Pennsylvania Bills

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 13, 2026

SR 269: A Resolution designating the month of May 2026 as "Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.

This Senate Resolution designates May 2026 as "Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania to increase public awareness of the disease. The bill directly affects state officials and the general public by formally recognizing the month for educational purposes. It does not create new laws, allocate funding, or mandate specific actions for businesses or individuals. The resolution serves as a commemorative measure to highlight the impact of ALS on patients and families while acknowledging ongoing research efforts.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 13, 2026

HB 2277: An Act amending Title 23 (Domestic Relations) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in standby and temporary guardianship, further providing for definitions and for petition for approval of a designation.

This bill amends Pennsylvania's standby guardianship laws to clarify definitions and streamline the process for seeking court approval of a designated guardian. It directly affects parents who want to name a standby guardian to care for their minor children if the parent becomes incapacitated, disabled, absent, or passes away. The key provision requires specific documentation to prove the triggering event has occurred before a standby guardian can file a petition for court approval, including medical determinations, consent forms, absence documentation, or a death certificate. The changes take effect 60 days after the bill is enacted.

passed · Pennsylvania · House Apr 13, 2026

HR 451: A Resolution recognizing the week of April 11 through 17, 2026, as "Black Maternal Health Week" in Pennsylvania to bring attention to the maternal health crisis and the importance of reducing maternal mortality and morbidity among Black women.

This bill designates the week of April 11 through 17, 2026, as "Black Maternal Health Week" in Pennsylvania to raise awareness about maternal health disparities affecting Black women. The resolution highlights statistics showing that Black women in the state face significantly higher pregnancy-related death rates compared to other groups, with many cases deemed preventable. It does not create new funding or policy requirements but serves as a symbolic gesture to focus public and legislative attention on the issue. The measure is sponsored by multiple representatives and referred to the Committee on Children and Youth for consideration.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Gina Curry (D) · 23 co-sponsors

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 13, 2026

HB 2102: An Act amending the act of November 24, 2004 (P.L.1270, No.153), referred to as the Pennsylvania Amber Alert System Law, further providing for title of the act, for Pennsylvania Amber Alert System and Missing Endangered Person Advisory System (MEPAS) established and for immunity.

HB 2102 amends Pennsylvania's Amber Alert law to create a new "Pennsylvania Purple Alert System" for missing individuals with specific conditions, including autism, Alzheimer's (under age 60), dementia (under age 60), traumatic brain injury, or similar impairments. The Pennsylvania State Police will establish and maintain this system to provide public alerts and coordinate with law enforcement for faster recovery of these vulnerable individuals. The bill updates the law's title to include the Purple Alert System and expands existing immunity protections for good Samaritans who assist in Amber Alert, MEPAS, or Purple Alert cases. This change adds a targeted alert system without altering the existing Amber Alert procedures.

Robert Leadbeter (R) · 27 co-sponsors

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 13, 2026

HB 711: An Act amending the act of November 10, 1999 (P.L.491, No.45), known as the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act, in preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; and, in exemptions, applicability and penalties, further providing for exemptions.

HB 711 amends Pennsylvania's construction code to exempt specific residential facilities from stricter fire sprinkler requirements. It defines "community home for individuals with autism or intellectual disability" and specifies that one- or two-family dwellings operating as such homes are not subject to Group R-3/R-4 sprinkler rules under the International Building Code. This directly affects facilities providing residential care to people with autism or intellectual disabilities, excluding private homes, government-run facilities, and certain other exempted settings. The bill creates a targeted exemption for these dwellings under the construction code, without altering broader safety standards.

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 13, 2026

HB 1247: An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in rules of evidence, providing for prohibition of deception during custodial interrogation of individual with intellectual disability or autism.

HB 1247 prohibits law enforcement officers from using deception - such as false promises of leniency or misleading information - during custodial interrogations of individuals with intellectual disabilities or autism. Any confession obtained through such deception would be presumed inadmissible in criminal or juvenile court cases for offenses that would be misdemeanors or felonies if committed by an adult. The state (Commonwealth) must prove the confession was voluntary by a preponderance of evidence to overcome this presumption, shifting the burden of proof from the defense to the prosecution. This applies to all custodial interrogations conducted at police stations or other detention facilities.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 13, 2026

HB 1964: An Act providing for a moratorium on the privatization of public water and wastewater systems; establishing the Water Utility Reform Working Group; and making a repeal relating to valuation of acquired water and wastewater systems.

HB 1964 imposes a temporary pause (moratorium) on selling or leasing public water and wastewater systems to private companies. It creates a Water Utility Reform Working Group to develop recommendations for system management and reform. The bill also repeals specific rules about how acquired water systems are valued. This directly affects communities that own public water systems and their residents, as it delays potential privatization and sets up a process for reviewing system operations.

Danilo Burgos (D) · 27 co-sponsors

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 13, 2026

HR 327: A Resolution directing the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a study evaluating the feasibility of a multifaceted approach to decreasing food waste given this Commonwealth's current infrastructure.

HR 327 is a resolution directing the Joint State Government Commission to study how to reduce food waste in the state using multiple strategies, considering existing infrastructure. It would evaluate practical approaches for decreasing food waste across the Commonwealth, focusing on what is currently feasible. The resolution itself does not change laws or funding but would produce a report to inform future policy decisions. This study would be conducted by the Commission, with findings potentially guiding future legislative action on food waste reduction.

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 13, 2026

HR 240: A Resolution recognizing the month of January 2026 as "Stalking Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.

HR 240 is a resolution designating January 2026 as "Stalking Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania. This resolution formally recognizes the month to promote public awareness about stalking and encourage community efforts to address the issue. It does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic designation to highlight stalking prevention and support resources. The resolution was referred to the Judiciary committee and reported as committed in 2025.

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 13, 2026

HR 58: A Resolution urging the Congress of the United States to pass a constitutional amendment that provides that neither slavery nor involuntary servitude may be imposed as a punishment for a crime.

HR 58 is a resolution urging Congress to propose a constitutional amendment banning slavery and involuntary servitude as punishments for criminal offenses. It directly targets a legal exception in the 13th Amendment that currently permits such practices within the criminal justice system. The resolution itself has no legal effect but seeks to initiate the constitutional amendment process to address this longstanding exception.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 13, 2026

HB 879: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in riot, disorderly conduct and related offenses, providing for concurrent jurisdiction to prosecute.

HB 879 would change Pennsylvania law to allow both state and local prosecutors to pursue charges for riot, disorderly conduct, and related offenses that currently fall under state jurisdiction alone. This bill directly affects law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and individuals charged with these specific offenses by expanding who can bring legal action. The key provision establishes "concurrent jurisdiction," meaning local district attorneys and the state attorney general could both prosecute the same case without requiring state involvement. The bill aims to streamline enforcement for these offenses but does not alter the penalties or definitions of the crimes themselves.

Mary Isaacson (D) · 21 co-sponsors

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 9, 2026

HB 2369: 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 streamline how votes are counted and how disputes are handled in primaries and general elections. It requires the Secretary of the Commonwealth to immediately tabulate and certify election results, while also mandating that courts resolve election appeals within seven days. Additionally, the legislation allows for a rapid appeal to the Supreme Court within one day of a lower court's decision, ensuring a final ruling is issued before the meeting of presidential electors. These changes aim to accelerate the certification of election outcomes and provide a faster legal process for challenging election results.

Bill results