Technology

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Mar 21, 2025

SB 112: An Act providing for consumer data privacy, for duties of controllers and for duties of processors; and imposing penalties.

SB 112, the Consumer Data Privacy Act, establishes new rules for how businesses handle personal data in Pennsylvania. It requires businesses (like online services or retailers meeting revenue or data volume thresholds) to get clear, affirmative consent from Pennsylvania residents before collecting or selling their data, bans deceptive "dark patterns" that trick users into sharing information, and prohibits selling data for targeted advertising without consent. The law defines personal data broadly to include location and biometric information (but excludes de-identified data or publicly available information) and imposes penalties for violations. It directly affects Pennsylvania consumers by giving them more control over their data and businesses that process their information.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyImposes strict data collection rules, requires explicit consent, bans deceptive practices - directly strengthens consumer data privacy protections in technology sector95% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy Digital Government

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jul 17, 2025

SB 245: An Act establishing the Regulatory Sandbox Program, the Regulatory Relief Office and an advisory committee; and providing for their powers and duties.

SB 245 establishes Pennsylvania's Regulatory Sandbox Program, allowing businesses to temporarily test innovative products and services - such as those using blockchain technology - in regulated sectors like finance and insurance without full compliance with certain state laws. The program is administered by the new Regulatory Relief Office (within the Governor's Office), which reviews applications and works with agencies to waive or suspend relevant regulations for approved participants. An advisory committee, including business representatives and legislators, provides input and can override agency rejections of applications. This directly affects businesses developing new offerings who seek a controlled environment to demonstrate innovations before full market rollout.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyEstablishes regulatory sandbox enabling tech innovation testing (e.g., blockchain) with regulatory waivers, directly advancing tech sector development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Emerging Technology

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Feb 4, 2026

SB 939: Establishing the Office of Transformation and Opportunity and the Artificial Intelligence, Data Center and Emerging Technology Regulatory Sandbox Program; and providing for powers and duties of office and for permits for high impact data centers that have their own power.

SB 939 establishes Pennsylvania's Office of Transformation and Opportunity and creates a regulatory sandbox program for artificial intelligence, data centers, and emerging technologies. It defines "high impact data centers" as facilities with 50+ megawatts of critical power, requiring owners to notify the office when they meet this threshold. The bill standardizes local regulations to prevent stricter rules for these facilities than for other industrial uses, ensuring permitting reviews occur within 30 days for complete applications. It also creates a testing program allowing businesses to trial new technologies under temporary regulatory flexibility while requiring consumer protections and annual reports to the legislature.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyCreates regulatory sandbox for AI/data centers, standardizes regulations to facilitate tech development, aligns with pro-innovation policy framework95% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence Emerging Technology

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jul 17, 2025

SB 811: An Act establishing the Pennsylvania SBIR/STTR Matching Funds Program to provide technology grants to small businesses.

SB 811 establishes Pennsylvania's SBIR/STTR Matching Funds Program to support small businesses with federal research grants. It provides state matching funds (up to $50,000) to Pennsylvania-based businesses that receive Phase I awards under the federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) or Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. To qualify, businesses must conduct at least 51% of their Phase II research in Pennsylvania, submit a Phase I report, and avoid duplicate state funding. The program aims to foster economic growth by helping small businesses advance federal-funded research projects.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesState allocates budget funds ($50k max) to match federal small business grants, directly funding economic development through fiscal appropriation.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProvides state matching funds ($50k) for small businesses conducting technology R&D via federal SBIR/STTR programs, directly advancing tech innovation and business support.95% confidence

Tags Small Business

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Aug 4, 2025

HB 1779: An Act amending Title 12 (Commerce and Trade) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in preliminary provisions, providing for algorithmic pricing transparency and fairness; and imposing duties on the Office of Attorney General and Bureau of Consumer Protection.

HB 1779 requires businesses using algorithms to set prices (like online retailers or service platforms) to disclose how those algorithms work to consumers. It mandates the Pennsylvania Attorney General and Consumer Protection Bureau to develop rules for transparency and investigate unfair pricing practices. The bill directly affects companies that use dynamic or automated pricing models and aims to give consumers clearer insight into how prices are determined. This is a concrete policy change focused on disclosure, not on regulating specific prices or outcomes.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires algorithmic pricing transparency for consumer protection, directly regulating tech companies' pricing practices to enhance digital rights and consumer awareness.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Tags Consumer Protection

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 24, 2025

SB 886: An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in rules of evidence, providing for protection of reproductive health services records.

