Immigration in Pennsylvania

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Aug 10, 2026

SB 1429: An Act amending Titles 25 (Elections) and 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in changes in records, further providing for death of registrant; in enforcement, providing for referral for prosecution; in provisions contingent on Federal law, further providing for removal of electors and providing for certification of list maintenance and for registration records; in licensing of drivers, further providing for notice of change of name or address; imposing duties on the Secretary of the Commonwealth to prepare a report; and imposing penalties.

Pennsylvania Senate Bill 1429 amends state election and vehicle laws to require county election boards to actively maintain voter registration rolls by removing individuals who are deceased, non-citizens, or have moved out of the jurisdiction. The bill mandates that these removals be based on authoritative sources such as death certificates, Social Security Administration records, and data from the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements program, while requiring officials to send notice to voters before canceling their registration to allow for corrections. It also establishes a new annual certification process where county boards must report on their list maintenance activities to the Secretary of the Commonwealth and imposes criminal penalties for intentional failures to perform these official duties. Additionally, the legislation requires the Department of Transportation to share driver license address change data with election officials and mandates a four-year review by the Secretary of the Commonwealth to assess the effectiveness of these new procedures.

Topics ✗ Immigration

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jul 31, 2026

HB 2723: An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in commercial drivers, further providing for definitions, for commercial driver's license qualification standards, for nonresident CDL and for disqualification, providing for English language proficiency and further providing for reciprocity.

Pennsylvania House Bill 2723 amends state vehicle laws to require commercial drivers to demonstrate English language proficiency, defined as the ability to converse with the public, understand traffic signs, and complete official records. The bill mandates that all CDL knowledge tests be administered exclusively in English, prohibiting the use of interpreters or translation devices during both knowledge and skills testing, except for specific accommodations for hearing-impaired drivers. It also restricts the issuance of nonresident commercial licenses to foreign citizens who can verify lawful immigration status through federal systems and meet the new language standards. Violations of these requirements result in fines and temporary disqualification from driving commercial vehicles, with stricter penalties applied for repeat offenses.

Topics ✗ Immigration

Sub-Topics Driver Licenses & IDs

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Aug 19, 2026

SB 1439: An Act amending Title 40 (Insurance) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in preliminary provisions relating to health insurance markets oversight, further providing for definitions; and, in State-based exchange, further providing for powers and duties of exchange authority and for reports.

Pennsylvania Senate Bill 1439 tightens oversight of the state's health insurance exchange by requiring insurers to provide documentary proof of residency and legal status for every enrollee. The bill mandates that the exchange authority respond to insurer requests to cancel policies within one business day and make a final decision within five business days. Additionally, it requires the creation of an Office of Fraud Prevention within 180 days to investigate complaints, standardize reporting forms, and ensure staff receive annual anti-fraud training. The exchange authority must also submit an annual report to state legislators detailing fraud statistics, financial impacts, and implemented procedures.

Topics ✗ Healthcare ✗ Immigration

Sub-Topics Insurance

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 8, 2026

HR 556: A Resolution recognizing the month of June 2026 as "National Immigrant Heritage Month" in Pennsylvania.

This bill is a House Resolution that formally recognizes June 2026 as "National Immigrant Heritage Month" within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It directly affects the state government and its residents by officially designating the month to honor the contributions of immigrants and their descendants to Pennsylvania's economy, culture, and society. The resolution cites various statistics regarding immigrant participation in the workforce, healthcare, and business ownership to justify the recognition. As a commemorative measure, the bill does not create new laws or change existing policies but serves to celebrate diversity and acknowledge the historical and ongoing impact of immigrants in the state.

Topics ✓ Immigration

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 16, 2026

HB 2399: An Act amending the act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), known as the Human Services Code, in public assistance, further providing for Assistance Recipient Identification Program and for administration of assistance and related functions.

This bill requires individuals applying for or receiving public assistance in Pennsylvania to participate in an identification program that includes placing their photograph on electronic benefit cards and may involve fingerprinting. County officials would be tasked with verifying this photographic identification before issuing any aid to ensure proper recipient verification. The law aims to update administrative procedures within the Human Services Code by mandating these specific identification methods for all assistance recipients.

Topics ✗ Immigration

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 13, 2026

HB 2376: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in riot, disorderly conduct and related offenses, providing for civil immigration arrests in houses of worship.

This bill prohibits law enforcement officers from detaining or arresting individuals for civil immigration violations on the property of houses of worship. The only exception allows for arrests if the officer is acting in an official capacity and holds a valid judicial warrant. Additionally, the legislation bars state and local agencies from using taxpayer funds to conduct immigration enforcement and imposes a $10,000 civil penalty for any violations of these rules.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Immigration

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

passed · Pennsylvania · Senate May 28, 2026

SB 1295: An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in commercial drivers, further providing for purpose and construction of chapter, for definitions and for commercial driver's license qualification standards, providing for English proficiency standard, further providing for nonresident CDL, for application for commercial driver's license and for disqualification and providing for annual report; and imposing penalties.

This bill updates Pennsylvania's commercial driver's license laws to align with federal standards, specifically regarding English proficiency and testing procedures. It requires that all CDL skills tests be conducted in English without the use of interpreters and mandates that applicants demonstrate English proficiency. The legislation also clarifies rules for nonresident drivers, allows for electronic transfer of skills test results from other states, and establishes penalties for submitting false information on CDL applications. Additionally, it defines specific terms related to immigration status and nondomiciled licenses to ensure consistency with federal regulations.

Topics ✗ Immigration

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 23, 2026

SB 1301: An Act amending the act of December 5, 1936 (2nd Sp.Sess., 1937 P.L.2897, No.1), known as the Unemployment Compensation Law, in preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions.

This bill amends Pennsylvania's Unemployment Compensation Law to clarify how the state defines "employment." Specifically, it adds a provision stating that temporary, seasonal labor performed by aliens admitted under specific federal immigration categories does not count as employment for unemployment compensation purposes. The change directly affects the Department of Labor and Industry by updating the rules used to determine eligibility for benefits. The legislation applies to services performed on or after its effective date, which is set to occur 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✗ Immigration ✗ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Unemployment

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 3, 2026

HB 2260: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in obstructing governmental operations, providing for civil immigration arrests made on Commonwealth property; and imposing a penalty.

This bill requires law enforcement officers to have a valid judicial warrant before making civil immigration arrests on Pennsylvania state property, which includes state buildings and grounds in Dauphin, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Scranton counties. The legislation mandates that officers must show the warrant to any state employee who asks to see it during such arrests. Violations of these requirements could result in a $10,000 civil penalty for each offense, which would be paid to the Commonwealth and enforced by the Attorney General. The bill does not prevent the investigation or enforcement of criminal immigration laws, and it clarifies that sovereign immunity protections do not apply to lawsuits brought under this new provision.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Immigration

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 3, 2026

HB 2261: An Act amending Title 44 (Law and Justice) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in law enforcement background investigations and employment information, providing for additional employment history for certain Federal immigration enforcement applicants.

This Pennsylvania bill requires law enforcement agencies to conduct additional background checks on applicants who previously worked for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The law mandates that these applicants submit detailed employment history forms, including contact information for all supervisors and written statements about any deadly force investigations or disciplinary actions. If an applicant discloses negative information, the hiring agency must request full records from the former employer, and a state commission will review the case to determine fitness for employment. The bill also establishes confidentiality protections for the information gathered and prohibits hiring applicants who fail to provide the required disclosures.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✗ Immigration

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Enforcement

All immigration bills