SB 375 repeals a requirement that schools provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training for staff every three years. Instead, it mandates that Pennsylvania schools obtain and maintain automated external defibrillators (AEDs) - heart rhythm shock devices - by requiring 2.5% of annual school safety funding to be used for purchasing AEDs and related training. The bill establishes an AED program requiring school staff to complete AED and CPR training through approved organizations like the American Heart Association, and it defines AEDs as portable devices that restore heart rhythm during cardiac arrest. This law directly affects all public and nonpublic schools in Pennsylvania, shifting focus from mandatory staff CPR training to AED availability and use.
This bill creates a new legal right for buyers of used cars in Pennsylvania to return their vehicle to the dealer within 10 days of purchase or lease. Under the new rules, dealers must accept the return and issue a full refund minus a small fee for the car's use, which is capped at either 10 cents per mile driven or 10% of the vehicle's price, whichever is lower. The law also requires dealers to provide customers with a notice explaining these rights at the time of sale and mandates that refunds be processed within 30 days of the buyer's request.
This bill modifies Pennsylvania's divorce laws to allow courts to issue a final divorce decree before all financial and custody issues are fully resolved. Under the new rules, judges can grant an immediate divorce if both spouses agree and it protects minor children, or if one spouse proves compelling reasons exist alongside adequate economic safeguards for the other party and any children. The legislation also permits immediate divorce without mutual consent or special justification in cases involving valid abuse protection orders or criminal convictions for personal injury against the other spouse. These changes directly affect individuals navigating divorce proceedings by providing a faster legal path to ending a marriage under specific protective conditions.
This Pennsylvania bill creates a new Internship Tax Credit Program designed to help small businesses hire students from local colleges and universities. Under the program, eligible businesses that employ qualified interns in structured, paid work experiences can receive a tax credit to offset their state taxes. To qualify, interns must be residents of Pennsylvania with at least 30 college credits and a 2.5 GPA, while internships must last a minimum of six weeks and pay at least minimum wage. The bill also establishes a waiting list system for businesses that apply for the credit but do not receive it due to limited funding.
This bill amends Pennsylvania's Clean Streams Law to allow specific residential construction sites to request a waiver for certain stormwater discharge permits. It directly affects developers building on land between one and three acres that causes significant ground disturbance. Under the new provision, these sites could apply to bypass standard National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit requirements if they meet specific federal criteria. The change aims to streamline regulatory processes for medium-sized construction projects while maintaining oversight through a formal waiver application process. The law will become effective 60 days after its passage.
HB 2506 prevents Pennsylvania counties, municipalities, and townships from passing local laws that restrict the ownership, possession, transfer, or transportation of firearms and ammunition, as long as those items are not already banned by state or federal law. The bill also stops local governments from suing gun manufacturers or dealers for damages related to how firearms are designed, manufactured, or sold to the public. Additionally, it removes the specific authority for municipalities to regulate firearms entirely, ensuring that gun policy remains a state-level responsibility rather than a local one.
This bill amends Pennsylvania's Second Class County Code to prohibit these counties from passing laws or taking actions that regulate firearms. Specifically, it removes the existing provision that allowed second-class counties to create ordinances regarding the transfer, ownership, transportation, or possession of guns. The change directly affects local governments in second-class counties by restricting their ability to implement their own gun control measures. The legislation becomes effective 60 days after it is passed.
This bill updates Pennsylvania's construction code review process by delaying the evaluation of the 2024 International Code Council codes and initiating a special review of the 2015 edition. Starting in 2027, the bill requires the state council to examine current building codes and create alternative economic standards aimed at lowering construction costs. The process includes a public comment period, a technical committee review, and three public hearings held in Harrisburg and other regions to gather input before any changes are made.
This bill updates sentencing laws in Pennsylvania to impose stricter penalties for specific serious crimes, including second-degree murder, the murder of unborn children, and the murder of law enforcement officers. Under the new rules, defendants convicted of these offenses would face a minimum prison term of 35 years, with life imprisonment without parole becoming mandatory if a judge finds the person directly caused the death or was an active participant in the killing. The legislation also expands the definition of "crime of violence" to include these offenses, which could lead to harsher sentences for individuals with prior criminal records. Additionally, the bill requires courts to consider victim impact statements and various factors related to the crime and the defendant's history when deciding on life sentences.
This bill establishes a legal framework in Pennsylvania for event outcome prediction wagering, allowing individuals to place bets on the results of various future events such as elections, sports competitions, and weather patterns through licensed digital platforms. To operate, companies must obtain a state license from the Gaming Control Board and adhere to specific rules regarding how they set odds and manage payouts, while the existing lottery, horse racing, and fantasy sports remain excluded from these new regulations. The legislation also creates a new tax on the revenue generated from these wagers, directing a portion of the funds into state accounts for gaming oversight and financing, and imposes penalties for violations of the new rules.
This bill creates a new criminal offense in Pennsylvania for unintentionally causing death while driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. It directly affects drivers who kill someone while impaired, raising the penalty from a second-degree felony to a mandatory first-degree felony. The law also sets specific minimum prison terms, such as five years for a first offense and longer sentences for repeat offenders or those with prior DUI convictions.
This bill amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code to exempt sales and use of specific baby items from state sales tax for a family's first child. The new provision allows parents to purchase child passenger restraint systems, formula feeding supplies, and teethers without paying tax, provided the child is their oldest or only child at the time of purchase. The Department of Revenue is required to publish online guidance to help clarify how these exclusions will be implemented. The changes are scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026, or immediately if that date has already passed.
