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Pennsylvania Bills

Track legislation and stay informed about the bills that matter to you.

State Legislature US Congress

All 25,815 Active 19,090 In committee 19,070 Passed 5,436 Signed 1,231 Failed 13

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 17, 2026

HB 2221: An Act designating a bridge, identified as Bridge Key 52427, carrying Pennsylvania Route 970 over the West Branch of the Susquehanna River in Bradford Township, Clearfield County, as the Ashley E. Woolridge Memorial Bridge.

HB 2221 designates Bridge Key 52427 on Pennsylvania Route 970 over the West Branch of the Susquehanna River in Bradford Township, Clearfield County, as the Ashley E. Woolridge Memorial Bridge. The bill requires the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to install and maintain signs displaying the new name on the bridge. This commemorative measure honors Ashley E. Woolridge, a WWII pilot and local community member, as documented in the bill's findings. The designation takes effect 60 days after enactment.

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Feb 13, 2026

SB 1188: An Act amending the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.177, No.175), known as The Administrative Code of 1929, in powers and duties of the Department of Public Instruction and its departmental administrative boards and commissions, further providing for collective bargaining.

SB 1188 amends Pennsylvania's 1929 Administrative Code to grant collective bargaining rights to school administrators employed by cities of the first class or school districts of the first class A. It allows these administrators to negotiate terms like pay, hours, working conditions, retirement, and benefits through labor organizations representing at least 50% of their peers. Disputes over these terms will be resolved by the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board using procedures similar to the Public Employers Relations Act. This bill directly affects school administrators in specific large cities and school districts, expanding their formal negotiation rights under state law.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Feb 13, 2026

SR 228: A Resolution recognizing September 25, 2026, as "Chuseok" in Pennsylvania.

This Senate Resolution (SR 228) symbolically recognizes September 25, 2026, as "Chuseok" in Pennsylvania. It does not create new laws, programs, or funding; instead, it formally acknowledges Chuseok - a Korean harvest festival and cultural celebration - through a legislative resolution. The resolution highlights Chuseok's significance as a time for family gatherings, ancestor rituals, and honoring harvest traditions, such as sharing traditional foods like songpyeon. This recognition is intended to encourage Pennsylvanians to learn about and celebrate Korean cultural heritage. As a commemorative resolution, it has no direct legal or policy impact on individuals or communities.

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Feb 13, 2026

SB 1187: An Act designating a bridge, identified as Bridge Key 45346, carrying Pennsylvania Route 653 over Buffalo Creek in Garrett Borough, Somerset County, as the Corporal Harold L. Gray Memorial Bridge.

SB 1187 designates the bridge at Bridge Key 45346 on Pennsylvania Route 653 over Buffalo Creek in Garrett Borough, Somerset County, as the Corporal Harold L. Gray Memorial Bridge. The bill honors Corporal Harold L. Gray, a World War II veteran from Garrett who received multiple military awards for bravery, including the Silver Star and Purple Heart, and contributed to his community after the war. The Department of Transportation will install signs displaying the new name on both sides of the bridge. This commemorative measure does not create new policies or affect any group's rights or obligations.

Topics ✓ Veterans

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Feb 13, 2026

SR 227: A Resolution designating May 7, 2026, as "The Day of Prayer and Fasting" in Pennsylvania.

This Senate Resolution (SR 227) designates May 7, 2026, as "The Day of Prayer and Fasting" in Pennsylvania. It is a ceremonial resolution calling for voluntary prayer, fasting, and reflection on that date, without creating new laws or obligations. The resolution references Pennsylvania's historical emphasis on religious liberty and draws parallels to other states observing similar days, but it has no legal effect on citizens or government operations.

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Feb 13, 2026

SB 1159: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in riot, disorderly conduct and related offenses, providing for the offense of use of live pigeons for target.

SB 1159 would make it a minor criminal offense to organize, operate, or permit events where live pigeons are used as targets for shooting contests, such as events where pigeons are launched or presented to shooters from a fixed location. The law specifically targets these contests for amusement or skill in marksmanship, but excludes activities authorized under Pennsylvania's game laws (like hunting) or dog training programs. It also does not apply to events with special permits under existing regulations. The bill would take effect 60 days after enactment.

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Feb 13, 2026

SB 1184: An Act amending Title 61 (Prisons and Parole) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, establishing the Prison Industry Enhancement Authority; providing for employment of incarcerated individuals by private industry and for subcontracts with correctional agencies; establishing guidelines for incarcerated individual compensation; and providing for location of private sector prison industry.

