HB 676 establishes the First Responder Resilience Grant Program to help first responder organizations (like police, fire, and emergency medical services) cover costs for embedding mental health resilience coaches. The program provides competitive grants to defray salaries and overtime for these coaches, who deliver evidence-based support such as stress reduction, peer mentoring, and suicide prevention services. The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency will administer the program and manage the dedicated First Responder Resilience Grant Fund. This bill directly affects first responder organizations by enabling them to access funding for mental wellness support tailored to the unique stressors of their work.
Pennsylvania's SB 593 adds five extra points to civil service exam scores for applicants with disabilities who voluntarily disclose their disability and provide required documentation. This applies to state and local government job openings requiring civil service exams, affecting applicants who meet the definition under Pennsylvania's Human Relations Act. The bill requires the civil service commission to publicly advertise this policy on its website and in exam materials. It does not mandate disclosure but ensures eligible applicants with disclosed disabilities receive the score adjustment to determine their ranking on hiring lists.
SB 84 requires Pennsylvania school entities (including districts, charter schools, and career centers) to conduct detailed facility condition assessments every seven years, starting in 2026. These assessments must cover building structural components, mechanical systems, safety features (like secure vestibules and escape routes), environmental hazards (asbestos, lead), and projected maintenance costs for seven years and facility improvements for five years. Schools that complete the assessments receive a 2% funding boost for grants, while those that fail to comply lose eligibility for certain state funding under the Fiscal Code and school construction programs. The bill defines key terms like "maintenance costs" and "total project costs" to standardize reporting requirements for facility management.
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.
HB 245 amends Pennsylvania's Human Relations Act to streamline complaint procedures and eliminate local human relations commissions. It shortens response deadlines for employers (from 30 to 20 days), adds a provision allowing defendants to seek reimbursement for attorney fees if claims are dismissed, and explicitly prohibits local commissions from operating. The bill directly affects employers, employees filing discrimination complaints, and the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC), which now handles all enforcement. Key changes include replacing local commission authority with centralized PHRC oversight and clarifying that only "disparate treatment" claims - proven by a pattern of discriminatory decisions - can be filed under the law.
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.
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.
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.
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Public Safety
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.
HB 1184 imposes a temporary pause on new or expanded health insurance coverage requirements (mandated benefits) in Pennsylvania. It directly affects insurers and employers who would otherwise be required to cover new treatments, equipment, or provider-specific services under health insurance policies. The bill requires the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to study existing state-mandated health benefits by December 2026, analyzing their costs, fiscal impact, and effectiveness. The study must also determine if current mandates trigger federal payment obligations. The moratorium takes effect immediately and remains in place until the committee submits its report.
