Pennsylvania Bills

passed · Pennsylvania · House Jul 12, 2024

HB 2473: An Act amending the act of June 3, 1937 (P.L.1333, No.320), known as the Pennsylvania Election Code, in returns of primaries and elections, further providing for appeals to court from decisions of the county board and for Secretary of the Commonwealth to tabulate, compute and canvass returns; and, in recounts and contests, further providing for entry and effect of decision and providing for appeal.

This bill updates Pennsylvania election laws to establish strict timelines for handling election results and disputes. It requires the Secretary of the Commonwealth to finish counting and certifying votes within five days after an election, while also mandating that county boards and courts resolve appeals and recounts within seven days. The legislation creates a specific process where the Secretary must notify state lawmakers if they anticipate missing the certification deadline, and it allows immediate appeals to the Supreme Court for recount decisions. These changes directly affect election officials, candidates, and voters by aiming to speed up the finalization of election outcomes.

passed · Pennsylvania · House Jul 12, 2024

HB 2012: An Act amending Title 12 (Commerce and Trade) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for cause of action for antitrust conduct, for indirect purchaser recovery under State antitrust laws and for premerger notice of health care mergers and transactions; and imposing penalties.

This Pennsylvania bill establishes a new legal framework to combat anticompetitive practices in the state's markets, specifically targeting monopolies, collusion, and unfair market power. It allows private individuals and businesses to sue for damages if they are indirectly harmed by these illegal actions, expanding who can seek justice beyond just direct victims. The legislation also requires companies to notify state officials before merging health care facilities or forming provider networks, aiming to prevent deals that could reduce competition in medical services. Finally, the bill authorizes the state Attorney General to investigate violations and imposes significant fines on entities that break the new rules.

Nick Pisciottano (D) · 16 co-sponsors

passed · Pennsylvania · House Jul 12, 2024

HB 2175: An Act amending the act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), known as the Human Services Code, establishing the Office of Child Advocate; and imposing penalties.

This bill establishes an independent Office of Child Advocate within Pennsylvania's Human Services Code to protect the interests of children. The Governor will appoint a Child Advocate who must have at least six years of relevant experience and a bachelor's degree, and the office will operate independently of the department regarding decision-making. The Advocate and their staff are required to complete specific trainings on topics like trauma-informed care and crisis intervention, and they are designated as mandated reporters for suspected child abuse. Additionally, the bill defines the scope of child health, safety, and well-being programs, which include preventing abuse, providing foster care, and offering early intervention services.

Christina Sappey (D) · 29 co-sponsors

passed · Pennsylvania · House Jul 12, 2024

HB 1685: 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, repealing provisions relating to CPR instruction; and, in school health services, repealing provisions relating to automatic external defibrillators and providing for AED and CPR instruction and procedure, for Automated External Defibrillator Program and for availability and specifications of automated external defibrillators.

This bill requires all Pennsylvania public and private schools to have automated external defibrillators (AEDs) available at every interscholastic athletic event, including practices. It mandates that schools create a written emergency action plan for sudden cardiac events, which must include a list of trained staff and detailed steps for responding to a medical emergency. The legislation also updates teacher certification requirements to include CPR and AED training, replacing previous rules that focused on CPR instruction alone.

Tim Brennan (D) · 23 co-sponsors

passed · Pennsylvania · Senate Jul 11, 2024

SB 1026: An Act amending the act of December 19, 1975 (P.L.604, No.173), entitled "An act to facilitate the use of electronic funds transfer systems by providing that credits to accounts in financial institutions designated by recipients shall satisfy legal requirements for payments by cash or checks," further providing for electronic funds transfers, for consumer protections and for payroll card accounts.

This bill updates the state's laws governing electronic funds transfers and payroll card accounts to include specific consumer protections. It directly affects financial institutions and employers who use these systems to pay employees, requiring them to adhere to new safety and transparency standards. The legislation also modifies a reference in an existing 1975 law to align with current legal requirements for electronic payments. By clarifying rules for how money is moved electronically, the bill aims to ensure that digital payment methods are secure and reliable for workers.

passed · Pennsylvania · House Jul 11, 2024

HR 411: A Resolution designating the month of July 2024 as "Parks and Recreation Month" in Pennsylvania.

