Labor & Employment

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 20, 2025

HB 635: An Act amending the act of December 21, 1989 (P.L.672, No.87), known as the Health Club Act, providing for lifeguards.

This bill requires Pennsylvania health clubs with swimming pools of 1,500 square feet or larger to have at least one certified lifeguard on duty during all hours the pool is open for swimming by members and guests. A "certified lifeguard" must hold a current certification from a lifeguard training program approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Health. This rule directly affects health clubs operating such pools, mandating a minimum safety standard during pool hours. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates certified lifeguards for pool safety, directly improving workplace safety standards for health club employees and patrons as required by Pennsylvania law.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Professional Licensing Workplace Safety

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 4, 2025

HB 487: An Act amending Title 62 (Procurement) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in source selection and contract formation, further providing for supplies manufactured and services performed by persons with disabilities.

HB 487 amends Pennsylvania's procurement law to prioritize contracts for supplies manufactured and services performed by organizations employing people with disabilities, directly affecting Commonwealth agencies and disability service providers. The bill requires these contracts to be entered without competitive bidding if people with disabilities make a meaningful contribution to the work, mandates annual reviews for contracts over $300,000 to verify compliance, and phases out the use of federal subminimum wage certificates (14(c)) over two years. It also requires integrated work environments where employees with disabilities interact with non-disabled coworkers in state-contracted workplaces, with annual site visits to monitor compliance. The law aims to strengthen economic opportunities for people with disabilities through state procurement while ensuring fair pricing and accountability.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill prioritizes state contracts for organizations employing people with disabilities, directly creating job opportunities and advancing inclusive employment standards in labor & employment.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Minimum Wage

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jul 9, 2025

HB 1709: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in miscellaneous provisions relating to institutions of higher education, providing for employment certification for adjunct and part-time faculty.

HB 1709 amends the Public School Code of 1949 to require institutions of higher education to provide employment certification for adjunct and part-time faculty. This bill directly affects part-time and adjunct professors at colleges and universities, who often lack formal job security documentation. The key provision mandates that schools issue written certification confirming employment terms, such as hours and contract duration, for these faculty members. The bill aims to create clearer employment records for part-time educators under the state's higher education framework. It was referred to the Education committee on July 9, 2025.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates employment certification for adjunct faculty, enhancing job security and protections for educators in higher education institutions.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates written employment certification for adjunct faculty, clarifying hours and contract terms to enhance job security and transparency for workers under employment standards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Professional Licensing

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 17, 2026

HB 911: An Act amending Title 53 (Municipalities Generally) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in employees, providing for law enforcement officer benefits for surviving family members.

HB 911 provides health benefits for surviving family members of Pennsylvania law enforcement officers who die or become disabled in the line of duty. It guarantees surviving spouses lifetime full health coverage and dependent children full coverage until age 26 (if not covered by another employer plan). Municipalities must assist with claims processing, and benefits end at age 65. The bill applies to all full-time law enforcement officers and their families, including those widowed before the law's effective date. It codifies existing benefit standards under Pennsylvania law without creating new programs.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly expands health coverage for law enforcement families by guaranteeing lifetime spouse benefits and dependent coverage until 26, directly advancing healthcare access for a specific population.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides expanded health benefits for law enforcement officers' families, strengthening worker benefit protections under employment standards.95% confidence

Tags Public Safety

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 20, 2025

HB 610: An Act amending the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.177, No.175), known as The Administrative Code of 1929, in public works employment verification, further providing for definitions, for duty of public works contractors and subcontractors, for verification form, for violations, for enforcement and sanctions, for Public Works Employment Verification Account, for protection from retaliation, for good faith immunity and for public works contractor and subcontractor liability; and making an editorial change.

HB 610 amends Pennsylvania's 1929 Administrative Code to require public works contractors and subcontractors to verify new employees' work eligibility using the federal E-Verify program (EVP). It mandates that contractors provide a verification form to public bodies before awarding or executing contracts, confirming their enrollment in EVP and compliance with the law. Contractors without employees may submit an affidavit instead of EVP enrollment but must enroll and provide verification upon hiring. The bill also prohibits discrimination during verification and includes protections for contractors acting in good faith. These changes directly affect all entities working on public construction projects funded by the Commonwealth or its political subdivisions.

