October 7 – October 9, 2024

Bills voted on Third Consideration

SB 1131 (COMITTA) Amends Title 8 (Boroughs and Incorporated Towns) to clarify and expedite the process for filling vacancies in the mayor, member of council, auditor, controller, or tax collectors’ office. Requires the court of common pleas to fill vacancies when presented with a petition signed by either the remaining council members or at least 15 registered borough electors. Prohibits the chair of the vacancy board from voting for themselves to fill any vacancy. PASSED 48 – 0.

SB 1176 (DUSH) Amends the Public School Code to require that when a school entity, nonpublic school or the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) collects a fee for admission to a school-sponsored activity, cash must be accepted as a form of payment. Allows a school entity, nonpublic school, or association to refuse to accept payment if the denomination significantly exceeds the admission fee. PASSED 47 – 1.

SB 1289 (KEARNEY) Amends the Second Class Township Code to clarify and expedite the process for filling vacancies in township offices. Requires the court of common pleas to fill vacancies when a township’s vacancy board is unable to act or when a majority of the board of supervisors positions are vacant. PASSED 48 – 0.

Bill amended on Third Consideration

SB 1320 (DISANTO) Renames the Money Transmission Business Licensing Law to Money Transmission and Virtual Currency Transmission Business Licensing Law and requires business entities that transmit virtual currency for a fee to be licensed as a Money Transmitter with the Department of Banking and Securities. OVER AS AMENDED.

A05883 (DISANTO) Clarifies the required license required is the same for both a money transmitter and a virtual currency transmitter. Extends the requirement for a licensee to operate in a way that does not create the likelihood of certain adverse economic impacts to individuals who use the licensee’s services to transmit virtual currency. AGREED TO.

Bills voted on Third Consideration

HB 155 (SANCHEZ) Amends the Health Care Facilities Act by authorizing the use of two-way video remote technology to satisfy the requirement for a personal face-to-face interview for potential direct care employees. PASSED 50 – 0.

HB 269 (WEBSTER) Consolidates Act 37 of 1868 into Title 16 (Counties) and extends the time period when a veteran’s records of discharge or separation may not be disclosed—other than to the subject of the records, immediate family, or authorized representatives—to 85 years from 75 years. Removes $0.50 fee collected by the county recorders of deeds for each discharge record. PASSED 50 – 0.

SB 1235 (ARGALL) Authorizes DGS to convey state lands part of Tuscarora State Park in Rush Township (Schuylkill County) to the White Birch Golf Course and Restaurant for $1. PASSED 28 – 22. SB 1277 (ARGALL) Establishes a freestanding act requiring DGS to develop a plan for the divestiture of the Hamburg Center, the Polk Center and the White Haven Center. The plan must include a three-year plan to transfer each property from the Commonwealth to a buyer, details regarding any discussions between the Commonwealth and any potential buyer, details regarding yearly costs for upkeep of each property and projected costs through 2035, the costs associated with demolition of buildings located at each property, and the costs associated with
refurbishing buildings deemed structurally unsafe. PASSED 47 – 3.

SB 1320 (DISANTO) Renames the Money Transmission Business Licensing Law to Money Transmission and Virtual Currency Transmission Business Licensing Law and requires business entities that transmit virtual currency for a fee to be licensed as a Money Transmitter with the Department of Banking and Securities. PASSED 50 – 0.

HB 1820 (BULLOCK) Amends the Cosmetology Law to eliminate the natural hair braiding license under the State Board of Cosmetology. Clarifies nothing prohibits or regulates the practice of natural hair braiding or to operate a business solely related to natural hair braiding. PASSED 49 – 1.

HB 2127 (FIEDLER) Creates the Perinatal and Postpartum Education Act requiring DOH to publish on its website resource lists and fact sheets regarding perinatal or postpartum mood and anxiety disorder (PMAD) which hospitals, birthing centers, physicians and midwives and nurse-midwives may provide to patients. Requires DOH to also establish a public awareness campaign concerning PMAD. PASSED 50 – 0.

HB 2383 (SOLOMON) Establishes the Older Adult Mentor Volunteer Program Act requiring the Department of Education, in consultation with the State Board of Education and Department of Aging, to the extent that funding is made available, to develop guidelines for a program that utilize the education and professional knowledge of older adult mentor volunteers to enhance student experiences which include: (1) the roles of school entities and intermediate units in program implementation and evaluation; (2) policies and procedures for operation of the program; (3) identification of methods for use in fostering participation in the program; and (4) development and dissemination of application forms. Requires PDE, in coordination with intermediate units, to the extent that funding is made available, to develop and maintain a central registry of volunteers to facilitate matching volunteers with students. Requires intermediate units, school entities and area agencies on aging to furnish program applications to older adults upon request. PASSED 49 – 1.

