Technology (Data Privacy)

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 9, 2025

SB 603: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in computer offenses, providing for Internet protections for minors.

SB 603 requires commercial websites containing over one-third "material harmful to minors" (such as explicit sexual content or content lacking literary value for minors) to implement reasonable age verification before minors can access that content. It directly affects businesses operating such websites, mandating they use third-party verification methods without retaining users' personal data. The law exempts bona fide news organizations and news-gathering activities, and holds commercial entities liable for damages if minors access harmful content or if they improperly retain user data. Internet service providers are not held liable for simply hosting or connecting to such websites.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates age verification without data retention, directly protecting minors' privacy in online content access per bill's explicit privacy requirement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Data Privacy Online Safety Social Media

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 9, 2025

HB 1179: An Act providing for privacy, transparency and compensation regarding the disclosure of information collected by genetic material testing entities.

HB 1179, the Genetic Materials Privacy and Compensation Act, requires genetic testing entities (including medical facilities, genealogy services, and law enforcement) to clearly disclose to individuals what genetic data they collect, how it may be used, and with which third parties it will be shared. The bill mandates "prominent disclosure" in plain language before data collection, prohibiting misleading claims about data privacy or usage. It specifically requires testing entities to obtain explicit consent before sharing genetic material with third parties. The law directly affects individuals using genetic tests and the companies providing those services, focusing on transparency rather than compensation mechanisms.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires law enforcement to disclose genetic data practices, promoting transparency and protecting privacy rights in criminal investigations.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates transparency and protection for genetic data collected during healthcare services (medical facilities), directly advancing patient privacy rights in healthcare data handling.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates clear disclosure and consent for genetic data collection, strengthening consumer data privacy protections under technology policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 30, 2025

HB 1329: 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 1329 makes it illegal to share secretly recorded videos or images of people in private settings, specifically targeting the transmission of such material via phone, email, internet, or physical media. It directly affects individuals who secretly record others' intimate areas (like genitals or nipples with minimal covering) in places where privacy is expected - such as bathrooms or changing rooms - and then share those recordings. The bill updates Pennsylvania's invasion of privacy law to explicitly prohibit this sharing, with harsher penalties when the victim is a student or minor. This law aims to protect people from non-consensual sharing of intimate content, particularly in vulnerable situations.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyTargets digital sharing of secret recordings via internet/email to protect privacy, directly advancing data privacy protections in technology contexts.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Data Privacy

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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 · 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 Aug 15, 2025

HB 1804: An Act providing for the withholding of Commonwealth payments to the Federal Government; perfecting liens on Federal property; establishing a civil cause of action; and prohibiting the Commonwealth from sharing data with the Federal Government that contains personally identifiable information.

HB 1804 would require the Commonwealth to withhold state payments to the federal government, strengthen claims against federal property, and prohibit sharing personal data with federal agencies. It creates a legal pathway for the Commonwealth to sue the federal government over withheld payments or data misuse. The bill directly affects how the state interacts with federal agencies on financial transactions and data privacy. Key provisions include blocking state funds to the federal government, allowing legal action for property claims, and banning the sharing of personally identifiable information.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill explicitly requires withholding state payments to federal government, defunding federal programs through state budget actions.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits sharing personally identifiable information with federal agencies, directly protecting data privacy as a core technology policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Data Privacy

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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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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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passed · Pennsylvania · House Jun 25, 2026

HB 78: An Act providing for consumer data privacy, for duties of controllers and for duties of processors; and imposing penalties.

HB 78 establishes rules for businesses handling consumer data, requiring them to be transparent about data collection, secure personal information, and allow consumers to access or delete their data. It directly affects companies that collect personal information (like names, addresses, or online activity) from residents of the state. Key provisions include mandating clear privacy notices, implementing security measures, and giving consumers control over their data. Violations would result in fines imposed by the state's consumer protection agency. The bill passed final passage in October 2025 and is now law.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates transparency, security, and consumer data control for businesses handling personal information, directly strengthening privacy protections in technology use.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy

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