Labor & Employment (Unemployment)

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 24, 2026

HB 2669: An Act providing for employer disclosure when employee layoffs occur due to an employer's use of artificial intelligence or other technological change; and imposing civil penalties.

This bill requires employers in Pennsylvania to inform the state labor department if any mass layoffs are caused by the use of artificial intelligence or other technological changes. When an employer submits a standard notice about a plant closing or mass layoff, they must also specify whether automation was the reason for the job losses. The law applies to most businesses but excludes seasonal and temporary workers, and it sets daily fines ranging from $500 to $5,000 depending on company size for failing to provide this information.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill enhances transparency by requiring employers to disclose AI-driven layoffs, protecting worker rights and enabling better labor market data.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Unemployment Tags Artificial Intelligence

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 22, 2026

HB 2444: An Act amending the act of June 24, 1976 (P.L.424, No.101), referred to as the Emergency and Law Enforcement Personnel Death Benefits Act, further providing for death benefit eligibility.

This bill expands death benefit eligibility in Pennsylvania for firefighters who die from cancer linked to their work. To qualify, a firefighter must have served at least four years, had direct exposure to a carcinogen, and passed a pre-service physical exam showing no signs of cancer. The law presumes these deaths occurred while performing official duties, allowing their families to receive financial support under the existing Emergency and Law Enforcement Personnel Death Benefits Act. The changes will take effect 60 days after the bill is signed into law.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands death benefits for firefighters with work-linked cancer, providing financial support and recognizing occupational health risks.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill expands death benefits for firefighters, strengthening worker protections and financial support for families of those who die from work-related illnesses.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Unemployment

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 26, 2026

HB 2319: An Act amending the act of June 24, 1976 (P.L.424, No.101), referred to as the Emergency and Law Enforcement Personnel Death Benefits Act, further providing for title of act; and adding provisions relating to telecommunicators.

This bill expands death benefit eligibility under Pennsylvania's Emergency and Law Enforcement Personnel Death Benefits Act to include telecommunicators, who are now formally recognized as covered personnel alongside firefighters, law enforcement officers, and other first responders. The legislation adds telecommunicators to the list of individuals presumed to have died in the line of duty if they suffer a fatal heart attack or stroke while on duty or within 24 hours of responding to an emergency. It also clarifies that telecommunicators are considered to be acting in the performance of their duties when following 911 emergency communication service protocols, ensuring they receive the same death benefits as other covered emergency personnel.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill expands death benefits for telecommunicators, strengthening worker protections and benefits for first responders.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Unemployment

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 6, 2025

SB 612: An Act providing for the provision of disposable menstrual products.

Pennsylvania's SB 612, the Menstrual Equity Act, requires specific public entities to provide free disposable menstrual products (like tampons and pads) in restrooms without stigma. It directly affects schools, colleges, correctional facilities, homeless shelters, government offices offering public services (e.g., unemployment assistance), and armories. The law mandates these locations make products available at no cost starting July 1, 2025, with state secretaries overseeing implementation. Key provisions focus on accessibility and eliminating cost barriers for people who menstruate in these settings.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires correctional facilities to provide free menstrual products, improving health and dignity for incarcerated individuals, a direct reform in corrections within criminal justice.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProvides free menstrual products in public facilities to ensure access to essential health necessities, supporting public health initiatives and reducing barriers to health access.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires free menstrual products in workplaces like government offices (e.g., unemployment assistance), enhancing dignity and safety for employees, aligning with workplace standards.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Unemployment

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 21, 2025

HB 689: An Act amending the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.177, No.175), known as The Administrative Code of 1929, in administrative organization, further providing for work-hours and leaves.

HB 689 clarifies leave policies for Pennsylvania state employees when their department, board, or commission closes due to a Governor-declared disaster emergency or other unforeseen events beyond control. If closure prevents an employee from working for at least five consecutive business days, they may be placed on unpaid leave while retaining health insurance and other fringe benefits (such as retirement contributions). Employees can choose to use accrued paid leave first before transitioning to unpaid leave. This applies to most employees but excludes those who can telework or are already furloughed, and does not affect eligibility for unemployment benefits.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill ensures state employees retain health insurance during unpaid disaster leave, protecting existing coverage continuity without restricting benefits.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEnsures state employees retain health insurance and fringe benefits during forced closures due to disasters, allowing use of accrued paid leave first, protecting worker benefits.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Paid Leave Public Employees Unemployment

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 16, 2025

HB 186: 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 determination of compensation, appeals, reviews and procedure, further providing for determination of compensation appeals and for decision of referee and further appeals and reviews.

