Technology

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Oct 16, 2025

HB 1942: An Act providing for prohibition on surveillance pricing; and imposing penalties.

HB 1942 prohibits businesses from charging higher prices to consumers based on their data collection or surveillance practices. It directly affects consumers who might face discriminatory pricing and businesses that use tracking data to set prices. The bill requires companies to stop using surveillance data (like location or browsing history) to determine price differences, imposing fines for violations. This creates a clear policy change to prevent price discrimination tied to consumer data tracking.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits businesses from using consumer data (location/browsing) for discriminatory pricing, directly protecting data privacy and preventing surveillance-based price discrimination.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy

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passed · Pennsylvania · Senate May 6, 2026

SB 1014: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in student supports, providing for bell-to-bell mobile device policy.

SB 1014 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code of 1949 to require public schools to adopt a "bell-to-bell phone-free policy" during the entire school day. This policy directly affects all public K-12 schools and students by prohibiting the use of personal electronic devices during instructional time. The key provision mandates that schools establish and enforce this policy, though the bill does not specify exemptions or implementation details. The legislation focuses on reducing distractions in classrooms by limiting student phone access from the start to the end of the school day. It is currently pending in the Education committee.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates phone-free classrooms to reduce distractions, directly supporting learning environment in K-12 schools. No funding cuts or curriculum restrictions; clear intent to strengthen educational focus.90% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill mandates restriction of personal electronic devices in schools during instruction, limiting technology access and use in educational settings.90% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education School Safety

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Oct 17, 2025

SB 1044: An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for connected vehicle service and remote access and tracking.

SB 1044 amends Pennsylvania's vehicle laws to establish rules for connected vehicle features like remote locking, tracking, and diagnostics. It requires manufacturers to obtain clear user consent before sharing vehicle data and implement security measures to protect privacy. The bill directly affects vehicle owners who use connected services and automakers selling vehicles in Pennsylvania. Key provisions set standards for data handling, ensuring users control their information while enabling new vehicle technologies.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires user consent and security measures for vehicle data, protecting privacy and enhancing cybersecurity per bill summary.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAmends vehicle laws to establish data privacy and security standards for connected vehicles, enhancing user control and safety in transportation technology.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Vehicle Registration

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passed · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 12, 2026

SB 806: An Act providing for unfair methods of competition and for enforcement and penalties.

SB 806 amends Pennsylvania's Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law to require businesses and creators to clearly disclose when content (such as text, images, audio, or video) is generated by artificial intelligence before presenting it to consumers. The bill defines "clear and conspicuous" disclosure as requiring the notice to be easily noticeable in size, color, location, and duration - without being hidden, contradicted, or obscured by other information. This applies to all AI-generated content distributed to consumers, including online posts, ads, or product descriptions. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates clear AI content disclosure to prevent consumer deception, aligning with digital rights and data privacy protections under consumer protection law.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Oct 24, 2025

HB 1993: An Act providing for the use of artificial intelligence in mental health therapy and for enforcement.

HB 1993 establishes standards and oversight requirements for mental health professionals using artificial intelligence tools in therapy. It directly affects licensed therapists, clinics, and their patients by mandating safety protocols, data privacy safeguards, and regular audits for AI therapy platforms. The bill requires licensing boards to develop enforcement mechanisms, including penalties for non-compliance, and sets criteria for AI tool certification. Referred to the Professional Licensure committee, the bill aims to regulate AI integration while prioritizing patient safety and ethical practice.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates safety protocols, data privacy, and AI certification for mental health therapy, protecting patients and strengthening service standards within healthcare.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates data privacy safeguards, safety protocols, and oversight for AI therapy tools, aligning with privacy protection and consumer safety indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing Mental Health Artificial Intelligence Data Privacy

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Feb 4, 2026

SB 491: An Act amending Title 66 (Public Utilities) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in alternative form of regulation of telecommunications services, further providing for network modernization plans and for additional powers and duties of commission.