SB 1184 establishes Pennsylvania's Prison Industry Enhancement Authority to create structured employment opportunities for incarcerated individuals in private-sector work programs within correctional facilities. The bill requires private companies to partner with prisons under specific guidelines, ensuring incarcerated individuals earn wages that can cover room/board, compensate victims, and support dependents, while prohibiting displacement of civilian jobs. It mandates that compensation rates be fair, prohibits private industry from creating competitive advantages for businesses, and ensures programs focus on developing job skills to aid post-release employment. The law applies directly to Pennsylvania correctional facilities, private employers participating in these programs, and incarcerated individuals working in them. It does not permit privatization of prison operations or affect civilian labor markets.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Feb 13, 2026

SR 226: A Resolution recognizing February 15, 2026, as "International Childhood Cancer Day" in Pennsylvania.

This Senate Resolution (SR 226) formally recognizes February 15, 2026, as "International Childhood Cancer Day" in Pennsylvania. It expresses the Senate's support for raising awareness about pediatric cancer, honoring children affected by the disease, and acknowledging efforts to improve treatments and research. The resolution has no binding effect or policy changes - it is a symbolic gesture to encourage public awareness and support for families and advocates. It does not directly affect any individuals or allocate funding.

Scott Martin (R) · 18 co-sponsors

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 12, 2026

HB 2216: An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in juvenile matters, providing for special immigrant juvenile status predicate orders.

HB 2216 creates new court procedures in Pennsylvania for juvenile courts to issue "predicate orders" required for immigrant youth to apply for federal Special Immigrant Juvenile Status. It directly affects immigrant youth under 21 who have experienced abuse, abandonment, or neglect and need these court orders to seek U.S. immigration protections. Key provisions include establishing a lower burden of proof (preponderance of evidence), presuming it is not in the juvenile’s best interest to return to their home country, and allowing courts to issue orders without parental notice if abandonment occurred for six months. The bill adds specific court procedures to Pennsylvania’s juvenile law to streamline this process, ensuring youth can access federal immigration pathways.

Topics ✓ Immigration

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 12, 2026

HB 2217: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in terms and courses of study, providing for recess and lunch periods.

HB 2217 requires Pennsylvania public schools to provide specific minimum recess and lunch periods for students. It mandates at least 30 minutes of recess daily for full-day kindergarten through fifth grade, 15 minutes for half-day kindergarten, and 30 consecutive minutes of lunch for all full-day kindergarten through twelfth grade. The bill prohibits withholding lunch for discipline or make-up work, ensures students can opt out of cafeteria lunch for religious reasons, and prevents schools from reducing non-tested subject instruction time to provide recess without balancing with tested subjects. This applies to all school entities (including districts, charter schools, and cyber charters) and takes effect July 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ Education

Danielle Otten (D) · 25 co-sponsors

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 11, 2026

HB 2211: An Act amending the act of September 30, 1983 (P.L.160, No.39), known as the Public Official Compensation Law, further providing for judicial salaries, for compensation of Governor and Lieutenant Governor, State Treasurer, Auditor General, Attorney General, Commissioners of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission and heads of departments and for members of the General Assembly.

HB 2211 ends automatic annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for Pennsylvania public officials after specific dates. It stops future COLAs for judges (effective January 1, 2026), the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, State Treasurer, Auditor General, Attorney General, department heads, and General Assembly members (effective November 30, 2025). The bill amends existing law to replace the current CPI-U-based COLA mechanism with a fixed end date for these adjustments. This change applies to all affected officials whose compensation was previously tied to the Consumer Price Index for the Pennsylvania-New Jersey-Delaware-Maryland area.

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 11, 2026

HB 2209: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in miscellaneous provisions relating to institutions of higher education, providing for communism and socialism education.

HB 2209 requires all state-funded institutions of higher education in Pennsylvania to implement a mandatory one-credit course on "the dangers and realities of communism and socialism" starting in the 2027-2028 school year. The course must cover specific topics including definitions of capitalism, communism, and socialism; historical examples like China, Cuba, and the Soviet Union; comparisons between free markets and communist systems; and the impact on civil liberties. It applies to all public universities, community colleges, and state-funded private institutions as defined in the bill. The law mandates this curriculum for all students at these institutions, with no exemption for existing courses. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✗ Education