Senate Bill 1326 updates Pennsylvania's Public School Code to strengthen background checks for school employees by expanding the scope of criminal history reviews to include those who work on school premises but do not have direct contact with children. Effective July 1, 2026, the bill requires schools and independent contractors to verify employment history and certification status for all applicants in positions involving children or on-site work. Additionally, independent contractors must disclose any past investigations or disciplinary actions related to abuse or sexual misconduct before assigning employees to schools, and schools may reject such assignments if they object to the disclosed history.
This Senate resolution designates the week of April 19 through 25, 2026, as "National Crime Victims' Rights Week" in Pennsylvania. The measure directly affects the state Senate by formally recognizing this observance period to honor crime victims and survivors. It includes a statement reaffirming the Senate's commitment to protecting victims' rights and supporting victim services throughout the year. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic acknowledgment of the importance of victim support.
This bill amends Pennsylvania's turnpike laws to clarify that electronic toll collection data can be shared with law enforcement to help locate abducted children or missing persons at risk. Specifically, it ensures that privacy protections for toll records do not prevent authorities from accessing this information when responding to Amber Alerts or other missing person cases. The legislation directly affects the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission and law enforcement agencies by defining the scope of data sharing for public safety purposes. It does not create new tolling systems or change how drivers pay, but rather establishes a legal exception to privacy rules for emergency situations. The changes will take effect 60 days after the bill is enacted.
This bill creates a new criminal offense in Pennsylvania for unintentionally causing death while driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. It directly affects drivers who kill someone while impaired, raising the penalty from a second-degree felony to a mandatory first-degree felony. The law also sets specific minimum prison terms, such as five years for a first offense and longer sentences for repeat offenders or those with prior DUI convictions.
This bill updates Pennsylvania's juvenile justice laws by expanding the legal definition of a "child" to include individuals up to age 21 who committed offenses or were previously adjudicated dependent before turning 18. It also clarifies that minors and their guardians generally cannot be forced to pay fees for programs or services, with the specific exception of restitution ordered for victims. Under the new provisions, courts can order delinquent children to pay restitution for damages, capped at $50 per victim for specific funds, and may require up to 75% of earnings from community service to be used for victim compensation. The legislation ensures that courts retain jurisdiction over restitution orders until the child turns 21 or fully complies with the payment plan.
This bill allows individuals in Pennsylvania to request the expungement of their criminal history records once they turn 65 years old, provided they have not been arrested or prosecuted for ten years after being released from confinement or supervision. The change lowers the previous age requirement of 70, making it easier for older adults to clear their records under specific conditions. If passed, the law would take effect 60 days after signing, directly affecting the eligibility criteria for expungement in the state.
This Pennsylvania bill requires law enforcement agencies to conduct additional background checks on applicants who previously worked for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The law mandates that these applicants submit detailed employment history forms, including contact information for all supervisors and written statements about any deadly force investigations or disciplinary actions. If an applicant discloses negative information, the hiring agency must request full records from the former employer, and a state commission will review the case to determine fitness for employment. The bill also establishes confidentiality protections for the information gathered and prohibits hiring applicants who fail to provide the required disclosures.
This bill proposes to change how Pennsylvania determines who is eligible to serve on juries by removing a specific disqualification for people currently serving prison sentences. Under the current law, individuals convicted of crimes punishable by more than one year in prison are barred from jury service, but this bill would allow them to serve while they are incarcerated. The change would apply to all citizens who meet the basic age and residency requirements for voting, regardless of their criminal conviction status. The legislation would become effective 60 days after being signed into law.
This Senate Resolution designates March 18, 2026, as "Gideon's Day" in Pennsylvania to honor public defenders and the 1963 Supreme Court ruling that guarantees legal counsel to those who cannot afford it. The measure is symbolic and does not create new laws or funding; it simply recognizes the importance of public defenders in protecting constitutional rights during criminal proceedings. The resolution highlights the role public defenders play in representing indigent clients and acknowledges the challenges they face, though it stops short of mandating specific policy changes or resource allocations.
This Pennsylvania bill creates a new criminal offense for interfering with religious worship, which would apply to individuals who intentionally disrupt religious services or block access to places of worship. The law defines interference as knowingly entering or remaining in a religious building after being asked to leave and disrupting activities, or using force, threats, or physical obstruction to harm or impede people exercising their religion. Violations would be classified as third-degree misdemeanors for simple disruption and second-degree misdemeanors for actions involving force or threats. The bill takes effect 60 days after passage and defines religious worship locations as buildings or grounds regularly used for religious activities.
