HB 1381 amends Pennsylvania's juvenile justice definitions by raising the minimum age for a "delinquent child" from 10 to 13 years old. This change directly affects children aged 10-12 who previously could be classified as delinquent under the law; they will no longer be considered "delinquent children" under this definition. The bill modifies Section 6302 of Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) to specify that a "delinquent child" must be 13 or older, with the court finding they committed a delinquent act requiring treatment or rehabilitation. The amendment applies to juvenile proceedings beginning on or after its effective date, 60 days after enactment.
HB 1905 amends Pennsylvania law to expand the offense of assault to explicitly include "ethnic intimidation" under Title 18, making bias-motivated harassment a specific criminal charge. It also strengthens protections under Title 42 by prohibiting civil rights violations related to discriminatory conduct. The bill directly affects victims of bias-based crimes and law enforcement handling such cases, requiring specific legal procedures for these offenses. Key provisions clarify that assault charges can now be filed when harassment targets a person's ethnicity, religion, or other protected characteristics. The bill remains pending before the Judiciary committee after its referral on September 30, 2025.
HB 1902 updates Pennsylvania law to specifically address hate-based harassment by adding "ethnic intimidation" as a distinct criminal offense under assault laws. It expands civil rights protections for victims of hate crimes by clarifying violations related to bias against race, ethnicity, or national origin. The bill requires municipal employees to complete annual training on recognizing and responding to hate-based intimidation. These changes directly affect law enforcement, municipal staff, and individuals experiencing bias-motivated violence or discrimination in Pennsylvania.
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 Pennsylvania bill updates state laws to make it illegal to operate a watercraft if a person has completed a diversion program for a similar boating offense within the last 10 years. It also clarifies that evidence of alcohol or drug levels found more than two hours after driving a boat can still be used to prove impairment. Finally, the legislation adjusts how penalties are graded based on the number of prior offenses and whether an accident occurred.
This resolution designates July 15, 2026, as "Court Appointed Special Advocates Day" in Pennsylvania to honor the work of the state's Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program. The bill directly affects CASA volunteers and staff who provide free advocacy for abused and neglected children within the court system. By officially recognizing the date of the program's incorporation, the measure aims to highlight the contributions of these trained volunteers who help ensure the safety and well-being of vulnerable youth. The resolution serves as a commemorative gesture rather than establishing new laws or funding requirements.
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 434, the "Ebony Alert System Act," requires the Pennsylvania State Police to establish a system providing public alerts for missing young people of color (ages 12-25) under specific circumstances, including abduction, suspicious disappearance, or if they have disabilities. Law enforcement must consider eight factors - such as the individual's age, race, disability, or safety risks - before activating an alert. The system is funded by a $25 assessment on individuals convicted of kidnapping (18 Pa.C.S. Ch. 29), and falsely impersonating the alert system carries a $5,000 civil penalty. It directly affects law enforcement agencies, public safety systems, and vulnerable missing persons cases.
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.