SB 1300 (LANGERHOLC) Amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) to increase damage payments for plaintiffs in cases involving permanent dismemberment or death against Commonwealth Agencies and local parties. Maximum damages are increased to $1 million per plaintiff or $2 million in the aggregate for cases against Commonwealth Agencies, and $1 million in the aggregate for cases against local parties. Additionally, the maximum amount of medical and dental expenses recoverable is increased from $1,500 to $10,000. PASSED 26 – 24.

Bill Amended on Third Consideration

HB 1509 (N. NELSON) Amending Titles 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) and 61 (Prisons and Parole) providing for pregnant or postpartum restrictions, training, supports and reporting. Allows existing boards of inspectors for county jails to appoint 2-4 county residents to the board. Permits Bucks, Delaware, and Montgomery Counties to elect by resolution of the county commissioners to the board of inspector method of governing county prison facilities. AMENDED AND RE-REFFERED TO APPROPRIATIONS.

A05934 (BAKER) Technical amendment and adding provisions ensuring the continuity of operations, activities, and contracts currently in effect under existing statute. ADOPTED 50 – 0.

Bill Voted on Concurrence

SB 668 (J. WARD) Amends the Health Care Facilities Act to permit nurse aides to become Certified Medication Aides (CMA) in long-term care facilities, allowing them to administer oral, ophthalmic, transdermal, otic, inhaled, or topical medication beyond initial or adjusted doses. Requires DOH to establish a medication aide training and certification program and allows DOH to impose a civil penalty of up to $500 on a facility for each incident in which the certified
medical aide engages in conduct that constitutes a basis for discipline. CONCURRED IN HOUSE AMENDMENTS 50 – 0.

Resolution Adopted

SR 334 (COLEMAN) Directs the President of the Senate to instruct the Sergeant-at-Arms to bring Patrick M. Browne, Secretary of Revenue, before the bar of the Senate within three legislative days for refusal to comply with a subpoena issued by the Intergovernmental Operations Committee. Failure to produce the documentation may result in Mr. Browne being found in contempt of the Senate and committed to Dauphin County Prison until November 30, 2024. ADOPTED 28 – 22.

Bills voted on Third Consideration

SB 1230 (BAKER) Amends the Administrative Code to adopt the updated version of the elevator and escalator code promulgated by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), effective July 1, 2025. Allows the Elevator Safety Board to recommend modifications and requires notification of these recommendations to L&I by December 31, 2024. L&I must notify LRB of the code along with any modifications by the board for publication in the PA Bulletin by March 31, 2025. PASSED 49 – 0.

HB 1700 (ISAACSON) Amends Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) to include federal judicial officers under the protections provided to public safety officials. PASSED 49 – 0.

HB 1730 (BRENNAN) Amends the Real Estate Licensing and Registration Act to exempt municipalities from licensure and registration requirements as a cemetery company with the State Real Estate Commission. PASSED 49 – 0.

HB 2084 (BRIGGS) Amends the Wholesale Prescription Drug Distributors License Act requiring licensure of virtual manufacturers with the Department of Health. Exempts virtual manufactures from requirements relevant to warehousing, including facility specifications and handling of drugs, but must ensure that the locations where drugs are warehoused do meet the requirements. PASSED 49 – 0.

HB 2132 (DALEY) Amends Title 12 (Commerce and Trade) creating the Pennsylvania-Ireland Trade Commission within DCED. Establishes the Pennsylvania-Ireland Trade Commission Fund to accept monetary and other financial gifts, grants, donations, bequests, payments, and other monetary contributions for Commission administrative expenses. Prohibits any money remaining in the fund at the end of the FY from being reverted to the General Fund.
Establishes the Entertainment Economic Program allowing a musical performer or a concert tour management company to apply for a tax credit for certain tour expenses if the minimum requirements are met, not exceeding $24,000,000 of the aggregate for the fiscal year. PASSED 48 – 1.

HB 2268 (MARKOSEK) Amends the Insurance Company Law of 1921 requiring commercial insurance to cover speech therapy for childhood stuttering when determined to be medically necessary. PASSED 49 – 0.

HB 2381 (MARKOSEK) Amends Title 63 (Professions and Occupations (State Licensed)) allowing a licensing board or commission under the Department of State’s Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs to promulgate one-time temporary regulations that are necessary for the implementation of each interstate licensure compact. Temporary regulations will expire in three years. PASSED 49 – 0.

HB 1509 (NELSON) Amending Titles 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) and 61 (Prisons and Parole) providing for pregnant or postpartum restrictions, training, supports and reporting. Allows existing boards of inspectors for county jails to appoint 2-4 county residents to the board. Permits Bucks, Delaware, and Montgomery Counties to elect by resolution of the county commissioners to the board of inspector method of governing county prison facilities. PASSED 48 – 1.

HB 1608 (CEPHAS) Amends the Human Services Code to provide medical assistance coverage to certified doulas for providing services to an individual covered under MA during pregnancy, labor and delivery, and up to one year postpartum. Requires DHS to establish the Doula Advisory Board. Prohibits third-party payers from refusing payment for an item or service on the basis that such item or service did not receive prior authorization under the third-party payer’s rules. PASSED 49 – 0.

