Pennsylvania Bills

passed · Pennsylvania · House Dec 16, 2025

HR 337: A Resolution designating the week of November 17 through 21, 2025, as "Pennsylvania Education for Students Experiencing Homelessness Awareness Week" and November 21, 2025, as "Red Shirt Day" in Pennsylvania.

This resolution designates the week of November 17-21, 2025, as "Pennsylvania Education for Students Experiencing Homelessness Awareness Week" and November 21, 2025, as "Red Shirt Day" in Pennsylvania. It is a symbolic measure to raise awareness about educational support for homeless students, with no direct policy changes or funding mechanisms. The bill was referred to the Children & Youth committee and reported as committed on October 29, 2025. As a commemorative resolution, it does not impose legal obligations or alter existing laws.

passed · Pennsylvania · Senate Dec 16, 2025

SB 871: An Act amending the act of May 1, 1933 (P.L.103, No.69), known as The Second Class Township Code, in contracts, further providing for letting contracts.

SB 871 amends Pennsylvania's Second Class Township Code to clarify bonding requirements for contractors. It requires successful bidders on township contracts to provide a bond, letter of credit, or other security within 20 days of contract award, set at 10% to 100% of the contract value. This applies to most contracts not already covered under Pennsylvania's Public Works Contractors' Bond Law of 1967. The bill directly affects second-class townships and contractors working with them, ensuring performance guarantees are secured promptly to protect public funds. Failure to provide the required security within 20 days voids the contract.

passed · Pennsylvania · House Dec 16, 2025

HB 1871: An Act providing for the installation of electrified security systems on commercial entities' property and property in exclusive nonresidential use.

HB 1871 requires commercial businesses and properties used exclusively for nonresidential purposes (like offices or retail spaces) to install shock-based security systems on their premises. The bill mandates these systems be installed on property boundaries to deter unauthorized entry. It directly affects owners and operators of commercial properties, including retail stores, offices, and other non-residential business locations. The legislation passed with final approval on November 18, 2025, after amendments.

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Dec 15, 2025

HB 2101: An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in licensing of drivers, providing for initiation of suspension of operating privilege.

This bill requires Pennsylvania's Department of Transportation to initiate a driver's license suspension within six months of a court's sentencing for offenses that trigger suspension. If the suspension isn't started within that timeframe, it becomes unenforceable by the department or courts. It directly affects drivers convicted of offenses like DUI or reckless driving that lead to license suspensions. The law ensures timely enforcement by setting a clear deadline, preventing indefinite delays in suspension processing. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ Transportation

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Dec 15, 2025

SB 1115: An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in registration of vehicles, providing for Jazz Foundation of America plate; in fees, further providing for payments to special funds; and establishing the Jazz Foundation of America Fund.

This bill creates a specialty license plate for Pennsylvania vehicles featuring a jazz-themed design (saxophone, f-hole, trombone on black background) and establishes the Jazz Foundation of America Fund. Vehicle owners who pay a $62 fee (in addition to standard registration) for the plate will contribute $32 per plate to the new fund. The fund will provide grants to nonprofits supporting jazz and blues musicians in Pennsylvania, specifically for financial assistance and performance opportunities within the state. The bill directly affects vehicle owners seeking the specialty plate and benefits local jazz/blues musicians through grant funding.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Dec 15, 2025

SB 1114: An Act amending Title 66 (Public Utilities) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in restructuring of electric utility industry, providing for large load customers; and making editorial changes.

SB 1114 restructures Pennsylvania's electric utility industry to allow large commercial and industrial electricity consumers direct access to competitive electricity generation markets. It requires utilities to unbundle electricity rates and provide open access to their transmission and distribution systems, enabling new market participants like energy aggregators and brokers to sell electricity directly to customers. The bill creates a "competitive transition charge" applied to all customers' bills to recover utilities' past investments in generation that may not be recoverable in a competitive market. This change shifts the industry from regulated bundled service to a model where customers can choose electricity suppliers while maintaining grid reliability.

passed · Pennsylvania · Senate Dec 15, 2025

SB 686: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in falsification and intimidation, further providing for the offense of tampering with public records or information.

