SB 727 aims to expand fixed broadband internet services to areas of Pennsylvania that currently lack or have limited access, directly affecting residents and businesses in these "unserved" and "underserved" areas. The bill requires state agencies to inventory state-owned properties and structures for their potential use in broadband infrastructure. It permits state agencies to lease or license these assets to qualified broadband providers, with the generated revenue funding a new "Broadband Services Restricted Account" to support further deployment. The Department of General Services will develop guidelines for providers and site agreements, setting a 90-day approval timeline for such agreements.
HB 1430 would require social media platforms operating in Pennsylvania to protect minors under 16 years old. The bill bans "dark patterns" (deceptive design features that impair user choice) and mandates that platforms allow minors to permanently delete their accounts and personal information so it cannot be retrieved. It also requires platforms to implement a consent process for minors to open accounts. Violations would be subject to penalties under the law.
SB 568 requires social media platforms to remove nonconsensual intimate images of Pennsylvania residents within 48 hours of receiving a valid request. It directly affects individuals whose private images were shared without consent, as defined by Pennsylvania law. Platforms must establish a clear online portal for removal requests and are shielded from liability if they act in good faith. The law applies specifically to social media services that connect users for social interaction, excluding email or cloud services. It takes effect 90 days after enactment.
SB 741 creates a new criminal offense in Pennsylvania for the unauthorized use of electronic tracking devices. It makes it illegal to install or place an electronic tracking device on another person or their property without their consent to track their location or movement. The bill includes exceptions for situations like parents tracking their minor children, legal guardians tracking incapacitated persons, and law enforcement in official duties or with court orders. Businesses are also exempt when tracking fleet vehicles or if they have obtained informed consent, and penalties range from a second-degree to a first-degree misdemeanor.
HB 485 creates a new Office of Information Technology within Pennsylvania's state government to establish and enforce digital accessibility standards. It requires all public entities (like counties, cities, and state agencies) to make their online services accessible to people with disabilities by developing implementation plans by July 2026 and fully complying by July 2028. Key provisions include adopting Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), mandating procurement standards for adaptive technologies, and requiring compatibility with accessibility tools. The law aligns with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act and applies to digital content, websites, and information systems used by the public.
HB 1513 would amend Pennsylvania's criminal code to establish criminal liability for internet publishers and distributors who knowingly make material harmful to minors available online. The bill targets content such as explicit sexual material deemed harmful to minors, creating a legal framework for prosecution without requiring proof of intent to harm minors. It directly affects online platforms, website operators, and content distributors that host or share such material. The bill is currently pending in the Communications & Technology committee for further review.
HB 1559, titled the "Employee Right to Privacy Act," requires Pennsylvania employers to provide written notice to employees (including independent contractors) about electronic monitoring, such as tracking computer use or phone calls, by posting a visible notice before implementing it. Exceptions allow monitoring without notice if an employer reasonably suspects an employee of misconduct that violates law, workplace rights, or creates a hostile environment. Violating this notice requirement incurs fines: $500 for a first offense, $2,000 for a second, and $5,000 for third or subsequent violations. The bill aims to ensure transparency in workplace monitoring while balancing employer needs for safety and legal compliance.
SB 839 requires Pennsylvania public schools to incorporate media literacy education into K-12 curricula. The bill mandates the Department of Education to develop an age-appropriate model curriculum within 12 months, covering critical thinking about media messages, bias, misinformation, marketing tactics, and perspective gaps. School districts must implement this curriculum starting the school year after the bill takes effect. The Department must also provide free online resources and teacher training on media literacy.
SR 83 is a resolution from the Pennsylvania Senate urging the U.S. Congress to adopt three specific federal bills: H.R. 1876, H.R. 1877, and S. 770. These bills are aimed at keeping Social Security field offices open, protecting Americans' Social Security data, and expanding Social Security benefits. The resolution also expresses strong opposition to federal cuts to Social Security benefits and the Social Security Administration's plans to close local offices and reduce staff, advocating for robust staffing and local facilities to serve beneficiaries.
This bill (HR 81) is a resolution urging Congress to amend two sections of U.S. copyright law (17 U.S.C. §§ 102 and 107) to protect creative workers. It specifically targets how artificial intelligence systems use copyrighted creative work (like writing, music, or art) without permission, seeking to require authorization for AI training on such material. The resolution directly affects artists, writers, musicians, and other creative professionals whose work could be displaced by AI. It proposes concrete policy changes by adjusting copyright protections to prevent AI from automatically using their creations without consent, rather than creating new rules. The bill was referred to the Communications & Technology committee but was later laid on the table, halting further progress.
