Pennsylvania Bills

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 26, 2026

HR 400: A Resolution urging the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, in consultation and cooperation with the United States Secretary of State and relevant Federal partners, to compile and publicize information on reputable humanitarian, nonprofit and faith-based organizations through which the residents of Pennsylvania may provide assistance for humanitarian relief in Haiti.

This House Resolution urges Pennsylvania's Secretary of the Commonwealth to collaborate with the U.S. Secretary of State and federal partners to compile and publicly share a list of vetted humanitarian, nonprofit, and faith-based organizations in Haiti. It aims to help Pennsylvania residents - particularly those with Haitian connections - safely and effectively support relief efforts amid Haiti's ongoing crisis. The resolution also encourages state agencies and community groups to identify ethical partnership opportunities for aiding Haitian recovery, aligning with recent UN humanitarian reports on Haiti's needs. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws but requests coordinated action to streamline assistance pathways.

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 26, 2026

HR 397: A Resolution urging the Congress of the United States to pass H.R. 2540, the SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act, and increase resource limits for Supplemental Security Income.

This Pennsylvania House resolution (HR 397) urges the U.S. Congress to pass H.R. 2540, the SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act. The resolution supports increasing Supplemental Security Income (SSI) resource limits from $2,000 (individual) and $3,000 (couple) to $10,000 and $20,000, respectively - adjusting for inflation since 1989. It directly affects SSI recipients (primarily seniors, people with disabilities, and low-income individuals) who currently lose benefits or face penalties for holding savings or assets above current limits. The resolution notes that current rules cause over 70,000 annual benefit reductions and 40,000 terminations, limiting financial security and housing options.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Joe Hohenstein (D) · 22 co-sponsors

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jan 23, 2026

SR 210: A Resolution designating January 23, 2026, as "Maternal Health Awareness Day" in Pennsylvania to recognize all the women and birthing people who die from complications of pregnancy or childbirth.

Senate Resolution 210 designates January 23, 2026, as "Maternal Health Awareness Day" in Pennsylvania to honor women and birthing people who die from pregnancy or childbirth complications. The resolution highlights Pennsylvania data showing Black women and birthing people experience a maternal mortality rate of 186 deaths per 100,000 live births - over twice the state average - reflecting racial disparities in maternal health outcomes. This symbolic designation aims to raise public awareness about maternal mortality and support ongoing efforts to address this public health issue, as referenced in the 2025 Pennsylvania Maternal Mortality Review Report.

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jan 23, 2026

SR 212: A Resolution designating the week of January 25 through 31, 2026, as "Catholic Schools Week" in Pennsylvania and expressing congratulations and appreciation to Catholic elementary and secondary schools across this Commonwealth.

This resolution designates January 25-31, 2026, as "Catholic Schools Week" in Pennsylvania. It formally expresses the Senate's appreciation for Catholic elementary and secondary schools across the state, which educate over 100,000 students. The resolution has no binding effect or policy changes - it is a symbolic gesture recognizing these schools' role in education and community values. It directly honors Catholic schools and their contributions to Pennsylvania communities.

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jan 23, 2026

SB 1149: An Act amending the act of April 14, 1972 (P.L.233, No.64), known as The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act, further providing for authority to control.

This bill requires Pennsylvania to align its scheduling of synthetic psilocybin with federal changes. Specifically, it mandates that after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approves a federal scheduling change for synthetic psilocybin, the Pennsylvania Secretary of Health must schedule it within five business days and the change takes effect 30 days after publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. The law directly affects state health authorities and regulatory processes, ensuring Pennsylvania’s rules mirror federal actions without creating new medical uses or penalties. It does not alter current state restrictions but establishes a procedural mechanism for future alignment.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jan 23, 2026

SR 207: A Resolution urging the Congress of the United States to advance and enact the Restore Trust in Congress Act to prohibit stock trading by members of Congress and their immediate family members.

This Pennsylvania Senate resolution (SR 207) urges the U.S. Congress to pass the bipartisan Restore Trust in Congress Act (H.R. 5106). The resolution calls for prohibiting members of Congress, their spouses, and dependent children from owning or trading individual stocks. It aims to address public concerns about potential conflicts of interest when lawmakers use nonpublic policy information for personal financial gain through stock trades. The resolution emphasizes restoring trust in government by requiring federal lawmakers to prioritize public service over personal financial benefit.

