Labor and Industry

This bill allows the Pennsylvania State Workers' Insurance Fund to invest up to 20% of its assets in equity investments, expanding its current authority which is limited to securities authorized for savings banks. The legislation directly affects the fund's management by permitting the Board of Directors to approve these higher-risk investments to potentially increase returns. All investments must be held by the State Treasurer, who will manage the collection of interest and principal payments based on the Board's authorization. The changes take effect 60 days after the bill becomes law.

HB 2014 amends the 2012 Child Labor Act to clarify rules for minors participating in volunteer emergency service organizations (like junior fire departments or youth emergency response teams). It directly affects minors aged 14-17 who volunteer in these roles by establishing specific safety and supervision requirements. The bill modifies existing provisions to ensure minors' work hours, tasks, and training align with child labor protections during emergency service activities. (Note: Specific new requirements are not detailed in the provided context.) The bill was recently referred to the Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness committee.

This bill, titled the Broadcast Freemarket Agreement Act, prohibits employers in the radio, television, and digital media industries from enforcing non-compete clauses in employment contracts. It declares such agreements void if they stop workers from moving to other companies or performing services within a specific geographic area after leaving their current job. The law also ensures that employees cannot be forced to sign away these protections, while still allowing employers to maintain confidentiality agreements regarding trade secrets.

This bill grants school administrators in Pennsylvania's first-class cities and school districts the right to engage in collective bargaining with their employers. It allows these administrators to negotiate terms regarding pay, working hours, benefits, and dispute resolution through designated representatives. The Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board will handle any disagreements about these bargaining items using the same process applied to other public employees. The changes apply immediately upon the bill's enactment.

SB 142 prohibits employers in Pennsylvania's broadcast industry (including TV, radio, and digital media companies) from enforcing non-compete clauses in employment agreements. It makes such clauses void and unenforceable if they restrict an employee's ability to move to a new employer or work within a specific geographic area after leaving a job. The bill does not affect agreements requiring employees to keep company information confidential. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.