Pennsylvania Bills

in committee · Pennsylvania · House May 4, 2026

HB 2466: An Act amending the act of April 12, 1951 (P.L.90, No.21), known as the Liquor Code, in licenses and regulations and liquor, alcohol and malt and brewed beverages, further providing for sales by liquor licensees and restrictions, providing for event permits and further providing for unlawful acts relative to malt or brewed beverages and licensees.

This bill amends Pennsylvania's Liquor Code to allow specific licensees, such as hotels and restaurants, to sell alcohol earlier on weekends and to establish a new system for event permits. Under the new rules, eligible businesses can apply for a permit to sell alcohol starting at 6 a.m. on the day of an event, with specific time restrictions depending on whether the event occurs on a weekend or weekday. To obtain these permits, licensees must apply at least 60 days in advance, pay a $500 annual fee, and adhere to limits of ten permits per year with a six-day gap between events.

in committee · Pennsylvania · House May 4, 2026

HB 2475: An Act amending the act of April 6, 1951 (P.L.69, No.20), known as The Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951, in recovery of possession, providing for pet fees.

This bill amends Pennsylvania's Landlord and Tenant Act to regulate fees charged for common household pets, which are defined as typical domestic animals kept for pleasure. It prohibits landlords from collecting ongoing or upfront fees specifically for these pets, though it allows for a monthly pet deposit of up to one percent of the rent or a maximum of $500 per unit to cover potential damages. The law explicitly excludes service animals required for disabilities from these restrictions and ensures compliance with existing animal control and public health regulations. These provisions will apply to leases signed or renewed on or after the bill's effective date, which is set for 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ Housing

in committee · Pennsylvania · House May 4, 2026

HB 2476: An Act amending the act of November 24, 1998 (P.L.882, No.111), known as the Crime Victims Act, in preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions.

This bill amends Pennsylvania's Crime Victims Act to update the definition of "out-of-pocket loss" for reimbursement purposes. It directly affects crime victims by expanding the list of eligible expenses to include costs for medical and nonmedical care, prosthetics, cleaning crime scenes, and temporary relocation for victims and their household pets. The legislation also clarifies that "common household pets" refers to domesticated animals kept for pleasure rather than commercial use. These changes ensure victims can receive financial support for a broader range of necessary costs incurred due to criminal incidents, while explicitly excluding property damage and pain and suffering from this specific reimbursement category.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate May 4, 2026

SB 256: An Act providing for standards for carbon monoxide alarms in child care facilities; and imposing penalties.

SB 256 requires child care facilities in Pennsylvania that use fossil fuel appliances (like heaters or fireplaces) to install and maintain operational, approved carbon monoxide alarms. Specifically, facilities must have alarms centrally located near these appliances and in every unit on the same floor within 18 months of the law's effective date. The bill ties compliance to licensing, stating the Department of Human Services cannot issue or renew a license for facilities failing to meet these standards unless a provisional license applies. It directly affects licensed child care facilities, including homes caring for 4-6 non-relative children, licensed schools, and facilities operating 24+ hours daily.

in committee · Pennsylvania · House May 4, 2026

HB 910: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in offenses against the family, further providing for the offense of dealing in infant children.

HB 910 amends Pennsylvania's criminal code to elevate "dealing in infant children" from a misdemeanor to a first-degree felony. It makes it a crime to trade, buy, sell, or deal with infants under one year old, directly targeting individuals involved in illegal infant trafficking. The bill explicitly excludes legal surrogacy and adoption from this offense. This law takes effect 60 days after enactment, focusing on criminalizing the commercial exchange of very young children.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Donna Scheuren (R) · 30 co-sponsors

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate May 4, 2026

SB 698: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in grounds and buildings, further providing for acquisition of buildings, sites for school buildings and playgrounds, and disposing thereof; and, in charter schools, further providing for provisions applicable to charter schools and for applicability of other provisions of this act and of other acts and regulations.

SB 698 amends the Public School Code of 1949, affecting how school districts acquire and dispose of school buildings and land. It clarifies that school boards can purchase, lease, or otherwise obtain property, and sell or abandon it, without Department of Education approval if no state reimbursement is sought. For real property purchases exceeding $10,000, school boards must determine the fair market value in consultation with two qualified professionals, such as a county assessor or licensed appraiser. All related fair market value documents will be publicly accessible under the Right-to-Know Law and open meetings requirements.