SB 44 creates a formal process for confirming someone is a victim of human trafficking in Pennsylvania through a "victim determination statement" issued by authorized entities like legal aid organizations or victim service providers. This statement confirms the victim’s status and details the trafficking period and related offenses, which can be used to address legal consequences stemming from their victimization. The bill also establishes a State Human Trafficking Resource Coordinator to coordinate statewide victim services and support. Victims with a valid statement can petition to restore driver’s licenses suspended due to offenses committed while trafficked, unless the department deems them a traffic safety risk.
This bill expands the enforcement powers of Pennsylvania's Pharmacy Audit Integrity and Transparency Act to address how Pharmacy Benefit Managers handle Medicaid prescriptions. It directly affects PBMs, pharmacies, and pharmacists by requiring PBMs to accept and process prescriptions from any pharmacy or pharmacist that is in good standing with state regulators. The law prohibits PBMs from limiting patient access to specific pharmacies based on the PBM's own private contracting choices. These changes are designed to ensure that Medicaid patients can use any qualified pharmacy without facing artificial restrictions imposed by their benefit manager.
This bill creates a new program in Pennsylvania to help landlords and tenants manage energy costs by switching from individual meters to a single master meter for the entire building. Under the proposed system, landlords would install their own submeters to track individual tenant usage, allowing for more accurate billing while giving tenants access to energy efficiency technologies and savings programs. The legislation mandates specific protections for tenants, including requirements for accurate meter testing, lease verification before conversion, and options for managing energy consumption within their units. Additionally, the bill establishes rules for how landlords can participate in utility programs and ensures that disconnection processes include proper notice and payment plan options.
This Pennsylvania House resolution designates September 2026 as "Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Month" to raise awareness about child hunger and food waste in the state. The document highlights statistics on food insecurity among students and discusses strategies like "share tables" to help reduce waste while providing extra meals. It serves as a symbolic gesture to focus attention on these issues rather than implementing new laws or funding changes.
HB 2432 amends Pennsylvania's Local Option Small Games of Chance Act to increase prize limits for eligible organizations, such as charities and clubs, that run games of chance. The bill raises the maximum prize for a single chance to $3,000 and the seven-day aggregate prize limit to $50,000, while also establishing new monthly and annual caps for raffles. Additionally, it streamlines licensing by reducing the time required to issue a license to 10 days and clarifies the rules for auxiliary groups operating under a main organization's license.
This bill requires school districts in Pennsylvania to follow specific guidelines when hiring vendors to create detailed maps of their campuses for emergency response purposes. The new rules mandate that these maps be accurate, include labeled floor plans and utility locations, and be compatible with existing public safety software without extra costs. Additionally, the data must be stored securely within the United States, and districts must obtain approval from local law enforcement before entering into such contracts.
This bill amends Pennsylvania's Construction Code Act to create a funding mechanism for residential construction workforce training. It allows municipalities to charge an optional fee of up to $10 on residential permits, which would be collected and deposited into a new state account. Money from this account would be used to award grants to nonprofits, educational institutions, and local governments for training programs, apprenticeships, and equipment. A key provision requires that these grants be directed to counties where the original permit fees were collected to support local housing needs. The bill also mandates detailed annual reports on how the funds are spent and the outcomes of the training programs.
This bill amends Pennsylvania's Municipalities Planning Code to create a streamlined approval process for high-density housing in designated growth areas. It requires the state Department of Community and Economic Development to establish rules that allow municipalities to fast-track land use decisions for vacant lots in zones where such housing is already permitted by right. The expedited process applies specifically to attached or detached homes, including accessory dwelling units, provided they meet minimum density standards and do not involve environmentally sensitive or hazard-prone areas. To support this initiative, the bill mandates the use of pre-approved building plans, concurrent review procedures, and a technical assistance hub to help local governments reduce delays and meet permitting timelines.
This bill creates a new Office of Transformation and Opportunity within the Governor's Office to streamline economic development projects and coordinate resources across state agencies. The office will act as a central hub to speed up permit reviews, manage funding applications, and ensure that projects benefit disadvantaged communities. It also establishes a Commonwealth Housing Ombudsman to resolve disputes and align policies related to residential housing needs. The office will be led by a Chief Officer appointed by the Governor, who will report directly to the Governor and produce annual reports on economic progress.
This bill updates Pennsylvania's transportation laws to establish specific rules for selecting projects funded by the Multimodal Fund. It requires the Department of Transportation to award grants competitively without reserving a fixed percentage of money for any single applicant before the application process is finished. Additionally, the legislation mandates that the department give priority to projects using recycled materials, such as reclaimed asphalt pavement and recycled asphalt shingles. These changes aim to ensure fair competition while encouraging the use of sustainable building materials in state-funded infrastructure projects.
This bill requires emergency medical services providers in Pennsylvania, including paramedics and nurses, to complete specific training on caring for individuals with dementia. The Department of Health must create a program covering how to communicate effectively with these patients, manage behavioral symptoms, and identify signs of abuse. New providers will need three hours of initial training, while all providers must complete one hour of continuing education annually. Those who already finished similar training within the last 18 months will be exempt from the initial requirement but must still take the annual course.
This Pennsylvania bill amends the Public School Code to clarify special education evaluation procedures for students enrolled in charter schools. Beginning in the 2026-2027 school year, the local school district of residence will conduct initial disability evaluations for these students rather than the charter school. The district or an intermediate unit must issue a report on eligibility and service recommendations to parents and the charter school entity. While intermediate units can charge fees for these evaluations, charter schools remain responsible for providing the special education services outlined in the report.
