This Pennsylvania bill regulates wearable recording devices, such as smartwatches and glasses, by requiring them to have a visible light that indicates when they are recording audio or video. It mandates that retailers provide customers with clear written notices about how these devices must be operated and prohibits the sale or use of devices that lack this visual indicator or have it disabled. Under the new rules, individuals must obtain explicit consent from anyone they record in private areas, and they cannot record others without their knowledge if the device's visual indicator is missing or turned off. Manufacturers face escalating financial penalties for selling non-compliant devices, while retailers who fail to provide proper notices may incur fines after repeated violations. Law enforcement officers and correctional facility personnel are exempt from these requirements when conducting investigations or ensuring security.
This Pennsylvania House resolution urges the U.S. Congress to pass the Enhanced Cybersecurity for SNAP Act of 2026 to protect Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits from theft and fraud. The bill proposes requiring all states to upgrade to more secure chip-enabled EBT cards and mandates that federal security regulations be updated at least every five years. It directly affects the millions of low-income individuals and families in Pennsylvania and across the country who rely on SNAP for food assistance. The measure aims to address rising instances of benefit theft through methods like card skimming and cloning, which have left many residents without food.
This bill amends Pennsylvania's Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act to establish a formal process for reviewing connections between renewable energy systems and the electric grid. It requires electric distribution companies to determine at a scoping meeting whether a feasibility, impact, or facilities study is needed and mandates that these studies be completed within 90 days. Upon finishing the study, the utility must agree to perform any necessary grid upgrades, providing a timeline and cost estimates that are subject to commission approval. If the utility fails to complete these upgrades on time or within the estimated budget, the customer can use a dispute resolution process, and the commission may enforce penalties against the utility.
This bill, known as the Digital Afterlife Consent and AI Identity Protection Act, restricts digital platforms from using a user's data to create artificial intelligence simulations of them after death or during long periods of inactivity. It requires platforms to obtain explicit, separate consent from users before deploying such simulations and mandates that this consent be revocable at any time or expire two years after the user passes away. Furthermore, the law grants the user's estate the authority to override prior consent, terminate simulations, and request the deletion of AI-generated content, while also requiring clear labels on any content produced by these systems to indicate it is artificial.
SB 1349, known as the Digital Provenance Act, requires large online platforms and major AI tool providers in Pennsylvania to clearly label images, videos, and audio created or altered by generative artificial intelligence. These covered entities must embed a permanent, machine-readable label in their synthetic content that identifies the specific AI system used and the date of creation, while also offering a free public tool for users to verify the authenticity of digital media. The law imposes strict privacy rules on these providers, prohibiting them from collecting personal data through their verification tools and mandating that any uploaded content be deleted once the verification process is complete. Additionally, the Bureau of Consumer Protection in the Office of Attorney General will be tasked with enforcing these transparency requirements and can impose penalties for non-compliance.
This bill updates Pennsylvania's State Agency Green Technology Implementation Act to broaden the scope of technologies that state agencies can test, specifically adding "emerging" and "cost-reductive" options alongside existing energy-efficient ones. The legislation grants the Secretary of General Services the authority to approve pilot programs for new technologies that meet high-performance building standards and have been independently certified or previously used by another state government. By requiring proof of energy savings and independent assessments for cost-reduction projects, the bill aims to ensure that state agencies only adopt solutions that are validated for their effectiveness before wider implementation.
This bill requires school districts in Pennsylvania that use state funding for mapping services to ensure their campus maps are compatible with emergency response software. The legislation mandates that these maps include detailed floor plans, accurate room labels, and verified data from onsite inspections while being stored securely within the United States. Before purchasing such services, districts must obtain written approval from their primary law enforcement agency to confirm the data meets specific safety standards.
This bill amends Pennsylvania banking laws to create a new licensing framework that allows local financial service providers to issue and regulate stablecoins. It establishes specific duties for the Department of Banking and Securities and the Banking and Securities Commission to oversee these digital currency issuers and align state rules with federal standards. The legislation also defines key terms like digital assets and stablecoins while setting up penalties for non-compliance with the new regulations.
This bill amends Pennsylvania's Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law to specifically regulate how businesses collect and handle reproductive and sexual health data. It requires companies to obtain consumer consent, limit data collection to what is necessary for specific services, and provide clear options for users to access or delete this sensitive information. Additionally, the legislation restricts sharing this data with third parties unless there is valid consent or a legal mandate, while also establishing a process for the Attorney General to issue violation notices before taking enforcement action.
This bill would allow Pennsylvania to regulate virtual currency kiosks by requiring most businesses to obtain a license from the Department of Banking and Securities, while exempting existing banks and credit unions. To operate legally, applicants must meet specific financial standards and use a centralized online system for registration, and the kiosks must provide clear information to customers about the exchange process. The legislation also creates a dedicated fund to support public education efforts regarding virtual currency and establishes penalties for operating without a license or violating other rules.
