Pennsylvania Bills

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 27, 2026

HB 2454: An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, in sales and use tax, further providing for exclusions from tax.

This Pennsylvania bill creates a temporary tax exemption for the sale and use of flags, flag poles, and related accessories. The exclusion applies only to individual buyers purchasing these items for personal, non-business purposes during a six-month window starting on July 1, 2026. The law defines a purchaser as someone who places an order and pays by cash or credit within that six-month period, even if the item is delivered later. The Department of Revenue will publish online guidance to help the public understand how to claim this exemption.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 27, 2026

HB 2439: An Act amending Title 51 (Military Affairs) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in veterans' organizations, further providing for grants to veterans' service officer programs.

This bill updates Pennsylvania laws to clarify how state grants are distributed to veterans' service officer programs. It requires designated organizations to submit detailed annual reports on their activities, budgets, and financial audits to state officials and legislative committees. The legislation also establishes rules for calculating grant amounts based on submitted spending plans and past performance, ensuring funds are prorated if the total budget is insufficient. These changes are designed to improve transparency and accountability for how veterans' service groups use public funding.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Veterans

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 27, 2026

HB 2452: An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, in sales and use tax, further providing for exclusions from tax.

This bill proposes to temporarily exempt the sales and use tax on cribs, crib mattresses, and strollers in Pennsylvania. The exemption applies only to individual buyers purchasing these items for personal use during a six-month period starting July 1, 2026. Under the new rules, a sale is considered to occur when an individual places an order and pays for the item within that six-month window, even if delivery happens later. The Department of Revenue will issue online guidance to help businesses and consumers understand how to apply this temporary tax break.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 27, 2026

HB 2459: An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, in sales and use tax, further providing for exclusions from tax.

This bill proposes a temporary sales tax exemption for exercise equipment purchased by individuals for personal use. The measure would allow buyers to avoid paying sales tax on items such as machines, tools, or wearable gear designed to improve physical strength or flexibility. This tax break applies only during a six-month window starting on July 1, 2026, and covers purchases made within that period even if the equipment is delivered later. The Department of Revenue would be responsible for publishing online guidance to help consumers understand how to claim this exclusion.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

passed · Pennsylvania · House Apr 27, 2026

HR 63: A Resolution directing the Joint State Government Commission to study diversion programs and make recommendations for improving existing diversion programs and establishing new diversion programs.

This resolution directs Pennsylvania's Joint State Government Commission to study current diversion programs and recommend improvements or new programs. It requires the commission to examine barriers to existing programs, analyze successful models from other states, and provide a report to the House within one year. Diversion programs - which offer alternatives to incarceration for low-level offenses, mental health crises, or substance use issues - would be the focus of this review. The resolution does not create new law but aims to inform future policy changes.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 27, 2026

HB 237: An Act amending the act of June 24, 1976 (P.L.424, No.101), referred to as the Emergency and Law Enforcement Personnel Death Benefits Act, further providing for title of act, for application and authority for payment and eligibility and amount of benefit and for definitions.

HB 237 expands Pennsylvania's death benefits for first responders' families to include cases where a firefighter, officer, or emergency worker dies from mental health conditions linked to on-duty trauma. It creates a legal presumption of line-of-duty death if the person died while influenced by a diagnosed psychiatric disorder from traumatic events (like crime scenes or mass casualties) or within 45 days of such exposure with an undiagnosed condition. The bill adds specific definitions for "personal injury sustained in the line of duty" to include PTSD and related disorders, and clarifies that traumatic events cover incidents involving serious injury, minors, or life threats. Benefits apply retroactively to deaths occurring on or after January 1, 2019, regardless of when the trauma happened.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Missy Cerrato (D) · 29 co-sponsors

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 27, 2026

HB 888: An Act amending Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses), 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) and 61 (Prisons and Parole) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in authorized disposition of offenders, further providing for sentence for murder, murder of unborn child and murder of law enforcement officer; in arson, criminal mischief and other property destruction, further providing for the offense of arson and related offenses; in jurisdiction of appellate courts, further providing for direct appeals from courts of common pleas; in post-trial matters, further providing for postconviction DNA testing and for disposition and appeal; in sentencing, further providing for sentencing procedure for murder of the first degree; and, in execution procedure and method, repealing provisions relating to issuance of warrant.

