Technology

signed · Pennsylvania · House Jul 20, 2026

HB 1860: An Act amending Title 12 (Commerce and Trade) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in motor vehicle sales finance, providing for remote work.

HB 1860 updates Pennsylvania's motor vehicle finance laws to allow dealers and lenders to process vehicle financing applications remotely, such as through digital platforms. It directly affects auto dealers, lenders, and consumers who apply for vehicle loans in Pennsylvania. The key provision removes previous restrictions requiring in-person application processing for motor vehicle sales finance transactions. This change streamlines the loan approval process while maintaining regulatory oversight under the state's commerce statutes.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill enables remote digital processing for vehicle financing, removing in-person barriers. Directly advances tech use in finance sector by allowing digital platforms for transactions.95% confidence

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Feb 26, 2025

SB 313: An Act amending the act of June 3, 1937 (P.L.1333, No.320), known as the Pennsylvania Election Code, in electronic voting systems, further providing for definitions and for supplies and preparation of the voting system and of polling places and providing for pre-election logic and accuracy testing; and, in penalties, providing for falsification of election-related documentation regarding pre-election logic and accuracy testing.

SB 313 amends Pennsylvania's Election Code to strengthen requirements for electronic voting systems. It mandates pre-election logic and accuracy testing of voting equipment to ensure votes are tabulated correctly, including verifying contest orders, ballot printing, and scanner functionality. The bill also requires county election boards to preprint emergency paper ballots equal to at least 20% of registered voters per election district if electronic systems fail. These provisions directly affect county election boards and polling places, with penalties for falsifying documentation related to testing.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates pre-election testing of electronic voting systems to ensure accuracy and prevent falsification, directly enhancing cybersecurity protections for election technology.95% confidence

Tags Elections

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Mar 10, 2025

SB 415: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in computer offenses, providing for the offense of ransomware; and imposing duties on the Office of Administration.

SB 415 creates new criminal penalties for ransomware attacks targeting Pennsylvania state government systems. It prohibits possessing, using, or threatening to use ransomware (defined as software blocking access or encrypting data for payment demands) with penalties ranging from misdemeanors to felonies based on the ransom amount ($10,000+ triggers felony charges). The law requires managed IT service providers to notify state agencies within one hour of detecting ransomware, and agencies to report attacks to police within two hours. These provisions aim to prevent, detect, and respond to cyberattacks on Commonwealth agencies while mandating public notification after incidents.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates new criminal penalties for ransomware attacks on government systems, strengthening legal tools to combat cybercrime and protect public infrastructure within criminal justice framework.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyCreates criminal penalties for ransomware attacks and mandates rapid notification to enhance cybersecurity protections for state systems.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Cybersecurity

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Feb 13, 2025

SB 254: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, providing for the STEM Grant Program; and making an appropriation.

SB 254 establishes a new STEM Grant Program under Pennsylvania's Public School Code, enabling eligible public school educators to teach science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) subjects at nonpublic schools (including private and charter schools) during times when they are not teaching at their public school. Participating nonpublic schools will be reimbursed for the educators' compensation, calculated as the educator's hourly wage multiplied by hours taught and then multiplied by 1.25 to account for preparation time. The program is funded by a $1,000,000 state appropriation, with the Department of Education selecting an administrator to manage applications and distribute funds. Nonpublic schools must submit annual reports on program implementation, including student participation and outcomes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates new state appropriation for STEM grant program reimbursement, directly increasing public education funding via budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates STEM Grant Program funding educators to teach in nonpublic schools, expanding STEM access and supporting educators through reimbursement for curriculum delivery.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill establishes STEM grant program explicitly including technology instruction, directly funding tech education expansion in schools.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Feb 3, 2025

SB 229: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in school safety and security, establishing the Cell Phone Lockable Bag Pilot Program.

