Technology

in committee · Pennsylvania · House May 14, 2025

HB 940: An Act amending Title 23 (Domestic Relations) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in child protective services, further providing for definitions.

HB 940 amends Pennsylvania's definition of "sexual abuse or exploitation" in child protective services law (Title 23, Section 6303). It expands the definition to explicitly include behaviors like viewing a child's intimate parts, participating in sexual conversations via digital means, and simulated sexual activity for sexual gratification. The bill also clarifies that consensual activity between two 14-year-olds within four years of age is excluded from this definition. This change directly affects how child protective services agencies and courts categorize and respond to alleged child sexual abuse cases. The amendment takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly includes 'via digital means' in abuse definition, strengthening legal protections against technology-facilitated child exploitation and aligning with digital rights safety measures.95% confidence

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 18, 2025

HB 955: An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in size, weight and load, further providing for authority to issue permits.

HB 955 (Pennsylvania House Bill 955) allows commercial vehicle operators to obtain special permits electronically instead of on paper. The bill requires these digital permits to be displayed on a mobile device during inspections and sets clear rules for officers checking them, including protection from liability if they accidentally access unrelated phone data while verifying the permit. If a device can't be accessed, operators must provide a physical copy within five business days. This change directly affects trucking companies and transporters hauling oversized loads who need permits under Pennsylvania's vehicle code.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates data privacy protections during digital permit inspections, preventing accidental access to unrelated phone data while verifying permits.85% confidence

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 18, 2025

HB 957: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in other offenses, further providing for the offense of invasion of privacy.

HB 957 amends Pennsylvania's invasion of privacy law to increase penalties for repeated violations and require convicted individuals to destroy related recordings. It upgrades the offense to a third-degree felony if there are multiple violations (previously a second-degree felony), while single violations remain a first-degree misdemeanor. The bill also adds a new requirement that anyone convicted under this law must delete or destroy all associated recordings (photos, videos, etc.) they possess; failing to do so becomes a separate third-degree felony. This directly affects individuals convicted of privacy violations involving recorded media, such as secretly filming or sharing intimate images without consent. The changes take effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill upgrades repeat privacy violations to third-degree felony (stricter sentencing), increasing penalties without reform elements like rehabilitation or accountability.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyStrengthens data privacy protections by increasing penalties for repeated violations and requiring destruction of recordings, directly advancing privacy safeguards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Data Privacy

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 4, 2025

HB 480: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in charter schools, providing for full-time cyber education program offered by school district.

HB 480 allows Pennsylvania school districts to offer full-time cyber education programs directly to students. If a student enrolls in their district's cyber program, they pay no extra fees beyond standard district charges. However, if they choose a cyber charter school instead, parents must pay monthly tuition (based on state funding formulas), and the student won't count toward their district's enrollment for funding purposes. This bill directly affects students and families in districts that provide these cyber programs, clarifying cost responsibilities and funding impacts.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEnables school districts to offer full-time cyber education without extra fees, expanding access to public school options and reducing financial barriers for families.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyEnables school districts to offer full-time cyber education programs, expanding access to technology-based learning without extra fees for district programs, supporting educational technology adoption.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education School Choice

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 21, 2025

HB 694: An Act amending the act of April 23, 1956 (1955 P.L.1510, No.500), known as the Disease Prevention and Control Law of 1955, further providing for confidentiality of reports and records.

HB 694 amends Pennsylvania's 1955 Disease Prevention and Control Law to clarify when local county governments without their own health departments may access de-identified communicable disease data. Specifically, it allows county governing bodies to receive limited, anonymized disease reports (including municipality-level data for cases within the past 24 hours) if they pass a resolution authorizing this, provided they follow all applicable confidentiality laws. This provision directly affects counties without local health departments, enabling them to monitor outbreaks while protecting patient privacy. The law explicitly excludes counties with existing health departments from this process, ensuring existing reporting structures remain unchanged.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill requires de-identified data and confidentiality for disease reports, directly supporting data privacy protections in health data management.90% confidence

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 12, 2025

HB 594: An Act amending the act of October 27, 1955 (P.L.744, No.222), known as the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, further providing for definitions; providing for use of automated employment decision tool; and further providing for civil penalties.