HB 888 amends Pennsylvania's criminal sentencing laws, primarily affecting those convicted of specific violent crimes. It mandates life imprisonment without parole for first-degree murder of an unborn child (explicitly excluding the death penalty), while requiring the same sentence for murder of law enforcement officers. The bill also establishes automatic appellate review for death sentences and tightens requirements for DNA testing motions in capital cases, requiring applicants to prove actual innocence through sworn statements. These changes apply to cases under Titles 18, 42, and 61 of Pennsylvania's statutes.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 27, 2026

HB 1945: An Act amending the act of April 14, 1972 (P.L.233, No.64), known as The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act, further providing for drug overdose response immunity.

HB 1945 amends Pennsylvania's Controlled Substance Act to expand legal immunity for individuals who call 911 during a drug overdose. It directly affects bystanders and overdose victims who seek emergency help, protecting them from drug possession charges when reporting an overdose. The bill strengthens existing immunity by broadening the circumstances under which calling for assistance won't lead to criminal penalties. This policy change aims to encourage prompt emergency response without fear of legal repercussions for drug-related offenses.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 27, 2026

HB 99: An Act amending Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses), 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) and 61 (Prisons and Parole) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in authorized disposition of offenders, further providing for sentence for murder, murder of unborn child and murder of law enforcement officer; in arson, criminal mischief and other property destruction, further providing for the offense of arson and related offenses; in jurisdiction of appellate courts, further providing for direct appeals from courts of common pleas; in post-trial matters, further providing for postconviction DNA testing and for disposition and appeal; in sentencing, further providing for sentencing procedure for murder of the first degree; and, in execution procedure and method, repealing provisions relating to issuance of warrant.

HB 99 amends Pennsylvania criminal law to change sentencing for murder (including murder of an unborn child or law enforcement officer), clarify arson and property destruction offenses, and update appellate procedures. It establishes direct appeals from common pleas courts for certain cases, adds requirements for postconviction DNA testing, and removes outdated procedures for execution warrants. The bill directly affects courts, prosecutors, defense attorneys, and individuals convicted of crimes covered under the amended statutes. These changes aim to standardize sentencing and legal processes without altering current penalties or introducing new criminal charges.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Chris Rabb (D) · 17 co-sponsors

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 27, 2026

HR 157: A Resolution urging the Congress of the United States to pass H.R. 1947, the Treatment and Relief through Emerging and Accessible Therapy for PTSD Act or similar legislation dealing with stellate ganglion block therapy to veterans and members of the armed forces of the United States with post-traumatic stress disorder, during the 119th United States Congress.

This Pennsylvania House resolution (HR 157) urges the U.S. Congress to pass H.R. 3023 (or similar legislation) during the 119th Congress, which would require the Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense to provide stellate ganglion block (SGB) therapy to veterans and military members with PTSD. SGB is a low-risk neck injection procedure that targets nerves controlling stress responses, potentially alleviating symptoms like anxiety and hyperarousal. The resolution cites that 23% of recent veterans and 12-15% of older veterans have PTSD diagnoses, with current treatments helping only 40% of patients. It emphasizes SGB's decades-long use and support from veterans' organizations as a potential treatment option.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

Dave Zimmerman (R) · 22 co-sponsors

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 23, 2026

SR 247: A Resolution honoring and expressing unwavering support from the Senate of Pennsylvania to the soldiers, airmen, marines and sailors of the United States Armed Forces serving in Operation Epic Fury and recognizing their courage, sacrifice and devotion to the defense of liberty.

This Senate Resolution honors Pennsylvania service members participating in Operation Epic Fury and expresses the state's support for their efforts. It recognizes the courage and sacrifice of soldiers, airmen, marines, sailors, and guardians while acknowledging the historical context of threats from Iran. The measure does not change laws or allocate funds but instead formally commends these troops and their families for their dedication to national security. A copy of the resolution will be sent to the Secretary of War and Pennsylvania's members of Congress.

Topics ✓ Veterans

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 23, 2026

SB 1263: An Act amending Title 53 (Municipalities Generally) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in preemptions, providing for prohibiting occupancy limits.

This bill prevents Pennsylvania local governments from setting rules that limit how many family members can live in a single home. It achieves this by amending state statutes to explicitly ban occupancy restrictions based on familial relationships, which include connections through blood, marriage, adoption, or foster care. While the law removes these specific family-based limits, it allows municipalities to still enforce occupancy rules if they are necessary for health, safety, fire codes, or wastewater standards. The changes become effective 60 days after the bill is passed.

Topics ✓ Housing

Bill results