Pennsylvania Bills

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Nov 19, 2025

HB 2044: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in firearms and other dangerous articles, providing for report of theft or loss of firearm; and imposing penalties.

HB 2044 requires gun owners in Pennsylvania to report the theft or loss of a firearm to law enforcement within 48 hours. It directly affects individuals who legally own firearms by imposing a new reporting obligation. The bill specifies that failure to report within the required timeframe would be considered a misdemeanor offense, subjecting violators to penalties. This amendment modifies existing firearm laws under Title 18 to strengthen accountability for lost or stolen weapons.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Ben Sanchez (D) · 31 co-sponsors

passed · Pennsylvania · House Nov 19, 2025

HB 1030: An Act designating Hershey's Kisses as the official State candy of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

HB 1030 designates Hershey's Kisses as the official State candy of Pennsylvania. This symbolic bill does not impose any new laws, taxes, or regulations, nor does it directly affect any individuals or businesses. It serves solely as a ceremonial recognition of Hershey's Kisses, a candy brand produced by Hershey Foods Corporation in Pennsylvania. The bill passed through committee review and final passage in 2025 but has no practical policy impact beyond the designation.

Tom Mehaffie (R) · 23 co-sponsors

passed · Pennsylvania · Senate Nov 19, 2025

SB 764: An Act amending Title 53 (Municipalities Generally) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in alteration of territory or corporate entity and dissolution, further providing for conduct of referenda and for court review of transitional plan.

This bill updates Pennsylvania's rules for municipalities changing boundaries or dissolving. It requires communities to hold voter referendums on such changes and allows courts to review transition plans to ensure fairness. It directly affects towns and cities considering mergers, boundary shifts, or dissolution. The key mechanism adds mandatory public input and judicial oversight during municipal restructuring.

signed · Pennsylvania · House Nov 19, 2025

HB 1421: An Act providing for funding for certain State-aided universities for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2026, for costs basis, for frequency of payments and for recordkeeping requirements; imposing a duty on the Auditor General; providing for financial statements, for the Agricultural College Land Scrip Fund and for restrictions; and making appropriations.

HB 1421 allocates state funding for certain state-aided universities during the 2025-2026 fiscal year. It specifies the amount of funding, requires payments to occur at set intervals, and mandates detailed recordkeeping by the universities. The bill also imposes new duties on the Auditor General to review these records and requires universities to submit financial statements. Additionally, it includes restrictions on the use of funds and addresses the Agricultural College Land Scrip Fund.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Nov 19, 2025

HB 2059: An Act amending Title 61 (Prisons and Parole) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; providing for segregated confinement; and establishing the Segregated Confinement Hearing Review Board.

HB 2059 amends Pennsylvania's prison laws to establish clearer rules for segregated confinement (seclusion in prison cells) and create oversight. It directly affects incarcerated people in Pennsylvania prisons by requiring a new Segregated Confinement Hearing Review Board to review cases where individuals are placed in segregation. The bill sets specific time limits for segregation, mandates regular reviews by the board, and updates definitions in prison statutes to improve transparency. These changes aim to prevent indefinite or arbitrary segregation while providing a formal process for review.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Emily Kinkead (D) · 20 co-sponsors

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Nov 18, 2025

HB 1715: An Act amending the act of September 9, 1965 (P.L.497, No.251), known as the Newborn Child Testing Act, further providing for Newborn Child Screening and Follow-up Program.

The bill (HB 1715) amends Pennsylvania's Newborn Child Testing Act to enhance newborn screening and follow-up programs. It directly affects newborns, parents, and healthcare providers by updating requirements for screening tests and ensuring timely medical follow-up for infants with positive results. The bill's key provisions focus on improving the accuracy and efficiency of the screening process and strengthening coordination between healthcare facilities and public health agencies. As currently described in the provided context, the bill's specific policy changes beyond the title are not detailed. It is pending in the Health committee after being laid on the table.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Nov 18, 2025

HB 961: An Act amending Title 30 (Fish) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in dams, bar racks and migration devices, further providing for marking of dams.