SB 686 amends Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law to make it a felony to intentionally alter, destroy, conceal, or remove public records after someone has requested them under the law. It directly affects government employees who handle public records, targeting actions like hiding documents during active requests or with fraudulent intent. Previously, such tampering was a misdemeanor, but this bill upgrades penalties to a third-degree felony when records are involved in an ongoing request or appeal. The law aims to ensure the accuracy and accessibility of public records during official inquiries.

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Dec 15, 2025

HB 1676: An Act establishing the Nursing Shortage Assistance Program; and imposing duties on the Department of Labor and Industry.

HB 1676 establishes Pennsylvania's Nursing Shortage Assistance Program, which provides state grants to "qualified nursing servicers" to help nursing students repay loans after graduation. The program requires partner hospitals to match state funds 1:1 for loan repayment and commit to hiring graduates, with grants only covering tuition expenses (not administrative costs). Nursing students working at participating hospitals may receive up to $10,000 annually or $30,000 total in loan repayment assistance. The Department of Labor and Industry administers the program, sets application rules, and reports annually on its effectiveness to the legislature.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Dec 15, 2025

HB 1446: An Act authorizing local taxing authorities to provide for tax exemptions for improvements and redevelopment of certain underutilized property ; establishing the Economic Development and Mixed-Use Redevelopment Advisory Committee within the State Planning Board; and conferring powers and imposing duties on the Department of Community and Economic Development.

HB 1446 allows local governments to grant tax exemptions for improvements and redevelopment of vacant or underused properties, directly affecting property owners and developers who redevelop sites like abandoned lots or outdated buildings. It establishes a state-level Economic Development and Mixed-Use Redevelopment Advisory Committee within the State Planning Board to advise on eligible projects and guide implementation. The Department of Community and Economic Development is given authority to manage the program, including setting eligibility rules and overseeing tax exemption approvals. The bill aims to incentivize revitalization of neglected properties by reducing financial barriers for redevelopment. This policy change focuses on concrete tax incentives and administrative structure, not speculative economic outcomes.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Dec 15, 2025

HB 1545: An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in registration of vehicles, further providing for suspension of registration upon sixth unpaid parking violation in cities of the first class; and making editorial changes.

HB 1545 would require vehicle registration suspension in Philadelphia after six unpaid parking tickets, with a warning notice sent after four unpaid tickets. It specifies suspensions apply only to violations within three years and increases the reinstatement fee to $88 (from $70). The bill directly affects Philadelphia vehicle owners who accumulate multiple unpaid parking violations. Key mechanisms include mandatory written warnings before suspension, electronic notification requirements for parking authorities, and a process for reinstatement after payment. The policy change applies only to parking violations issued after the law's effective date.

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Dec 12, 2025

HB 2099: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, providing for Delayed Payment Plan Program; establishing the Delayed Payment Plan Program Fund; and imposing duties on the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency.

HB 2099 establishes a new Delayed Payment Plan Program to help eligible Pennsylvania residents attend specific colleges by covering tuition costs in exchange for paying a portion of their future income. The program, administered by the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA), requires students to agree to remain in Pennsylvania for 10 years after graduation (or until tuition is repaid) and study in high-need fields. It uses a dedicated fund financed by state appropriations, private donations, and income payments from participants, with administrative costs capped at $400,000 in the first year. Initially targeting 15 community colleges and Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology for the 2025-2026 academic year, it may expand to other state institutions starting in 2026-2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Dec 12, 2025

HB 2100: An Act providing for the use of mental health chatbots and artificial intelligence by mental health therapists; imposing duties on the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs; and imposing a penalty.

HB 2100 prohibits mental health chatbot suppliers from selling or sharing Pennsylvania users' personal health data or chat inputs with third parties. It directly affects companies providing AI therapy tools that simulate confidential conversations with users in Pennsylvania. The law requires suppliers to protect user data, with limited exceptions for user consent or sharing with health providers. This creates new data privacy rules for AI mental health tools used by therapists in the state.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Technology

Jenn O'Mara (D) · 17 co-sponsors

Bill results