HB 1530, the Genetic Information Privacy Act, requires direct-to-consumer genetic testing companies operating in Pennsylvania to protect residents' genetic data. Companies must obtain clear, separate consent for data collection, use, sharing, and retention; implement security measures; and provide consumers with access to or deletion of their data. The bill specifically prohibits sharing genetic data with insurers, employers, or third parties without explicit written consent. Violations could result in $2,500 civil penalties per incident, enforced by the Attorney General’s office. The law applies to Pennsylvania residents and covers genetic data like DNA test results, but excludes research data collected under federal health privacy rules.
HB 1299 amends Pennsylvania's Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law to regulate automatic renewal and continuous service offers. It requires businesses to clearly disclose renewal terms, pricing after trials, and cancellation options in a way consumers can retain, and to allow online cancellation. The law applies to most subscription-based goods/services but excludes health clubs, federally regulated utilities, natural gas/electricity contracts, and insurance entities. Violations would be treated as unfair trade practices under existing enforcement mechanisms.
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Consumer Protection
HB 2064 increases the maximum fee that clerks of courts in Pennsylvania counties of second class A and third through eighth class (including home rule counties of the same class) can charge for initiating a legal action to $10 (from $5). The fee must be deposited into a county-specific "automation fund" to cover only court technology updates and automation improvements. Future fee increases are capped at the three-year Consumer Price Index change and can occur no more than once every three years. This bill directly affects residents and businesses filing lawsuits in these specific counties.
HB 1640 protects patient privacy for reproductive health care records in Pennsylvania. It requires healthcare providers (covered entities) to obtain written permission from patients before sharing records related to permitted reproductive services - such as pregnancy care, contraception, or abortion - except in limited circumstances like court orders, abuse investigations, or legal defense needs. The law explicitly preserves existing confidentiality protections under other state laws, including those for mental health and domestic violence services. It applies directly to patients seeking reproductive health care and the healthcare providers handling their records.
HB 989 extends a 3-day "cooling-off period" for consumers who purchase goods or services priced at $25 or more through door-to-door sales, phone calls, or online platforms. It requires sellers to provide a bilingual receipt and a detachable cancellation form at the time of sale, clearly stating the right to cancel within three business days. Consumers must return merchandise in its original condition and notify sellers in writing to cancel, with sellers required to refund payments within 10 business days. This bill directly affects buyers in these specific sales scenarios and mandates new disclosure requirements for sellers under Pennsylvania's consumer protection law.
SB 930 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to strengthen school safety and security systems. It establishes a School Safety and Security Committee, requires schools to appoint coordinators for safety planning, and mandates annual training for staff on topics like cyber safety, active shooter drills, and mental health awareness. The bill creates a grant program funding mental health services and cyber security measures (e.g., preventing data breaches), with funds restricted to these purposes. Schools must report safety meeting attendance and security personnel details annually, starting in 2026, to their boards of directors. These changes directly affect public school districts, charter schools, and their administrators.
HB 891 creates the Keystone State Apprenticeship Tax Credit Program, providing tax incentives to Pennsylvania businesses that hire apprentices. It directly affects employers participating in approved apprenticeship programs, with preference given to those training disadvantaged youth (low-income individuals aged 16-24) and businesses in key sectors like clean energy, healthcare, and technology. The program allocates up to $10 million annually in tax credits from 2025 to 2030, administered by the Department of Labor and Industry, which will determine eligibility and prioritize employers based on specific criteria like apprentice graduation rates and program novelty. Businesses must register apprenticeship agreements with the department to qualify for the credit.
HB 518 amends Pennsylvania's Unfair Trade Practices law to address consumer guarantees generated by artificial intelligence. It specifically makes it unlawful for businesses to fail to honor written guarantees, warranties, or policies created by consumer-facing AI systems. The bill defines "artificial intelligence" broadly to include systems that perform human-like tasks (e.g., learning, decision-making) without significant human oversight. This directly affects businesses using AI for customer commitments, adding a new prohibited practice under the state's consumer protection law. The change clarifies that deceptive AI-generated promises now fall under existing penalties for unfair trade practices.
HB 1437 creates a temporary sales tax exemption in Pennsylvania for specific personal items during an annual window. It excludes clothing accessories, footwear, school supplies, computers/software, and certain bedding items from sales tax when purchased by individuals for nonbusiness use during the first Friday in August through the following Sunday. The Department of Revenue must post a list of qualifying items online by July 10 each year. This policy change directly affects individual consumers shopping for these items during the defined exclusion period.
HR 87 is a resolution directing Pennsylvania's Joint State Government Commission to study security risks to critical infrastructure from foreign purchases of infrastructure assets and adjacent land. The study will examine current state protections, compare approaches used by other states, and assess whether adopting a process similar to the federal CFIUS review (which evaluates foreign investments for national security risks) would be feasible. It requires the Commission to report findings and recommendations to the General Assembly within 24 months. This resolution does not create new laws but aims to inform future policy decisions about protecting critical infrastructure.