HB 961 requires visible markings on dams in Pennsylvania to help fish navigate past them, amending existing fish and dam regulations. It directly affects dam operators and owners who maintain structures impacting fish migration. The key provision mandates clear, standardized markings on dams to improve fish passage through migration devices like bar racks. This change aims to support fish conservation efforts by making dam structures more navigable for aquatic life. The bill focuses on practical infrastructure adjustments rather than new funding or penalties.

Topics ✓ Environment

passed · Pennsylvania · House Nov 18, 2025

HR 257: A Resolution designating the month of November 2025 as "Diabetes Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.

HR 257 is a non-binding resolution designating November 2025 as "Diabetes Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania. It formally recognizes the need for public education about diabetes prevention, management, and support services during that month. This resolution does not create new laws, allocate funding, or directly affect any specific individuals or programs - it serves solely as a symbolic designation to encourage awareness efforts.

Justin Fleming (D) · 26 co-sponsors

passed · Pennsylvania · Senate Nov 18, 2025

SB 533: An Act amending Title 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in hunting and furtaking licenses, further providing for license requirements; and, in special licenses and permits, further providing for regulated hunting grounds permits.

SB 533 creates a fee exemption for veterans and active military members participating in approved hunting events. It allows the Pennsylvania Game Commission to issue "Military Event License Exemption Permits" for events on private land (with landowner approval) that provide rehabilitation or enjoyment for eligible individuals. Eligible participants include veterans with 30%+ service-connected disabilities, Purple Heart recipients, and one designated assistant per participant. Events are limited to 10 people for no more than seven consecutive days, require 14-day advance applications, and still require adherence to all hunting regulations like seasons and bag limits. The bill takes effect 60 days after passage.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Devlin Robinson (R) · 18 co-sponsors

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Nov 18, 2025

HB 1873: An Act amending Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses), 23 (Domestic Relations) and 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in offenses against the family, further providing for the offense of endangering welfare of children; in child protective services, further providing for definitions and for exclusions from child abuse; and, in juvenile matters, further providing for definitions.

HB 1873 amends Pennsylvania laws related to child welfare and family offenses. It clarifies definitions for "endangering the welfare of children" and updates rules about when certain actions are excluded from being classified as child abuse under protective services. The bill affects child protective services workers, courts handling juvenile cases, and families involved in child welfare investigations by changing how specific situations are evaluated. These changes aim to provide clearer legal standards for identifying and responding to child welfare concerns. (3 sentences)

passed · Pennsylvania · Senate Nov 18, 2025

SR 195: A Resolution celebrating the life and mourning the passing of David J. "Chip" Brightbill and expressing gratitude for his distinguished career of public service to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

This resolution (SR 195) honors the late David J. "Chip" Brightbill, a Pennsylvania public servant, by celebrating his life and mourning his passing. It expresses the legislature's gratitude for his "distinguished career of public service to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania." As a commemorative resolution, it does not create new laws or affect policy, but formally recognizes Brightbill's contributions. The resolution was introduced and adopted by the legislature on November 18, 2025.

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Nov 18, 2025

HB 1043: 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 definitions, for possession and use of asthma inhalers and epinephrine auto-injectors, for school access to emergency epinephrine and for administration of epinephrine auto-injectors by school bus drivers and school crossing guards.

HB 1043 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to expand access to emergency allergy and asthma treatments in schools. The bill specifically allows school staff, including bus drivers and crossing guards, to possess, use, and administer epinephrine auto-injectors (like EpiPens) and asthma inhalers for students in medical emergencies. It updates definitions and procedures to ensure authorized personnel can act quickly during allergic reactions or asthma attacks without requiring individual physician orders each time. This directly affects students with life-threatening allergies or asthma and school staff who may need to provide immediate care.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

Arvind Venkat (D) · 28 co-sponsors

Bill results