Pennsylvania Bills

signed · Pennsylvania · House Jun 29, 2026

HB 1877: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in terms and courses of study, providing for Pennsylvania Seal of Biliteracy.

HB 1877 creates a Pennsylvania Seal of Biliteracy to recognize high school students who achieve proficiency in English and another language. The bill requires public school districts to establish a process for awarding this seal to eligible students who meet specific language proficiency standards. It directly affects Pennsylvania public high school students who demonstrate biliteracy skills, providing a formal credential for their language abilities. The key mechanism is the addition of this seal program to the Public School Code, mandating school districts to implement it.

Topics ✓ Education

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 29, 2026

SB 1061: An Act amending Title 51 (Military Affairs) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in State Veterans' Commission and Deputy Adjutant General for Veterans' Affairs, further providing for accreditation.

The bill SB 1061 amends Pennsylvania's military affairs statutes to address accreditation requirements for the State Veterans' Commission and the Deputy Adjutant General for Veterans' Affairs. It directly affects state veterans' agencies and their personnel by establishing or modifying accreditation standards. The bill's key provision focuses on "further providing for accreditation," though the specific accreditation process or standards are not detailed in the provided context. This amendment would impact how veterans' services are structured and certified within the state's military affairs framework. The bill is currently in the referral stage with the Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness committee.

Topics ✓ Veterans

passed · Pennsylvania · House Jun 29, 2026

HB 928: An Act amending Title 35 (Health and Safety) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in epinephrine auto-injector entities, further providing for definitions and for epinephrine auto-injectors for authorized entities; and making an editorial change.

HB 928 amends Pennsylvania law to expand access to epinephrine auto-injectors for severe allergic reactions. It adds schools, sports organizations, and other public venues to the list of "authorized entities" allowed to store these devices and train staff. The bill clarifies who can access the injectors during emergencies and specifies training requirements for personnel. This directly affects schools, youth programs, and public facilities serving individuals at risk of anaphylaxis.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 27, 2026

HR 491: A Resolution urging the Congress of the United States to enact legislation designating the Green Star Service Banner as a national emblem honoring families of members of the United States Armed Forces and veterans who died by suicide.

This Pennsylvania House resolution asks the U.S. Congress to officially recognize the Green Star Service Banner as a national symbol for families of military members and veterans who died by suicide. The bill also directs Pennsylvania state agencies and local governments to allow the voluntary display of this banner at appropriate locations. By doing so, the resolution aims to honor these families and shift the focus from statistics to personal acknowledgment of their loss.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Nancy Guenst (D) · 17 co-sponsors

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 27, 2026

HR 496: A Resolution recognizing the week of May 16 through 22, 2026, as "National Safe Boating Week" in Pennsylvania.

This bill designates the week of May 16 through 22, 2026, as "National Safe Boating Week" in Pennsylvania to highlight the importance of safety on the state's waterways. It directly affects all boaters, including those using powerboats and personal watercraft, by encouraging them to review safety rules such as wearing life jackets and avoiding alcohol. The resolution does not change any laws or create new requirements but serves as a symbolic reminder of existing safety standards and available educational resources. By promoting these practices, the bill aims to raise public awareness about the risks of boating and the steps needed to prevent accidents.

Joe Hohenstein (D) · 21 co-sponsors

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 26, 2026

SB 1407: An Act amending the act of February 9, 1999 (P.L.1, No.1), known as the Capital Facilities Debt Enabling Act, in capital facilities, further providing for definitions.

SB 1407 amends Pennsylvania's Capital Facilities Debt Enabling Act to update the definition of "redevelopment assistance capital projects" for the purpose of issuing tax-exempt bonds. The bill clarifies that eligible projects must generate significant economic activity, involve substantial non-state funding, and include specific infrastructure like stormwater systems or hospital facilities while excluding general highways and waste disposal sites. Additionally, it allows fire trucks and firefighting equipment to qualify for assistance under certain cost conditions. This legislative change directly affects local governments and organizations seeking state-approved financing for redevelopment initiatives by establishing clearer criteria for what projects can receive funding.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 26, 2026

SR 348: A Resolution directing the Uniform Construction Code Review and Advisory Council to conduct a study and issue a report recommending modifications and limitations to the International Building Code that would allow for a single-exit stairway to serve multifamily residential structures up to six stories above grade plane.

