This bill updates Pennsylvania's Public School Code to clarify funding rules for cyber charter schools. It mandates that these schools cannot charge tuition to students who live in or outside the state, with one specific exception. Under this exception, a local school district does not have to pay the tuition for its own students if those students attend an outside cyber charter school instead of the district's own online program. To qualify for this exemption, the district's online program must meet specific standards set by the state department, such as offering in-person orientation, verifying residency, tracking attendance, providing technical support, and assigning case managers for special education needs. The changes will become effective 60 days after the bill is passed.
This bill creates a grant program to help Pennsylvania school districts and career and technical schools update their educational materials. Eligible schools can apply for funding to buy digital platforms or printed curricula that include lesson plans, multimedia content, and tools for tracking student progress. The amount each school receives is calculated based on its student enrollment and the total state funding available for the program. To qualify, schools must receive a recommendation from their local occupational advisory committee and certify that the funds will be used for approved curriculum modernization.
This bill amends Pennsylvania's Prothonotary Fee Law to allow prothonotaries in specific county classes to charge a new automation fee of up to $10 for initiating legal actions. The collected fees must be deposited into a special county fund dedicated solely to funding automation and ongoing technology updates for the prothonotary's office. The fee amount can be increased no more than once every three years, with any increase capped by the percentage change in the national Consumer Price Index. The legislation takes effect 60 days after passage.
This Pennsylvania bill directs the Office of Attorney General to run a public education campaign aimed at increasing consumer understanding of artificial intelligence. The campaign will use various media channels to teach the public how to identify AI-generated content, avoid AI-enabled scams, protect personal data, and recognize potential biases in AI systems. Special attention will be given to vulnerable populations and children, with guidance provided on safe use of chatbots and detection of forged digital likenesses. The Office of Attorney General must submit a report on the campaign's performance within one year of its start, and funding will be provided by the General Assembly as needed.
This Pennsylvania bill, known as the Ghost Job Postings Prevention Act, requires employers with 50 or more employees to include specific details in public job postings and prohibits keeping filled positions open indefinitely. Key provisions mandate that job ads disclose whether the role is existing or anticipated, provide salary ranges and funding status, state how long the posting will remain active, and inform applicants about AI use in hiring decisions. Employers must also remove filled job postings within two weeks, notify job boards of closures, and send status updates to applicants within set timeframes after interviews. Violations could result in fines ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 per violation, with higher penalties up to $25,000 per applicant for data mining or selling applicant information.
This bill amends Pennsylvania's Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law to explicitly define "dynamic pricing" as a potential unfair trade practice. It directly affects businesses that sell essential goods or services by clarifying that using artificial intelligence to vary prices within a 24-hour period based on demand may be considered deceptive. The law defines dynamic pricing as changing prices based on demand or AI-driven adjustments, while excluding bona fide pricing practices that offer genuine discounts without misleading consumers. Essential goods are defined as items exempt from sales tax, and the bill includes specific definitions for artificial intelligence, generative AI, and former price comparisons to guide enforcement. The changes take effect 60 days after the bill is enacted.
This bill requires electric distribution companies in Pennsylvania to evaluate and use advanced transmission technologies when proposing new transmission lines. The law mandates that any proposed transmission project must incorporate all technically feasible and cost-effective advanced technologies to achieve at least two benefits, such as avoiding new construction, increasing system capacity, reducing congestion, or minimizing environmental impacts. Electric distribution companies must submit evidence of their evaluation to the state commission, and any additional costs for implementing these technologies can be recovered through approved tariffs. The bill defines advanced transmission technologies to include tools like dynamic line rating systems, advanced power flow controllers, and high-performance conductors that improve grid efficiency and reliability.
This bill requires online platforms in Pennsylvania to inform users when their content may be used to train artificial intelligence systems. It applies to websites and apps that collect user-created content like posts, videos, or images for AI training purposes. The law mandates that platforms must provide a clear, separate disclosure at sign-up and require users to acknowledge receiving this notice before they can post content. The bill defines key terms like "artificial intelligence" and "platform" to ensure consistent application of the disclosure requirement.
This bill establishes a new automation fee of up to $10 for court clerks in Pennsylvania counties of the second class A and third through eighth class, including home rule counties of the same class. The fee applies to the initiation of any legal action or proceeding and must be deposited into a special fund designated solely for purchasing and maintaining automation technology in clerk of courts offices. The bill allows the fee amount to be increased no more than once every three years, with any increase capped at the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers over the preceding three years. The legislation takes effect 60 days after enactment.
This bill requires Pennsylvania electric distribution companies to create and implement virtual power plant programs by July 1, 2027, which allow customers with eligible energy technologies like solar panels or batteries to participate in grid services. The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission will review and approve these proposals within 180 days, requiring companies to set enrollment targets and include mechanisms for existing demand response programs. Participants can receive compensation for providing services such as peak load reduction, voltage support, and emergency grid services, with special provisions for low-income customers and disadvantaged communities to receive enhanced upfront payments. The program will establish operational rules for when and how often grid events can occur, including limits on event duration and advance notice requirements, while allowing customers to disenroll without penalties for nonperformance.