HB 594 amends Pennsylvania's Human Relations Act to regulate the use of AI-driven hiring tools. It requires employers using automated employment decision tools (like AI resume screeners) to notify job applicants 10 days before interviews, explain how the tool works, and obtain explicit consent. Employers must also conduct annual bias audits to check for unfair discrimination against protected groups and publicly post audit summaries online. Violations could result in civil penalties of up to $1,500 for repeat offenses. This directly affects all Pennsylvania employers and employment agencies using such technology in hiring, promotion, or compensation decisions.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires bias audits & transparency for AI hiring tools to prevent discrimination, strengthening worker protections under employment standards.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRegulates AI hiring tools with transparency, consent, and bias audits to protect applicants from discrimination, advancing data privacy and digital rights in tech use.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 22, 2026

SB 792: An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, in research and development tax credit, further providing for definitions, for credit for research and development expenses and for limitation on credits.

SB 792 sets annual limits on Pennsylvania's research and development (R&D) tax credit program. It caps total annual credits at $120 million, with $24 million specifically reserved for small businesses. Unused portions of either the small business allocation or the general allocation can roll over to the other group if not fully claimed in a given year. This bill directly affects businesses claiming R&D tax credits in Pennsylvania, particularly small businesses that receive priority funding. The change modifies the existing tax credit structure under the 1971 Tax Reform Code.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill caps R&D tax credit at $120M total, restricting credit availability and limiting program funding per tax policy framework.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill provides R&D tax credits with $24M reserved for small tech businesses, directly funding technology innovation through tax incentives.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Tax Credits Tags Small Business

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 12, 2025

HB 596: An Act providing for a requirement for commercial establishments to disclose the use and collection of biometric identifier information and providing for a private cause of action.

HB 596, the Biometric Identifier Signage Act, requires commercial establishments like retail stores, restaurants, and hotels to display clear, plain-language signs at customer entrances if they collect biometric data (such as fingerprints, facial scans, or voiceprints). The bill prohibits businesses from selling, leasing, or profiting from this data and allows customers to sue for violations, with damages ranging from $500 for minor issues to $5,000 for intentional violations, plus attorney fees. It exempts financial institutions and certain video recordings not used for identification. The law takes effect 180 days after passage.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires disclosure of biometric data collection, prohibits sale/profit, and enables private lawsuits for privacy violations, directly protecting consumer data privacy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 3, 2025

HB 1112: An Act amending Title 66 (Public Utilities) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in restructuring of electric utility industry, further providing for definitions and for duties of electric distribution companies and providing for duties of public utilities.

HB 1112 allows Pennsylvania electric utility customers to request traditional electromechanical analog meters instead of smart meters. Customers can elect this option by notifying their utility company, and if the utility has already installed smart meters, they may charge the customer for the switch - amortized over 12 months - but cannot impose additional fees. The bill directly affects residential and commercial electricity customers who prefer analog meters for privacy or cost reasons. It defines "electromechanical analog meters" as devices with no wireless capabilities, no power line transmission/reception, and specific safety features, while ensuring costs are recovered through approved utility rates.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyAllows opt-out from smart meters for privacy reasons, enabling data privacy protection as stated in bill summary85% confidence

Sub-Topics Telecommunications

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 31, 2025

HB 431: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in forgery and fraudulent practices, providing for the offense of unauthorized dissemination of artificially generated impersonation of individual.

HB 431 creates a new criminal offense in Pennsylvania for sharing AI-generated images or voice recordings that impersonate real people without their consent. It specifically targets artificially generated content (like deepfakes) that mimics an individual's appearance or voice, defining it as a crime distinct from other impersonation methods. The offense is a misdemeanor of the first degree, or a felony if committed to defraud or harm someone. This law directly affects anyone who shares such AI-generated impersonations within Pennsylvania, protecting individuals from non-consensual misuse of their likeness. The bill provides clear definitions for "artificial intelligence" and "artificially generated impersonation" to ensure the law applies only to AI-created content, not human mimicry.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new criminal offense for AI impersonation, expanding criminalization without reform elements like reduced sentences or enhanced rights protection.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyPrevents unauthorized AI deepfakes impersonating individuals, strengthening data privacy protections against generative AI misuse.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence

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