Topics ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationMandates E-Verify for public works contractors, requiring federal immigration enforcement compliance to verify work eligibility, increasing state-level immigration enforcement90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentIncludes 'protection from retaliation' for workers, aligning with labor rights support despite focus on E-Verify compliance.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Work Authorization

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 3, 2025

HB 778: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in professional employees, providing for Pre-K Teacher Salary Supplement Pilot Program.

HB 778 establishes a three-year pilot program to increase pre-kindergarten (Pre-K) teacher salaries in Pennsylvania to match those of elementary school teachers with similar qualifications. It directly affects Pre-K teachers working in programs located in high-poverty areas (school districts with ≥20% poverty or census tracts at ≤80% of the statewide median poverty level). The program requires the Department of Education to calculate salary gaps using a specific formula, provide subsidies to eligible Pre-K programs to close those gaps, and collect data for a legislative report. The bill mandates strict use of funds solely for teacher salary increases and includes requirements for reporting program outcomes to the legislature.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state funds for Pre-K teacher salary supplements in high-poverty districts, directly increasing public education funding through mandated subsidies.92% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases Pre-K teacher salaries in high-poverty areas via subsidy program, directly supporting educators and improving educational access in underserved communities.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentDirectly increases Pre-K teacher compensation in high-poverty areas by requiring salary matching with elementary teachers, advancing wage standards for educators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood K-12 Education Teachers

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 20, 2025

HB 667: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in professional employees, providing for restrictions on administrative meetings during instructional time or planning periods.

HB 667 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to protect classroom teachers' instructional and planning time. It prohibits requiring teachers to attend administrative meetings during teaching hours unless covered by another qualified teacher or substitute. If meetings occur during a teacher's designated planning period (time for lesson prep, parent communication, or grading), schools must offer compensatory time or replace the diverted time. The bill applies to all public school districts, joint districts, intermediate units, and career schools, taking effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProtects teachers' instructional/planning time from administrative disruptions, supporting educator effectiveness and school operations per bill's explicit language.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProtects teachers' instructional time and planning periods from administrative disruptions, aligning with workplace safety and employment standards by preventing forced meeting attendance during work hours.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers Labor Standards

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Mar 6, 2025

SB 388: A Joint Resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, further providing for prohibition against denial or abridgment of equality of rights because of sex.

SB 388 proposes amending Pennsylvania's Constitution to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on sex, race, ethnicity, color, religious creed, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, familial status, or disability. This would expand existing constitutional protections under Article I, Section 28 to cover these additional categories, ensuring equality of rights under the law for all Pennsylvanians. The bill requires the General Assembly to pass it twice before submitting the amendment to voters at the next qualifying election. As of March 6, 2025, the bill has only been referred to the State Government committee and remains in early legislative stages.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands constitutional anti-discrimination protections to cover workplace equality, directly advancing labor rights by prohibiting sex, gender identity, and other employment discrimination.95% confidence

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 27, 2025

HB 367: An Act providing for employee's right to request a flexible working arrangement; imposing duties on the Department of Labor and Industry; and imposing penalties.

HB 367, the Flexible Working Arrangements Act, gives employees in Pennsylvania with employers of 50+ staff the right to request flexible work options like adjusted hours, remote work, or job sharing once yearly. Employers must consider these requests in good faith, respond in writing if requested, and cannot retaliate - though they may deny requests only if they would harm business operations (e.g., cause excessive costs or disrupt service). The Department of Labor and Industry will enforce the law, issuing warnings for first violations and imposing up to $500 per violation for repeat offenses. The bill does not override existing employment rights or collective bargaining agreements.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentGrants employees right to request flexible work, prohibits retaliation, requires employer consideration - directly protects worker rights under employment standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Labor Standards Paid Leave

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 22, 2025

HB 262: An Act amending the act of July 23, 1970 (P.L.563, No.195), known as the Public Employe Relations Act, in employee rights, providing for rights and privileges, for civil actions, for limitation of rights and remedies and for notice.

HB 262 amends Pennsylvania's Public Employe Relations Act to strengthen rights for public-sector union members. It guarantees equal voting rights in unions, prohibits sudden fee increases without member approval (requiring secret ballot votes), and ensures members can pursue legal action or communicate with legislators without union restrictions. The bill also mandates that unions provide all members with copies of collective bargaining agreements upon request. These changes apply to most public employees (excluding police/firefighters under separate law) and take effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentStrengthens public-sector union rights via equal voting, fee vote requirements, legal action access, and transparency in bargaining agreements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining

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