An Act amending Title 45 (Legal Notices) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in general provisions, further providing for definitions; in legal advertising, further providing for level of advertising rates, for effect of failure to advertise when required and for no unauthorized advertisements to be published and providing for publication in newspapers of general circulation; and making editorial changes.

The definition of 'free newspaper' was substantially rewritten to require registration with the Department of State, employment of a local news staff, a verifiable local audience, and a primary focus on original news rather than commercial advertising.

New definitions were added for 'digital newspaper' and 'online-only newspaper' to establish them as distinct categories eligible for publishing legal notices.

New requirements were added for digital and online-only newspapers, mandating that they post all legal notices on both their own websites and a statewide public notice website at no additional cost.

A new section was added stating that legal proceedings are not binding on interested parties if the required public notice or legal advertising is not published in the specified newspapers.

The criteria for what constitutes a 'newspaper of general circulation' were updated to include digital and online-only options that meet specific content and accessibility standards.