandates that home studies include at least six hours of training on transracial adoption, attachment, and trauma-informed parenting for adoption agencies. It also establishes new regulations for adoption intermediary services (acting as a link between placing and prospective adoptive parents) and advertising, prohibiting payments to placing parents for placement and creating an Adoption Intermediary Services Fund managed by the Department of Human Services. These changes directly affect placing parents, prospective adoptive parents, adoption agencies, and intermediary service providers.

passed · Pennsylvania · House Feb 4, 2026

HR 399: A Resolution designating February 19, 2026, as "Wear Purple Day" in Pennsylvania.

This resolution designates February 19, 2026, as "Wear Purple Day" in Pennsylvania to raise awareness about sudden cardiac arrest in youth. It encourages residents, schools, and communities to wear purple in remembrance of children lost to cardiac events and in support of heart health initiatives like free screenings and AED access. The resolution has no binding policy changes - it is a symbolic observance honoring Peyton Walker's legacy and promoting prevention education.

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 4, 2026

HB 2169: An Act amending the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.343, No.176), known as The Fiscal Code, making editorial changes to delete references to "approved private school" for the purpose of adding references to "approved special education school."

HB 2169 amends Pennsylvania's Fiscal Code to update terminology in funding provisions for special education schools. It replaces references to "approved private school" with "approved special education school" in Section 1923(5), which governs how funds from the Public School Code (Section 2509.8) are allocated. The bill directly affects approved special education schools with day tuition under $32,000, requiring funding to be no less than 175% of the 2015-2016 allocation. This is a technical correction to align statutory language with current educational terminology, with no change to the underlying funding mechanism or eligibility criteria.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

passed · Pennsylvania · House Feb 4, 2026

HR 392: A Resolution recognizing the week of March 8 through 14, 2026, as "Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week" in Pennsylvania.

HR 392 is a ceremonial House Resolution designating the week of March 8-14, 2026, as "Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week" in Pennsylvania. It does not create new laws or policies but formally recognizes the issue and encourages Pennsylvanians to support efforts against multiple sclerosis. The resolution cites that over 24,000 people in Pennsylvania are affected by the disease and acknowledges the work of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. This is a symbolic gesture with no direct impact on funding, healthcare, or legislation.

Rob Matzie (D) · 23 co-sponsors

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 4, 2026

HB 2167: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, making editorial changes to delete references to "approved private school" for the purpose of adding references to "approved special education school."

HB 2167 is a purely editorial amendment to Pennsylvania's Public School Code of 1949. It updates references from "approved private school" to "approved special education school" in multiple sections (including Section 1376) that govern funding for students with disabilities. The bill makes no changes to funding formulas, payment amounts, or eligibility rules - only correcting outdated terminology to specifically reference special education schools. This adjustment ensures the law accurately reflects the type of institutions providing specialized education services.

Bill results