Pennsylvania Bills

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 31, 2026

HB 2349: An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in facilities and supplies, further providing for deposits into account.

This bill amends Pennsylvania's judicial statutes to clarify that certain fines, fees, and costs collected under the state's Dog Law will remain unaffected by other provisions in the judicial code. It specifically directs that these financial penalties continue to be allocated to the Department of Agriculture as previously established. The legislation is a technical adjustment to the legal code rather than a new policy, and it will become active 60 days after being signed into law.

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 31, 2026

HB 2352: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in Student Teacher Support Grant Program, further providing for program establishment and duties of agency.

This bill modifies Pennsylvania's Public School Code to increase financial support for student teachers working in subject areas with staffing shortages. It establishes a new provision that adds a minimum grant of $5,000 to the existing Student Teacher Support Grant for eligible students who complete their teaching assignments in these specific shortage areas. The state agency responsible for the program will use departmental data to identify which subjects currently face shortages before distributing these additional funds. The changes become effective 60 days after the bill is passed.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 31, 2026

HB 2339: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in assault, further providing for the offense of aggravated assault.

This bill expands the legal definition of aggravated assault in Pennsylvania to include school staff members and crossing guards. Specifically, it adds teaching employees, school board members, licensed private school workers, parochial school employees, and school crossing guards to the list of individuals protected by aggravated assault laws. The change applies when these individuals are acting within the scope of their employment or due to their relationship with the school. If passed, the new provisions would take effect 60 days after the bill is enacted.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Education

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 31, 2026

HB 2353: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in certification of teachers, further providing for out-of-State applicants for certification.

This bill updates Pennsylvania's teacher certification laws to make it easier for educators from other states to get certified in the Commonwealth. It allows the Department of Education to issue a Pennsylvania teaching certificate to out-of-state applicants who already hold a valid license and have completed an approved educator preparation program. To qualify, these applicants must also pass subject matter competency tests and complete required field experience in Pennsylvania. The changes apply to public, private, and parochial schools and will take effect 60 days after the bill is signed into law.

Topics ✓ Education

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 31, 2026

HB 2354: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in certification of teachers, further providing for evaluation of applications for certification.

This Pennsylvania bill directs the Department of Education to create a one-time fee waiver for teacher certification applicants who narrowly failed an assessment. To qualify, an individual must have missed the passing score by three points or fewer, have taken the test only once before, and plan to retake it within one year of seeing their initial results. The Department is required to publish this policy online and share it with teacher training programs and alternative certification providers. The law takes effect 60 days after being signed into law.

Topics ✓ Education

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 31, 2026

HB 2345: An Act amending Title 44 (Law and Justice) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, establishing the Domestic Violence Home Security Grant Program; and imposing duties on the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.

This bill establishes the Domestic Violence Home Security Grant Program within the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency to provide financial assistance to victims of domestic violence. The program allows eligible individuals to purchase residential security measures such as reinforced locks, security cameras, alarm systems, and motion-detection lighting to enhance their home safety. Applicants must submit documentation proving they are victims of abuse, and the commission may prioritize funding for those facing elevated risks, such as recent separation from an abuser or the presence of children. All personal information provided by applicants will remain confidential, and the commission is responsible for reviewing applications, determining grant amounts, and notifying applicants of decisions.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 31, 2026

HB 2343: An Act amending Titles 23 (Domestic Relations) and 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in protection from abuse, further providing for definitions and for relief; and, in sentencing, providing for electronic monitoring with victim notification.

This bill expands Pennsylvania's protection from abuse laws by allowing courts to establish specific geographic 'exclusion zones' that defendants cannot enter. It authorizes the use of GPS electronic monitoring devices for defendants in protection orders or sentencing, which would automatically alert law enforcement and, with the victim's consent, the victim if the defendant enters a prohibited area. The bill also clarifies that the defendant is responsible for paying all costs related to the monitoring equipment and services.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Technology

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 31, 2026

HB 2346: An Act amending Title 23 (Domestic Relations) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in property rights, further providing for equitable division of marital property; and, in alimony and support, further providing for alimony.

This bill amends Pennsylvania laws to restrict financial support and asset division in divorce cases involving domestic violence. Specifically, it prevents a spouse convicted of a personal injury crime against their partner from receiving alimony or a share of marital property, unless the court determines that denying these benefits would cause a significant injustice. The legislation also clarifies that marital misconduct occurring after the final separation is generally not a factor in alimony decisions, with the notable exception of abuse. These changes take effect 60 days after the bill is enacted.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Mar 31, 2026

SB 724: An Act providing for regulation of large load customers and public utilities and for community benefits agreements between large load customers and community-based organizations; establishing the Data Center LIHEAP Enhancement Fund; and imposing duties on the Department of Human Services and the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission.

This bill, known as the Data Center Fair Share Act, requires large data centers in Pennsylvania that consume significant amounts of electricity to negotiate binding agreements with local community organizations. These agreements must include specific, measurable benefits for the host community, such as job training or infrastructure support, and the bill also mandates that these facilities make financial contributions to help pay for local power grid upgrades. Additionally, the legislation creates a new fund to support low-income households with energy bills and directs state agencies to create temporary regulations within 120 days to enforce these new requirements on large energy users.

Topics ✓ Energy

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 31, 2026

HB 2342: An Act amending the act of December 15, 1982 (P.L.1291, No.292), known as the Medicare Supplement Insurance Act, providing for applications for medicare supplement policies.

This bill amends Pennsylvania's Medicare Supplement Insurance Act to allow individuals to switch insurance companies without being denied coverage or facing higher prices due to their health status or medical history. It specifically applies to people aged 65 or older who are already enrolled in Medicare and wish to change their current supplement plan within 60 days of their birthday while keeping the same type of coverage. Under the new rules, a new policy issued under these conditions must take effect on the first day of the month that is at least 30 days after the application is signed, and the changes will become effective on January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 2329: An Act amending the act of June 3, 1937 (P.L.1333, No.320), known as the Pennsylvania Election Code, in voting by qualified absentee electors, further providing for voting by absentee electors and for canvassing of official absentee ballots and mail-in ballots; and, in voting by qualified mail-in electors, further providing for voting by mail-in electors.

This bill amends Pennsylvania's Election Code to change the deadline for receiving absentee and mail-in ballots from election day to the seventh day following the election. It allows voters who declare under penalty of perjury that their ballot was timely submitted to have their ballots counted even if they lack a postmark or have an unreadable one. The changes apply to both traditional absentee voters and new mail-in voters, ensuring ballots received by the extended deadline are processed and counted. The legislation would take effect 60 days after passage.

Chris Pielli (D) · 29 co-sponsors

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 2328: An Act amending the act of June 3, 1937 (P.L.1333, No.320), known as the Pennsylvania Election Code, in primary and election expenses, further providing for definitions and providing for candidate remuneration.

This bill modifies Pennsylvania election laws to allow candidates for statewide and legislative offices to receive direct payments from their political committees while running for office. The legislation defines "remuneration" as direct payments to candidates, excluding reimbursements and loan repayments, and sets a maximum limit equal to 50% of the annual salary of a state representative. Eligible offices include Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, and all state and federal legislative positions, with payments distributed on a daily basis between nomination filing and the election date. Candidates cannot receive these payments after winning or losing an election beyond 20 days, and current public officials are excluded from receiving remuneration under this new provision.

Bill results