Pennsylvania Bills

passed · Pennsylvania · House Apr 23, 2026

HB 1558: An Act requiring baby diaper changing stations in certain public buildings when a restroom is installed or renovated; and imposing penalties.

HB 1558 requires public buildings to install baby diaper changing stations whenever a restroom is newly installed or renovated. This applies directly to facilities like libraries, community centers, and government offices that undergo restroom construction or updates. The bill mandates these stations be accessible and functional, with penalties imposed for failing to comply. It focuses on practical accessibility for caregivers and infants in public spaces without altering existing restroom requirements.

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 22, 2026

HR 489: A Resolution designating May 17, 2026, as the "25th Anniversary of the Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program Day" in Pennsylvania.

This bill designates May 17, 2026, as the "25th Anniversary of the Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program Day" in Pennsylvania. The resolution recognizes the program, which allows businesses to receive tax credits for donations to scholarship organizations that fund tuition for students in public and private schools. By formally acknowledging the program's 25-year history, the bill highlights its role in providing educational options for families across the state without changing any existing laws or policies.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 22, 2026

SB 1296: An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in commercial drivers, further providing for purpose and construction of chapter, providing for English proficiency standard and further providing for disqualification; and imposing penalties.

Senate Bill 1296 requires commercial drivers in Pennsylvania to demonstrate English proficiency by being able to converse with the public, understand traffic signs, respond to officials, and complete reports. Drivers who fail to meet this standard face a $500 fine and a one-year disqualification for a first offense, with penalties increasing for repeat violations. The bill also imposes fines on employers and contractors if their drivers are convicted of violating the English proficiency requirement.

Topics ✓ Transportation

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 22, 2026

HB 2442: An Act amending the act of May 1, 1984 (P.L.206, No.43), known as the Pennsylvania Safe Drinking Water Act, providing for temporary operating license; and imposing duties on the Department of Agriculture.

HB 2442 amends Pennsylvania's Safe Drinking Water Act to allow the Department of Agriculture to issue temporary operating licenses to applicants seeking retail food facility permits. To qualify, applicants must prove they have submitted a complete public water system permit application and provide certified lab tests showing their water system meets federal standards. The temporary license remains valid only while the permit application is pending and automatically expires if the permit is issued, denied, or if the applicant fails to submit required compliance tests every six months.

Topics ✓ Environment

Jamie Walsh (R) · 24 co-sponsors

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 22, 2026

HB 2441: 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, providing for educational specialist experience-based certification; and making an editorial change.

HB 2441 creates a new experience-based certification pathway in Pennsylvania for school counselors and school nurses, allowing them to work while completing additional education. The bill requires these professionals to hold a relevant master's or doctoral degree, pass a specific professional exam, and complete a set number of supervised clinical hours. It also mandates continuing education credits, including training on child abuse reporting and suicide prevention, and limits the temporary certification to a maximum of five years.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 22, 2026

HB 2421: An Act amending the act of April 12, 1951 (P.L.90, No.21), known as the Liquor Code, in licenses and regulations and liquor, alcohol and malt and brewed beverages, further providing for sales by liquor licensees and restrictions, providing for event permits and further providing for unlawful acts relative to malt or brewed beverages and licensees.

HB 2421 amends Pennsylvania's Liquor Code to allow specific liquor licensees, such as hotels and restaurants, to sell alcohol for private events. The bill creates a new event permit system that lets these businesses sell alcohol starting at 6 a.m. and ending at 4 a.m. the following day, with different rules applying to Sunday events. To use this system, licensees must apply at least 60 days in advance, pay a $500 annual fee, and can receive no more than ten permits per year. The legislation also clarifies existing sales restrictions for various license types, including hotels, restaurants, clubs, and public service providers.

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 22, 2026

HB 2445: An Act amending the act of June 27, 1996 (P.L.403, No.58), known as the Community and Economic Development Enhancement Act, providing for Office of Housing Opportunity.

This bill creates a new Office of Housing Opportunity within Pennsylvania's Department of Community and Economic Development to oversee housing production goals. The office will be led by a Deputy Secretary appointed by the Governor and will work with other state agencies to develop and meet ten-year housing targets. A new advisory committee will be formed to guide the office, including representatives from the General Assembly, local governments, and housing experts. The office will also manage a grant program for residential economic development districts and publish annual reports on housing progress.

Topics ✓ Housing

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 22, 2026

HB 2444: 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 death benefit eligibility.

This bill expands death benefit eligibility in Pennsylvania for firefighters who die from cancer linked to their work. To qualify, a firefighter must have served at least four years, had direct exposure to a carcinogen, and passed a pre-service physical exam showing no signs of cancer. The law presumes these deaths occurred while performing official duties, allowing their families to receive financial support under the existing Emergency and Law Enforcement Personnel Death Benefits Act. The changes will take effect 60 days after the bill is signed into law.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

John Inglis (D) · 23 co-sponsors

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 22, 2026

SB 980: An Act amending Title 35 (Health and Safety) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in Commonwealth services, further providing for assistance to fire companies and EMS companies and providing for protection against PFAS chemicals and for firefighting protective equipment; in grants to fire companies and emergency medical services companies, further providing for award of grants; and imposing penalties.

SB 980 bans the manufacture, sale, and use of class B firefighting foam containing intentionally added PFAS chemicals after July 1, 2026 (for manufacturers/sellers) and January 1, 2027 (for users), with limited exceptions for federal requirements and exempt facilities like airports. It requires manufacturers of firefighting protective gear to label products containing PFAS and provide online information about PFAS content. The bill establishes civil penalties for violations (up to $5,000 for first offenses, $10,000 for repeat offenses) and creates new grant funding for fire companies to dispose of PFAS foam and purchase PFAS-free alternatives, with penalty revenue directed to these programs.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 22, 2026

SB 44: An Act amending Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses) and 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in human trafficking, further providing for definitions and providing for victim determination statement and for State Human Trafficking Resource Coordinator; and, in licensing of drivers, providing for restoration of operating privilege for victims of human trafficking.

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 21, 2026

HB 2431: An Act amending the act of November 21, 2016 (P.L.1318, No.169), known as the Pharmacy Audit Integrity and Transparency Act, in enforcements, further providing for scope of enforcement authority.

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.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 21, 2026

HB 2330: An Act amending Title 66 (Public Utilities) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in service and facilities, providing for master-meter system and submetering program for landlord ratepayers; and establishing programs.

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.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Housing

Bill results