This bill creates the Pennsylvania Robotics Team Support Grant Program to provide financial assistance to K-12 school districts and intermediate units for their robotics teams. The program establishes a dedicated fund that will be initially seeded with $2.5 million from the state, along with future contributions and interest earnings. To qualify for grants, eligible applicants must demonstrate partnerships with local businesses or educational institutions, secure a 25% local match for the funding, and participate in both virtual and in-person robotics competitions. Awarded funds can be used for coaching stipends capped at $1,500 per school building, competition travel and materials, and bonuses for teams advancing to higher competition levels, with a maximum grant limit of $10,000 per team per year. The Department of Education will manage the application process and publish annual reports on grant usage and recipient information.
SB 1384 amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code to update definitions for tax benefits and introduce new rules for computer data centers. The bill explicitly prohibits the Department of Revenue from certifying any new computer data centers after its effective date. It also establishes a new certification program for the Governor's Responsible Infrastructure Development, which sets standards for clean firm energy, including specific requirements for solar, wind, and battery storage systems. Additionally, the legislation defines terms related to alternative compliance payments and clean hydrogen production to support these infrastructure standards.
This bill amends Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law to ban government agencies from signing nondisclosure agreements related to data centers. The law prohibits any contract that restricts the public from accessing information about the construction, development, or location of these facilities. If an agency signs such an agreement, the contract is considered void and unenforceable. The bill defines a data center as a facility used to process, store, or transmit data using computers and software.
HB 1972 amends Pennsylvania's Public Adjuster Licensing Law (1983) to update requirements for public adjusters who represent insurance policyholders in claim disputes. It adds new provisions requiring adjusters to provide written financial interest disclosures to clients and make separate pre-contract disclosures about their services and fees. The bill also clarifies definitions, adjusts licensing fees, and specifies bond requirements for adjusters seeking or maintaining their license. These changes directly affect licensed public adjusters and the policyholders they serve in Pennsylvania.
This Senate Resolution urges the United States Congress to pass the American High-Speed Rail Act. The bill aims to establish a framework for high-speed rail development in the U.S. by defining project parameters and encouraging public-private investment. Pennsylvania is highlighted as a key location that could benefit from these federal efforts due to its existing rail infrastructure and strategic position. Copies of the resolution are sent to federal lawmakers to advocate for the legislation.
This Senate resolution designates June 23, 2026, as Dravet Syndrome Awareness Day in Pennsylvania to honor the condition and promote public understanding. The bill directly affects residents of the Commonwealth by encouraging them to learn about this rare and severe form of epilepsy that impacts approximately 1 in 15,700 people worldwide. It does not alter laws or funding but serves as a symbolic gesture to highlight the challenges faced by individuals with the disorder, their families, and caregivers. The resolution calls for increased awareness and support for those working to improve diagnosis, treatment, and research for this lifelong condition.
This bill establishes school-based health centers in Pennsylvania public, private, and parochial schools to provide accessible medical care to students. These centers must remain open during school hours and cannot deny care based on a student's ability to pay, insurance status, or existing primary care provider. While the specific services offered are determined by the school district or private governing body, the centers are required to coordinate with outside providers and maintain strict confidentiality for medical records. Additionally, the legislation creates a statewide advisory council to oversee these centers and mandates that the state education department develop regulations in consultation with stakeholders.
This bill creates two new criminal offenses in Pennsylvania to protect vulnerable individuals who rely on others for care. It establishes charges for the neglect and abuse of care-dependent persons, as well as a specific crime for institutional sexual assault committed by caretakers in facilities. Under the proposed changes, these acts would be classified as felonies of the second or third degree, depending on the severity of the harm or the nature of the conduct. The legislation aims to strengthen legal protections for people receiving services in care settings by defining these behaviors as serious crimes with defined penalties.
SB 1409 amends Pennsylvania's Insurance Company Law to establish specific rules for how health insurers handle mental health treatments. The bill creates new definitions for "behavioral health crisis" and "serious mental illness," which includes conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression. Under these new rules, insurers can only require patients to try one alternative drug before approving a prescribed medication for serious mental illnesses, and they cannot require prior authorization or step therapy for drugs used during a behavioral health crisis if those drugs are FDA-approved and evidence-based. These changes will apply to new insurance policies starting January 1, 2027.
This bill amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to require the Department of Education and the Pennsylvania Game Commission to create a model program for hunting and trapping education for students in grades six through twelve. The program must include age-appropriate firearm safety instruction covering topics like safe handling, maintenance, and wildlife conservation, taught only by certified instructors without bringing actual firearms onto school property. Schools can offer this as an optional extracurricular class or integrate it into existing courses, and parents may request to excuse their children from the instruction without penalty. Additionally, the bill allows schools to receive reimbursement for program costs and counts related training hours toward staff professional development.
This Senate Resolution designates August 2026 as "Emergency Management Awareness Month" throughout Pennsylvania. The measure aims to recognize and encourage appreciation for the work of local and state emergency managers who prepare for and respond to disasters. It does not create new laws or funding but serves as a formal acknowledgment of the efforts made by these professionals to protect public safety.
This bill directs the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services to replace existing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program cards with new chip-enabled versions by January 1, 2028. The new cards will be provided free of charge to eligible recipients and will include security features like tap-to-pay technology to help prevent benefit theft. The department is required to issue regular reports to state legislators on the progress of this transition and must conduct outreach to both vendors and recipients to explain the changes. Additionally, the law establishes procedures for distributing cards during emergencies and requires the department to seek additional federal funding by October 2026.