SB 886 would protect patient records related to reproductive health services (including pregnancy care, contraception, and abortion) in Pennsylvania by requiring healthcare providers to obtain written consent before sharing such records in court, investigations, or other proceedings. It directly affects patients receiving these services and healthcare providers (referred to as "covered entities" in the bill). Key provisions include a general consent requirement for disclosure, with exceptions for court orders, legal defense, abuse investigations, or child/senior abuse reports. The law does not override existing privacy rules for other medical information or mental health services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects patient privacy for reproductive health services (pregnancy care, contraception, abortion) by requiring consent before record disclosure, advancing patient rights in healthcare.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires written consent for disclosure of reproductive health records, directly protecting patient data privacy - a core aspect of technology policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

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passed · Pennsylvania · Senate Feb 3, 2026

SB 468: An Act amending Title 74 (Transportation) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for interstate agreements for research and deployment of unmanned aircraft systems.

SB 468 allows Pennsylvania to form agreements with other states for drone (unmanned aircraft system) research and testing. It requires Governor approval for these agreements and specifies that drone operations must occur in certain counties (including defined population ranges) or with approved educational partners like schools or colleges offering aviation courses. The bill lets the state Transportation Department create temporary rules for drone operations without standard regulatory review, while ensuring compliance with federal and local laws. This primarily affects state agencies, educational institutions, and drone operators seeking to test or deploy drones across state lines.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyEnables interstate drone research agreements and temporary regulatory flexibility for unmanned aircraft systems, advancing drone technology development without restrictions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Emerging Technology

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 1624: An Act prohibiting certain covered entities and service providers from collecting and processing location information of individuals without consent; providing for enforcement by Attorney General; establishing a private right of action; and prescribing penalties.

HB 1624 would require companies and service providers (like apps or websites) to obtain explicit permission before collecting or using people's location data. It directly affects digital services that track user movements, such as navigation apps or location-based advertisers. The law establishes penalties for violations, allows individuals to sue companies that break the rule, and gives the Attorney General authority to enforce it. Violations could result in fines, with the bill specifying these enforcement mechanisms.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires explicit consent for location data collection, strengthening user privacy protections and aligning with data protection standards in digital services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy Digital Government

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 17, 2025

HB 924: An Act amending Title 66 (Public Utilities) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in general provisions relating to Public Utility Code, further providing for definitions; and providing for Internet neutrality.

HB 924 amends Pennsylvania's Public Utility Code to establish internet neutrality protections for residents. It prohibits internet service providers (ISPs) from blocking lawful content, impairing traffic based on content, engaging in paid prioritization, or using deceptive marketing practices. The bill defines key terms like "broadband Internet access service" and requires ISPs to clearly disclose service details to customers. The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission will enforce these rules, and violations would be considered unfair trade practices under existing consumer protection law. This applies to all ISPs operating broadband services in Pennsylvania, directly affecting how they manage internet traffic for consumers.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits ISP blocking, paid prioritization, and deceptive practices - directly advancing internet neutrality and consumer protection in digital access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 24, 2025

SB 880: An Act amending the act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), known as the Human Services Code, in public assistance, providing for access device security.

SB 880 amends Pennsylvania's public assistance laws to improve security for recipients' benefit access devices (like EBT cards). It requires recipients to report stolen devices immediately and mandates new security measures, including replacing magnetic-strip cards with chip technology, adding transaction alerts via text/email, and creating a mobile app feature to lock/unlock cards. The bill also establishes streamlined reporting procedures for theft and targets outreach to educate recipients on preventing fraud. These changes directly affect public assistance recipients who use electronic benefit cards to access food, cash, or other support. The law aims to reduce financial harm from card theft and skimming during normal transactions.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyReplaces magnetic strips with chip tech, adds transaction alerts, and mobile app security features to enhance cybersecurity and data privacy for benefit cards.90% confidence

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