This Senate Resolution directs the Uniform Construction Code Review and Advisory Council to study whether Pennsylvania's building codes should allow single-exit stairways in multifamily buildings up to six stories tall. Currently, the state follows the International Building Code, which requires two separate stairways for structures taller than three stories, a rule that increases construction costs and limits design options. The study must evaluate safety factors such as water supply, fire department response times, and other measures needed to protect public health and welfare. The Council is tasked with issuing a report with recommendations for modifying the code before the next version is adopted, while also receiving input from the Office of the State Fire Commissioner.

Topics ✓ Housing

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 26, 2026

SB 1399: An Act amending Title 35 (Health and Safety) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in Commonwealth services, providing for emergency preparedness requirements for covered facilities; and imposing duties on the Department of Health, the Department of Human Services and the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs.

This bill requires licensed health care, child care, and drug treatment facilities in Pennsylvania to create and maintain written emergency preparedness plans for residents, staff, and visitors. These plans must include procedures for accounting for people during emergencies, identifying an on-site coordinator, and providing essential facility information like layout and utility shutoffs to local emergency responders. Facilities must share these plans with fire departments, police, and medical services annually or whenever significant changes occur, and state health departments will enforce compliance as a condition of licensure.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 26, 2026

SB 1389: An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, providing for Small Business Health Care Premiums Contribution Tax Credit.

This bill creates a new tax credit for small businesses in Pennsylvania that help employees pay for health insurance. To qualify, a business must have 50 or fewer employees and contribute up to $1,000 per employee toward premiums for qualified health plans purchased through the state health exchange. The credit is calculated based on the first $1,000 of contributions made for each eligible employee and can be used to reduce the business's state tax liability. Companies claiming the credit must submit a specific application form to the Department of Revenue that includes detailed information about their employees and the insurance providers they hired.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

passed · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 26, 2026

SB 1400: An Act amending Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses), 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) and 61 (Prisons and Parole) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in authorized disposition of offenders, further providing for sentence for murder, murder of unborn child and murder of law enforcement officer and providing for sentence for murder of the second degree; in sentencing, further providing for sentences for second and subsequent offenses and for life imprisonment for homicide; and, in motivational boot camp, further providing for definitions; in Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole, providing for parole eligibility for offenders sentenced to life for murder of the second degree and further providing for parole procedure and for victim statements, testimony and participation in hearing.

SB 1400 modifies Pennsylvania's sentencing laws for murder to establish a mandatory life imprisonment term for second-degree murder involving unborn children or law enforcement officers. For other second-degree murder cases, the bill sets a standard minimum sentence of 35 years but allows for a reduced minimum of 10 years if the defendant proves they were not the primary actor, did not cause the death, and did not use a deadly weapon. The legislation also creates a specific pathway for courts to impose life imprisonment without parole for second-degree murder if the crime involved a child under 13, rape, a prior violent conviction, or serious injury to another victim. Additionally, the bill updates definitions for motivational boot camps and expands the role of victims in parole hearings for those sentenced to life for second-degree murder.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 26, 2026

HB 2673: An Act amending Title 40 (Insurance) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for preventive services coverage.

This bill requires health insurance plans in Pennsylvania to cover specific preventive services without charging patients any deductibles, copayments, or coinsurance. The list of covered services is primarily based on recommendations from federal health organizations, such as the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, and is managed by the state Department of Health. While most standard health plans must comply with these requirements, the law explicitly excludes "grandfathered" plans that existed before the bill takes effect. The legislation also establishes a process for the state to add new preventive services or remove existing ones based on current medical evidence and expert recommendations.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 26, 2026

HR 581: A Resolution designating the week of January 24 through 30, 2027, as "Medicolegal Death Investigation Professionals Week" in Pennsylvania.

This bill designates the week of January 24 through 30, 2027, as "Medicolegal Death Investigation Professionals Week" throughout Pennsylvania. The resolution aims to honor the work of these professionals, who are trained to investigate unexpected, unexplained, or suspicious deaths and assist law enforcement and medical examiners. By officially recognizing this specific time period, the legislation seeks to highlight the importance of this workforce to public health and safety without altering any laws or policies.

Bill results