SB 229 establishes a pilot program in Pennsylvania schools to fund secure, lockable bags for students to store cell phones during school hours. Participating schools must adopt policies banning phone use (with medical exemptions for conditions like diabetes) and track mental health, bullying, violence, and academic metrics over two years. The program provides grants for bag purchases, requires geographic funding distribution, and mandates a final report to lawmakers by 2026. It directly affects public and private schools across Pennsylvania, excluding staff phone use during work. The pilot expires December 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationFunds lockable bags for phone storage, mandates school safety policies, tracks academic/mental health metrics, and provides grants to improve K-12 learning environments per bill summary.95% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill mandates school-wide phone bans (with medical exemptions), restricting student technology access during school hours, directly limiting device use without privacy/security enhancements.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 30, 2025

HB 1356: An Act amending the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.177, No.175), known as The Administrative Code of 1929, in powers and duties in general, providing for restriction on the use of REAL ID.

HB 1356 prohibits Pennsylvania state and local government agencies from requiring REAL ID-compliant identification to access public buildings or receive government services. Instead, it allows standard driver's licenses, non-driver photo IDs, or other similar identification to be accepted as valid alternatives. The bill clarifies that agencies cannot demand identification if it is not otherwise necessary for a service or building access. This directly affects all state and local government services and the residents who use them.

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill removes REAL ID requirement for state services, easing access for immigrants who avoid REAL ID due to immigration enforcement fears.80% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRestricts mandatory REAL ID use, reducing government data collection for services, aligning with data privacy protections in technology policy.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licenses & IDs

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Jun 25, 2026

HB 1585: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in theft and related offenses, further providing for the offense of theft by extortion; and, in criminal history record information, providing for request and removal of the dissemination of booking photographs.

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits commercial exploitation of arrest photos, protecting individuals' civil rights pre-conviction, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of reducing harm and exploitation.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits commercial use of arrest photos, protecting individual data privacy by preventing exploitation of personal images for profit.90% confidence

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 12, 2025

HB 572: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in sexual offenses, providing for the offense of unsolicited dissemination of intimate image.

HB 572 creates a new criminal offense in Pennsylvania for the non-consensual sharing of intimate images. It makes it illegal to knowingly transmit, distribute, publish, or disseminate a sexually explicit image (defined as depicting genitals, pubic area, or breasts shown for sexual stimulation) to someone who didn't request it or give express consent. This offense is classified as a summary offense (similar to a minor misdemeanor), applies if either the victim or offender is in Pennsylvania, and excludes law enforcement officers acting in their official duties. The bill directly affects individuals who share intimate images without consent, providing a specific legal remedy for this type of non-consensual disclosure.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates legal protection against non-consensual intimate image sharing, advancing victim rights and civil protections in criminal justice reform.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyCreates criminal penalties for non-consensual digital sharing of intimate images, directly protecting personal data privacy in technology contexts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 11, 2025

HB 883: An Act providing for collateral requirements for virtual currency lenders and for segregation of funds; and imposing penalties.

HB 883, the Digital Asset Regulation Act, requires virtual currency lenders operating in Pennsylvania to hold collateral equal to 100% of the value of virtual currency lent (using cash or cash equivalents) and to keep client funds separate from the lender’s own money. Lenders must notify the Department of Banking and Securities 90 days before operating in Pennsylvania and obtain written agreements with clients about collateral. Failure to comply results in fines starting at $5,000 for the first violation, increasing to $20,000 for third or subsequent violations, with potential business bans after three violations. The bill directly affects virtual currency lenders and protects clients by ensuring funds are secured and segregated.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRegulates virtual currency lenders with collateral/fund segregation requirements to protect consumers, aligning with digital asset consumer protection standards.85% confidence

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Dec 22, 2025

HB 1530: An Act providing for duties of direct-to-consumer genetic testing companies and for prohibition on disclosure of genetic data of consumers; and imposing civil penalties.

HB 1530, the Genetic Information Privacy Act, requires direct-to-consumer genetic testing companies operating in Pennsylvania to protect residents' genetic data. Companies must obtain clear, separate consent for data collection, use, sharing, and retention; implement security measures; and provide consumers with access to or deletion of their data. The bill specifically prohibits sharing genetic data with insurers, employers, or third parties without explicit written consent. Violations could result in $2,500 civil penalties per incident, enforced by the Attorney General’s office. The law applies to Pennsylvania residents and covers genetic data like DNA test results, but excludes research data collected under federal health privacy rules.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits genetic data sharing with insurers, protecting patient privacy and preventing discrimination in health coverage access.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires genetic data protection, consent protocols, and prohibits unauthorized sharing - directly strengthening data privacy protections in technology sector.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Data Privacy

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