This bill designates the month of July 2024 as "Parks and Recreation Month" throughout Pennsylvania to highlight the importance of public parks and recreational programs. It serves as a commemorative resolution that recognizes the benefits of outdoor spaces for community health, economic growth, and environmental resilience. The measure does not create new laws, allocate funding, or change existing regulations, but rather formally acknowledges the value of these resources in the state.

passed · Pennsylvania · House Jul 11, 2024

HR 460: A Resolution designating July 19, 2024, as "Parks and Recreation Professionals Day" in Pennsylvania.

This Pennsylvania resolution designates July 19, 2024, as "Parks and Recreation Professionals Day" to honor the workers who maintain local parks and recreation facilities. The bill does not create new laws or change funding; instead, it serves as a symbolic gesture to recognize the contributions of these professionals to community health and environmental well-being. By adopting this designation, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives acknowledges the role of parks in promoting physical activity, mental wellness, and economic prosperity for residents.

passed · Pennsylvania · House Jul 9, 2024

HR 375: A Resolution designating the month of September 2024 as "Military Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.

This Pennsylvania House Resolution designates September 2024 as "Military Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month" to highlight the high suicide rates among veterans in the state. The measure aims to raise public consciousness about the issue by officially setting aside the month for recognition and support rather than implementing new laws or funding. It expresses support for ongoing federal and state efforts to assist veterans and their families while acknowledging the specific challenges they face.

Dan Miller (D) · 34 co-sponsors

passed · Pennsylvania · House Jul 9, 2024

HR 481: A Resolution directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to conduct a study and make recommendations on non-academic barriers students face getting accepted into career and technical education programs and identifying the barriers.

This bill directs the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to investigate why students are unable to enroll in career and technical education programs. The study will examine specific obstacles such as limited program availability, facility conditions, staffing shortages, and wait lists across the state. Additionally, the committee will analyze the current funding formula for these programs and review how other states address instructor credentialing to solve workforce gaps. The committee is required to submit a report with its findings and recommendations to the House of Representatives within 120 days.

passed · Pennsylvania · House Jul 9, 2024

HR 484: A Resolution recognizing the month of June 2024 as "Myasthenia Gravis Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.

This Pennsylvania House Resolution officially designates June 2024 as Myasthenia Gravis Awareness Month to highlight a chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disease. The measure encourages all residents to learn more about the condition and supports organizations working to educate the public and fund research. By recognizing this month, the resolution aims to increase awareness of MG symptoms and promote efforts toward finding a cure.

passed · Pennsylvania · Senate Jul 8, 2024

SR 316: A Resolution honoring the life and service of Toty Boley.

This resolution honors the life and service of Toty Boley, a constituent services representative for Senator Katie Muth who was killed in a motor vehicle accident in June 2024. The measure formally recognizes his educational achievements, his career in public service, and his dedication to his community before his untimely death. It also extends condolences to Boley's family and friends while acknowledging his legacy of helping others.

passed both · Pennsylvania · Senate Jul 8, 2024

SB 186: An Act amending Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses), 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) and 61 (Prisons and Parole) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in limitation of time, further providing for infancy, insanity or imprisonment; in matters affecting government units, further providing for exceptions to sovereign immunity and for exceptions to governmental immunity; making a repeal; and making editorial changes to replace references to the term "child pornography" with references to the term "child sexual abuse material."

This Pennsylvania bill updates state laws to clarify which inmates are ineligible for early release programs, specifically short sentence parole and certain parole eligibility rules. It directly affects prisoners convicted of specific serious offenses, such as incest, open lewdness, and crimes involving child sexual abuse material, by ensuring they cannot access these accelerated release options. The legislation also standardizes the term "child sexual abuse material" throughout the statutes to replace older references to "child pornography." Additionally, the bill makes minor editorial changes to correct references within the legal code.

Bill results