This bill allocates state gaming funds to four Pennsylvania agencies for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, including money to cover unpaid bills from the previous year. It distributes specific amounts from restricted gaming revenue accounts to the Attorney General, Department of Revenue, Pennsylvania State Police, and Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board to cover salaries, wages, and operational expenses related to gaming oversight and enforcement. The legislation also prohibits transferring funds between these specific appropriations and takes effect on July 1, 2026.
This bill introduces two main changes to Pennsylvania law: it exempts gun safes and gun locks from sales and use tax, and it creates a new criminal offense for failing to securely store firearms. Under the new provisions, firearm owners must keep their weapons locked in a designated safe or with a locking device when not in use, with stricter penalties if a minor or unauthorized person is likely to be present. The legislation also establishes civil liability for owners whose unsecured firearms cause injury or property damage and requires retailers to post notices about secure storage laws. Additionally, the bill clarifies that gun cabinets do not qualify as gun safes and defines specific terms like "securely store" and "unauthorized user" to guide enforcement.
This resolution designates February 28, 2026, as "HIV is Not a Crime Awareness Day" in Pennsylvania. It aims to raise public awareness about HIV criminalization - where individuals with HIV face criminal charges for non-transmission behaviors - and highlights how such laws disproportionately impact marginalized groups like people of color, women, and LGBTQ+ individuals. The resolution emphasizes current public health consensus that people with HIV who have an undetectable viral load cannot transmit the virus through sex, and that HIV treatment is prevention. It is a symbolic statement, not a law, intended to encourage education and dialogue about ending outdated HIV-related criminal penalties.
HB 558 caps residential rental application fees at $20 per applicant and restricts landlords from charging more for background checks that must include criminal history and credit score checks. It directly affects residential landlords and tenants in Pennsylvania by limiting fee amounts and specifying how fees may be used. The bill exempts commercial or nonresidential properties from these fee limits. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.
This resolution directs Pennsylvania's Joint State Government Commission to study current diversion programs and recommend improvements or new programs. It requires the commission to examine barriers to existing programs, analyze successful models from other states, and provide a report to the House within one year. Diversion programs - which offer alternatives to incarceration for low-level offenses, mental health crises, or substance use issues - would be the focus of this review. The resolution does not create new law but aims to inform future policy changes.
HB 99 amends Pennsylvania criminal law to change sentencing for murder (including murder of an unborn child or law enforcement officer), clarify arson and property destruction offenses, and update appellate procedures. It establishes direct appeals from common pleas courts for certain cases, adds requirements for postconviction DNA testing, and removes outdated procedures for execution warrants. The bill directly affects courts, prosecutors, defense attorneys, and individuals convicted of crimes covered under the amended statutes. These changes aim to standardize sentencing and legal processes without altering current penalties or introducing new criminal charges.
HB 728 establishes Pennsylvania's Identification Upon Reentry Program, requiring prisons to provide newly released inmates with essential identification documents (like state ID cards) before their release. This directly affects individuals transitioning from incarceration back into the community, who often face barriers to accessing services without valid ID. The key provision mandates that correctional facilities coordinate with state agencies to issue these documents during the reentry process, replacing the current inconsistent practice. This policy change aims to streamline access to housing, employment, and government services for returning citizens.
This bill allows individuals in Pennsylvania to request the expungement of their criminal history records once they turn 65 years old, provided they have not been arrested or prosecuted for ten years after being released from confinement or supervision. The change lowers the previous age requirement of 70, making it easier for older adults to clear their records under specific conditions. If passed, the law would take effect 60 days after signing, directly affecting the eligibility criteria for expungement in the state.
HB 1247 prohibits law enforcement officers from using deception - such as false promises of leniency or misleading information - during custodial interrogations of individuals with intellectual disabilities or autism. Any confession obtained through such deception would be presumed inadmissible in criminal or juvenile court cases for offenses that would be misdemeanors or felonies if committed by an adult. The state (Commonwealth) must prove the confession was voluntary by a preponderance of evidence to overcome this presumption, shifting the burden of proof from the defense to the prosecution. This applies to all custodial interrogations conducted at police stations or other detention facilities.
HB 1492 amends Pennsylvania's 1951 Landlord and Tenant Act to regulate how landlords use criminal records when screening potential tenants. It would limit the types of criminal records landlords can consider and require the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission to establish guidelines for fair screening practices. The bill also imposes penalties for landlords who violate the new rules and mandates the Commission to monitor compliance with the updated screening standards. This directly affects landlords conducting tenant screenings and tenants whose criminal records might impact their housing applications.
