This bill directs Pennsylvania's Human Services department to replace current Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program cards with new chip-enabled versions by January 1, 2028. The new cards will be provided free of charge to eligible recipients and will include security features like tap-to-pay technology to prevent benefit theft. The department must issue regular reports on the transition progress to state legislators and take steps to secure funding, including applying for federal grants.
This bill prohibits Pennsylvania state agencies from using text messages to collect unpaid fines, fees, or tolls or to notify individuals about such charges. It defines a text-based communication as any written message sent on a mobile device, explicitly excluding standard email. The law applies to all Commonwealth agencies as currently defined by state statute and will become effective 60 days after passage.
HB 1585 amends Pennsylvania's criminal code to prohibit the commercial use of booking photographs taken during arrests. It directly affects businesses or websites that currently sell, license, or profit from publishing these images of individuals arrested but not yet convicted. The bill creates a legal barrier by making it unlawful to publish or disseminate such photographs for commercial purposes. This change aims to prevent the exploitation of arrest imagery for profit, focusing on the specific policy shift in the law.
HB 78 establishes rules for businesses handling consumer data, requiring them to be transparent about data collection, secure personal information, and allow consumers to access or delete their data. It directly affects companies that collect personal information (like names, addresses, or online activity) from residents of the state. Key provisions include mandating clear privacy notices, implementing security measures, and giving consumers control over their data. Violations would result in fines imposed by the state's consumer protection agency. The bill passed final passage in October 2025 and is now law.
This bill requires Pennsylvania electric distribution companies to create and implement virtual power plant programs by July 1, 2027, which allow customers with eligible energy technologies like solar panels or batteries to participate in grid services. The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission will review and approve these proposals within 180 days, requiring companies to set enrollment targets and include mechanisms for existing demand response programs. Participants can receive compensation for providing services such as peak load reduction, voltage support, and emergency grid services, with special provisions for low-income customers and disadvantaged communities to receive enhanced upfront payments. The program will establish operational rules for when and how often grid events can occur, including limits on event duration and advance notice requirements, while allowing customers to disenroll without penalties for nonperformance.
HB 95 amends Pennsylvania's Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law to require clear disclosure when AI-generated content (like text, images, or videos) is created, distributed, or published. It directly affects businesses, creators, and platforms using AI tools to produce content for consumers in Pennsylvania. The bill adds new definitions, including that "artificial intelligence" means technology creating new content via predictive algorithms, and specifies that disclosures must be "clear and conspicuous" - meaning they must be visible upfront, easy to understand, and match the content's medium (e.g., visible text, audible audio). This change updates existing consumer protection rules to address AI-generated content transparency.
HB 2252 makes it a crime to share someone's intimate image without consent, including AI-generated images that falsely depict them in nudity or sexual conduct. It directly affects individuals whose intimate images are shared non-consensually, whether the images are real or artificially created using AI or photo editing. The law establishes misdemeanor penalties (from second to first degree) based on factors like the victim's age, the sharer's intent (e.g., to harass, profit, or cause harm), and whether multiple images were shared. This bill updates Pennsylvania's sexual offenses law to specifically address the growing threat of AI-generated intimate images, ensuring they face the same legal consequences as real non-consensual image sharing.
This bill creates a grant program to help Pennsylvania school districts and career and technical schools update their educational materials. Eligible schools can apply for funding to buy digital platforms or printed curricula that include lesson plans, multimedia content, and tools for tracking student progress. The amount each school receives is calculated based on its student enrollment and the total state funding available for the program. To qualify, schools must receive a recommendation from their local occupational advisory committee and certify that the funds will be used for approved curriculum modernization.
This Pennsylvania bill directs the Office of Attorney General to run a public education campaign aimed at increasing consumer understanding of artificial intelligence. The campaign will use various media channels to teach the public how to identify AI-generated content, avoid AI-enabled scams, protect personal data, and recognize potential biases in AI systems. Special attention will be given to vulnerable populations and children, with guidance provided on safe use of chatbots and detection of forged digital likenesses. The Office of Attorney General must submit a report on the campaign's performance within one year of its start, and funding will be provided by the General Assembly as needed.
This bill creates the Health Care Facility Threat Assessment Grant Program within the Pennsylvania Department of Health to improve safety and security at hospitals and other medical facilities. The program will use state funds to hire a contractor that provides a standardized digital platform for conducting threat and risk assessments. This platform is designed to collect real-time data, manage workflows for identifying and mitigating risks, and allow healthcare administrators and public safety officials to collaborate on security evaluations. Additionally, the bill imposes new duties on the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency to support these efforts.