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 21, 2026

HB 2153: An Act amending the act of June 27, 2006 (1st Sp.Sess., P.L.1873, No.1), known as the Taxpayer Relief Act, in taxation by school districts, further providing for definitions, providing for disposition of data center property tax revenue and further providing for school district tax notices.

HB 2153 amends Pennsylvania's Taxpayer Relief Act to redirect property tax revenue from data centers toward tax relief for homeowners and farmers. It defines "data center" as facilities primarily housing AI infrastructure (including servers, power systems, and AI equipment) and requires school districts to use all revenue from data center property taxes to fund homestead and farmstead tax exclusions. In the first fiscal year data center taxes are fully collected, all revenue must cover these exclusions; in subsequent years, the amount equals the first year's revenue. School districts must itemize these exclusions on tax bills, showing the original tax, exclusion amount, and final payment. This directly affects school districts collecting data center taxes and homeowners/farmers receiving reduced tax bills.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✗ Education

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jan 20, 2026

SB 1144: An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in sentencing, providing for sentencing for certain aggravated cruelty to animal offenses.

This bill amends Pennsylvania's sentencing guidelines to require harsher penalties for aggravated animal cruelty when a deadly weapon is used. It directs the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing to create specific guidelines that increase sentences for offenses under 18 Pa.C.S. § 5534(a)(2) (aggravated cruelty to animals) when a deadly weapon is involved. The bill defines "deadly weapon" broadly to include firearms, dangerous weapons, and any device capable of causing serious harm. This change directly affects individuals convicted of aggravated animal cruelty who used such weapons, potentially leading to longer prison terms under the updated sentencing framework.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jan 20, 2026

SB 1143: An Act amending Title 23 (Domestic Relations) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in child protective services, further providing for employees having contact with children and adoptive and foster parents.

This bill amends Pennsylvania law to strengthen background checks for individuals working with children in childcare settings. It prohibits hiring or approving applicants with certain criminal histories, including convictions for strangulation, arson, interstate domestic violence, or being listed on sex offender or child abuse perpetrator registries. The rule applies specifically to employers, administrators, and volunteers at child day-care centers, group day-care homes, and family child-care homes. The changes take effect 60 days after enactment.

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jan 20, 2026

SB 1140: An Act amending the act of October 25, 2012 (P.L.1618, No.197), known as the National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline Notification Act, further providing for definitions; providing for training requirements for public lodging establishments and for training requirements for third-party listing platforms and rental operators; further providing for enforcement, for violation, for affirmative defenses, for administrative penalties and for criminal penalties; and imposing duties on the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.

SB 1140 amends Pennsylvania’s National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline Notification Act to expand training requirements for businesses directly involved in lodging or short-term rentals. It requires hotels, motels, and similar public lodging establishments (offering >10 rooms) to provide human trafficking awareness training to all employees and third-party contractors managing staff who access guest areas. Short-term rental operators and platforms listing such rentals must also implement training for their workers. The bill mandates training completion within 90 days of hire or the law’s effective date, with valid training lasting two years, while allowing prior training to count if completed within the past year.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 20, 2026

HB 2149: An Act establishing the Executive Functioning and Study Skills Grant Program for public school entities and the Executive Functioning and Study Skills Fund.

HB 2149 establishes a grant program to help Pennsylvania public schools teach students in grades 6-12 executive functioning and study skills, such as time management, stress reduction, and note-taking. The Pennsylvania Department of Education will administer annual grants for schools to implement evidence-based programs during or after school hours, focusing on skills like goal setting, organization, and memory techniques. Schools must apply yearly by December 15 with detailed plans on fund usage, and grants must supplement - never replace - existing school budgets. The Department will review applications, disburse funds, and monitor compliance to ensure proper use of resources.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jan 20, 2026

SB 1147: An Act amending the act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), known as the Human Services Code, in public assistance, further providing for emergency transportation services.

SB 1147 amends Pennsylvania's Human Services Code to update reimbursement rates for emergency ambulance services under Medicaid programs (Fee-for-Service, Capitation, and Community HealthChoices). It requires reimbursement for every loaded mile based on the higher of 2023 Medicare ambulance rates or current Medicaid fees, effective January 1, 2024. For cases where patients refused transport, it sets new rates starting July 1, 2025, using 2025 Medicare rates or updated Medicaid fees. The bill applies retroactively to July 1, 2025, directly affecting licensed ambulance providers serving Medicaid enrollees.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Bill results