SB 491 modifies Pennsylvania's telecommunications regulations by relieving local telecom companies of certain service obligations. Starting in 2026, companies won't need to provide broadband where other providers already serve a location (Section 3014(b)(9)), and by 2027, they’re exempt from extending service when alternatives exist (Section 3014(b)(10)-(11)). The bill also requires the Public Utility Commission to permanently waive specific regulatory rules for telecom carriers (Section 3019(c)), while explicitly removing the Commission’s jurisdiction over VoIP and broadband services. These changes directly affect telecom companies and customers in areas with competing broadband providers.

Topics ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill exempts telecoms from extending broadband where alternatives exist, reducing service expansion requirements and limiting internet access expansion.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access Telecommunications

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 25, 2026

HB 1925: An Act amending Titles 35 (Health and Safety), 40 (Insurance) and 67 (Public Welfare) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for artificial intelligence in facilities, for artificial intelligence use by insurers and for artificial intelligence use by MA or CHIP managed care plans; imposing duties on the Department of Health, the Insurance Department and the Department of Human Services; and imposing penalties.

HB 1925 regulates how healthcare facilities, insurance companies, and Medicaid/CHIP managed care plans can use artificial intelligence. It requires the Department of Health, Insurance Department, and Department of Human Services to create rules for AI safety and transparency in these sectors. The bill imposes penalties for failing to comply with these new requirements. It directly affects providers and insurers operating in Pennsylvania's health and insurance systems.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRegulates AI safety/transparency in healthcare facilities/insurers, imposing penalties to protect patient rights and system integrity per bill's requirements.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRegulates AI use in healthcare/insurance with safety/transparency rules, protecting consumers from misuse per bill's requirements and penalties.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health Medicaid Artificial Intelligence

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Apr 9, 2025

HB 407: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in assault, further providing for the offense of stalking.

HB 407 creates a new criminal offense for unauthorized location tracking in Pennsylvania, making it illegal to install or use technology (such as apps or devices) to monitor someone's location without their consent. Exceptions include law enforcement during investigations, parents tracking minor children, guardians monitoring incapacitated persons, and other specific scenarios like fleet vehicle tracking with proper consent. The bill does not change existing stalking laws but adds this new provision to address technology-enabled harassment. It directly affects individuals who might use location-tracking tools to harass others, while clarifying permitted uses for safety and legal purposes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAdds new offense for unauthorized location tracking, protecting privacy rights and enhancing stalking laws under criminal justice reform.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits unauthorized location tracking via technology, strengthening data privacy protections under criminal law.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Violent Crime

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House May 22, 2025

HB 140: An Act amending the act of December 17, 1968 (P.L.1224, No.387), known as the Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law, further providing for definitions.

HB 140 amends Pennsylvania's Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law to add specific definitions related to algorithmic rent-setting software. The bill defines "unfair methods of competition" to include using software that analyzes rental data (like historical prices or occupancy rates) to recommend rent amounts, lease terms, or occupancy levels for residential or commercial properties. Landlords using such software would be directly affected, as its use could now be considered an unfair practice under the law. The definition explicitly excludes aggregated rental reports published monthly and tools used for affordable housing program compliance.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill defines algorithmic rent-setting as unfair, protecting tenants from exploitative pricing practices under consumer protection law.90% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyRestricts algorithmic rent-setting software by defining its use as 'unfair methods of competition' under consumer protection law, limiting tech application in housing.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Nov 5, 2025

HB 1512: An Act requiring manufacturers of digital electronic equipment to make available to owners and independent repair providers, on fair and reasonable terms, documentation, parts and tools used to diagnose, maintain and repair digital electronic equipment; and imposing a penalty.

HB 1512 requires manufacturers of digital electronic devices (like smartphones and computers) to provide owners and independent repair shops with necessary repair documentation, parts, and tools on fair and reasonable terms. The bill mandates that manufacturers make this information accessible to enable repairs outside of official channels. It also imposes penalties for manufacturers who fail to comply with these requirements. This directly affects device manufacturers and expands repair options for consumers and small repair businesses. The bill passed final passage in the legislature on October 27, 2025, and now awaits review by the Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure committee.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires manufacturers to provide repair documentation/parts, promoting consumer rights and device longevity in tech sector per bill's mandate.85% confidence

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