HB 186 amends Pennsylvania's 1936 Unemployment Compensation Law to adjust appeal deadlines for unemployment benefit disputes. It extends the standard appeal window from 21 to 30 days for claimants and employers challenging benefit determinations, and adds a 60-day appeal period when a decision date is revised more than one year after the original notice. These changes directly affect unemployed workers (claimants) and employers who dispute benefit awards or payment decisions. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExtends appeal deadlines (21→30 days) and adds 60-day window for revised decisions, giving workers more time to challenge benefit denials per the Unemployment Compensation Law.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Unemployment

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passed · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 25, 2025

SB 101: An Act amending the act of December 18, 2001 (P.L.949, No.114), known as the Workforce Development Act, in preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; and, in local workforce development areas and regions and local workforce development boards, further providing for plan, functions and responsibilities and providing for technical assistance and data availability and for local performance accountability.

SB 101 amends Pennsylvania's Workforce Development Act to improve data access and accountability for local workforce boards. It requires these boards to use new hire and unemployment data (from the state's new hire database) when developing local plans, while allowing written exemption requests. The bill mandates a state-developed "data dashboard" displaying workforce data (like job placements and wages) in an accessible format, with free technical assistance provided by the Department of Labor and Industry. These changes directly affect local workforce development boards, the Department of Labor, and agencies using workforce data for program evaluation and reporting. Funding for the dashboard and technical assistance comes exclusively from the state's unemployment compensation reemployment fund.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEnhances data transparency and accountability for workforce boards, enabling better tracking of job placements and wages through mandated data dashboard and technical assistance.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Unemployment Workforce Development

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jan 22, 2025

SB 29: An Act prohibiting discrimination against individuals based on unemployment status; providing for powers and duties of the Department of Labor and Industry; and imposing a penalty.

SB 29, the Fair Chance for Employment Act, prohibits employers (including government entities and businesses with 5+ employees) from considering an applicant's unemployment status when making hiring or pay decisions. The law explicitly bans using current or recent joblessness as a factor, though it allows employers to require specific licenses, education, or experience as job qualifications. Violations can result in a $500 penalty assessed by the Department of Labor and Industry after an investigation. The bill takes effect 90 days after passage and directly affects job applicants and employers across Pennsylvania.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePromotes employment access for formerly incarcerated individuals, reducing recidivism - a key criminal justice reform goal.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits unemployment status discrimination in hiring/pay, protecting workers' rights and expanding fair employment opportunities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Employment Discrimination Labor Standards Unemployment

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 12, 2025

HB 590: 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 administration of act, providing for emergency unemployment compensation assistance.

This bill amends Pennsylvania's Unemployment Compensation Law to create a process for providing emergency staffing during high-demand periods. It allows the Governor to hire additional workers or reassign existing state employees (including furloughed staff) to unemployment compensation offices when the state enters an extended benefit period or declares a disaster emergency. The Governor must consult with legislative committee chairs before making staffing decisions, and all actions must prioritize employee health and safety. The law takes immediate effect to help ensure unemployed Pennsylvanians can access benefits without delays during crises.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill ensures timely unemployment claim processing during emergencies by authorizing emergency staffing, directly supporting workers' access to benefits under unemployment compensation law.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Unemployment

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Feb 26, 2025

SB 321: An Act relating to transfers of operations, terminations of operations, mass layoffs and changes in control.

SB 321, the Mandatory Severance for Mass Layoffs Act, requires employers with 50+ employees to provide severance pay and advance notice when shutting down a facility, transferring operations, or laying off 50+ workers within 30 days. It mandates 90 days' notice (or federal requirements if longer) to employees, the state labor department, and local officials before such events. Severance pay equals one week of average pay per full year of employment, with an additional four weeks if notice is shorter than required. This applies to most full-time employees but excludes managers, temporary workers, and part-timers working under 20 hours weekly.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates severance pay (1 week avg pay/year) and 90-day notice for mass layoffs/shifts, directly protecting workers' financial security and rights during employment transitions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Unemployment

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