HB 564 updates Pennsylvania law to establish a new mental health crisis response system. It requires the Department of Human Services to create and operate this system, including training crisis responders and coordinating care. The bill directly affects individuals experiencing mental health crises and the state agencies responsible for emergency mental health services. Key provisions mandate specific duties for DHS to ensure timely, accessible crisis support statewide. The bill passed final passage on July 14, 2025, and is now under review by the Health & Human Services committee.
HB 1424 amends Pennsylvania's Local Tax Enabling Act to prohibit local governments from taxing admission fees at recreational campgrounds. It adds a new restriction (section 18) preventing municipalities from levying amusement taxes on guest charges for campground access. The bill also clarifies that camping property rentals aren't considered "places of amusement" for tax purposes. This change affects all local authorities covered by the original tax law, including cities, towns, and school districts.
HB 1697 amends Pennsylvania's Human Services Code to create a state-level False Claims Act, directly affecting healthcare providers, contractors, and organizations receiving state funds (like Medicaid or welfare programs). It makes individuals or entities liable for three times the damages plus penalties if they knowingly submit false claims, make false records, or conceal obligations to the state. The bill establishes "qui tam" lawsuits allowing whistleblowers to sue on behalf of the state and creates a Fraud Prevention and Recovery Account to hold recovered funds. These provisions align Pennsylvania's law with the federal False Claims Act to combat fraud in public spending.
HB 1466 requires mortgage lenders in Pennsylvania to provide mandatory housing counseling to applicants before processing reverse mortgage loans. Specifically, licensees must arrange in-person, phone, or video counseling from a HUD-approved agency, covering reverse mortgage details and alternatives, and issue a certificate documenting the session. This applies to all applicants for reverse mortgages - loans secured by home equity that don’t require repayment until later - and mandates lenders to keep counseling records for the loan’s duration. The bill directly affects mortgage lenders and reverse mortgage applicants, aiming to improve consumer understanding of this complex financial product.
HB 1407 updates Pennsylvania's teacher certification rules, effective July 1, 2027. It establishes new grade spans for certificates: "Primary" (pre-K through grade 6), "Secondary" (grades 7-12), and "Specialized" (pre-K through grade 12). Current teachers with early childhood certificates can add grades 5-6 by passing an assessment or earning continuing education credits, while those with elementary/middle certificates can expand to grades 7-12 using similar pathways. The bill also requires teacher preparation programs to adjust coursework and field placements for early childhood certification, and abrogates outdated regulations inconsistent with these changes.
HB 1433 amends Pennsylvania's Funeral Director Law to update requirements for board inspectors. It reduces the required experience for inspectors from ten to five years and specifies they must be licensed funeral directors actively practicing. The bill grants inspectors authority to enter funeral homes for inspections, investigate complaints, and serve board documents. This directly affects the State Board of Funeral Directors and funeral homes operating in Pennsylvania, changing how the board oversees compliance with licensing regulations.
HB 1591 amends Pennsylvania's vehicle laws to specifically include rules for private parking lots within the "rules of the road" section. It directly affects owners and operators of private parking lots (like those at shopping centers or apartment complexes) by allowing them to establish their own parking rules without needing separate municipal permits. The key provision moves private lot regulations under the state vehicle code, clarifying that lot operators can set rules for parking duration, access, and enforcement. This changes how local authorities and lot managers handle parking governance, shifting it from general municipal oversight to a defined state regulatory framework.
HB 1093 amends Pennsylvania's vehicle safety laws to update requirements for restraint systems, directly affecting vehicle owners and drivers statewide. The bill modifies existing rules for seatbelts and child safety restraints, clarifying standards for installation and use in motor vehicles. Key provisions include updating equipment specifications to align with current safety technology and ensuring compliance for all passenger vehicles. This change aims to strengthen road safety by standardizing restraint system requirements across Pennsylvania.
HB 938 amends the Public School Code of 1949 to update governance rules for the Board of Governors overseeing the State System of Higher Education. It directly affects the board members, public universities, and the administrative structure of the higher education system. The bill modifies provisions related to the board's composition, responsibilities, or operational procedures under the existing code, though specific changes are not detailed in the provided context. The bill passed the legislature on July 14, 2025, and was referred to the Education committee for further action.
HB 1527 updates the existing Rare Disease Advisory Council established in 2017, clarifying its structure and responsibilities. The bill directly affects patients with rare diseases and requires coordination among the Department of Health, Insurance Department, Department of Human Services, and Department of Education. Key provisions mandate the council to advise state agencies on rare disease research, treatment access, insurance coverage, and resource allocation. It also specifies how departments must collaborate on policies impacting rare disease patients, ensuring a unified state approach.
This bill converts an existing cosmetology training pilot program at career and technical centers (CTCs) into a permanent program under Pennsylvania's Public School Code. It requires participating CTCs and secondary schools to submit annual reports to the State Board of Cosmetology on training metrics. The legislation formalizes ongoing operations from the pilot phase, ensuring existing contracts, rules, and agreements remain valid without change. It directly affects career centers and schools offering cosmetology training within the state's public education system.
SB 878 converts Pennsylvania's temporary "Cosmetology Training Through Career and Technical Center Pilot Program" into a permanent state program under the Public School Code. It requires participating career and technical centers (CTCs) and high schools to annually report training data to the State Board of Cosmetology. Existing rules, contracts, and agreements established during the pilot phase remain in effect under the permanent program. The bill directly affects CTCs and secondary schools offering cosmetology training through career and technical education programs.