HB 2266 (TOMLINSON) Amends Title 75 (Vehicles) to enhance penalties for street racing by expand the prohibition on racing on highways to also include trafficways, increase the penalty and grading for racing on highways, and prohibit drifting on highways and trafficways. PASSED 48 – 1.

HB 2561 (HOWARD) Amends Title 3 (Agriculture) to extend temporary regulations necessary to administer and enforce race horse industry reform and issued by the Horse Racing Commission, from October 2025 to October 19, 2028. PASSED 49 – 0.

SB 365 (BARTOLOTTA) Amends the Workers’ Compensation Act to clarify the requirements for a first responder to establish a post-traumatic stress injury workers’ compensation claim. Defines “first responder” as EMTs, firefighters, Pennsylvania State Troopers, or peace officers. PASSED 49 – 0.

Bills Voted on Concurrence

SB 801 (AUMENT) Amends the Public School Code to require school entities beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, to implement a comprehensive, evidence-based reading curriculum for students in kindergarten through grade three that includes screenings, interventions, and professional development. Requires PDE to develop and maintain lists of approved evidence-based reading instruction curricula, structured literacy professional development training,
universal reading screeners, and structured literacy intervention approaches. Requires educator preparation program instructors who teach reading and literacy education programs to prospective educators to be trained in interventions based on structured literacy. Reformats current references to list the provisions of law applicable to cyber charter schools. Establishes the Reading Leadership Council to advise PDE on the development and maintenance of the list of reading instruction curricula, a list of structured literacy professional development training programs, a list of universal reading screeners, and the list of structured literacy intervention approaches. CONCURRED IN HOUSE AMENDMENTS 49 – 0.

SB 1241 (GEBHARD) Amends the Insurance Department Act of 1921 to remove the requirement that prior to taking the insurance producer licensing examination, a candidate must complete 24 credit hours of approved pre-examination courses of study. Requires at least 3 hours of ethics training and at least 2 hours of flood insurance training be a part of a licensee’s continuing education. CONCURRED IN HOUSE AMENDMENTS 49 – 0.

SB 1080 (CULVER) Amends the Vital Statistics Law authorizing practical nurses to pronounce the death of hospice care patients under certain conditions. Explicitly lists whose vital statistics records are eligible for a fee waiver and who is eligible to apply for fee-waived certified copies of those records. CONCURRED IN HOUSE AMENDMENTS 49 – 0.

SB 1118 (STEFANO) Amends Titles 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) and 75 (Vehicles) to allow judges to impose community service in lieu of fines, fees, and other sanctions for traffic offenses that might otherwise result in a license suspension. Establishes that drivers who are charged with a violation of driving while their operating privileges are suspended cannot also be charged under requiring drivers to be licensed. Requires the individual to respond to a citation or summons issued by the court and requires the court to notify the individual of the requirement to respond at least 30 days before the court notifies PennDOT to impose a suspension. Waives revocation fees for any person who enters into an agreement for installment payments or a program of community
service. CONCURRED IN HOUSE AMENDMENTS 49 – 0.

SB 1213 (PENNYCUICK) Amends Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) making it a second-degree misdemeanor to disseminate an artificially generated sexual depiction of another person, except if the image is of a minor and will then be a first-degree misdemeanor. Expands the offense for sexual abuse of children to include the dissemination of artificially generated child sexual material. Requires an artificial intelligence developer who, upon obtaining actual knowledge of the existence of artificially generated child sexual abuse material, to immediately report the material to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Replaces the term “child pornography” with the term “child sexual abuse material.” CONCURRED IN HOUSE AMENDMENTS 49 – 0.

SB 1274 (ROBINSON) Amends the Sign Language Interpreter and Transliterator State Registration Act to modernize the law. Changes the situations in which a person may not be certified but is able to provide services for emergency situations. Removes the 20-hour requirement of professional development for renewals and requires L&I to review the requirements of all alternative pathway programs annually and have the list of approved programs published in
the Pennsylvania Bulletin. CONCURRED IN HOUSE AMENDMENTS 49 – 0.

SB 1051 (HUTCHINSON) Amends the Tax Reform Code of 1971 to update the Board of Finance & Revenue tax appeals process and clarifies cannabis dispensaries with a legal permit may claim a deduction for ordinary and necessary business expenses. CONCURRED IN HOUSE AMENDMENTS 47 – 2.

Executive Nominations

State Board of Accountancy, Chandra P. Mirpuri Lalvani CONFIRMED 49 – 0.
Architects Licensure Board, Patrick J. Endler CONFIRMED 49 – 0.
State Board of Barber Examiners, John C. Christopher CONFIRMED 49 – 0.
State Board of Crane Operators, Andrew S. Goulet CONFIRMED 49 – 0.
State Board of Dentistry, Donna L. Murray CONFIRMED 49 – 0.
State Board of Funeral Directors, Chad M. Lutz CONFIRMED 49 – 0.
State Board of Landscape Architects, David B. Morgan CONFIRMED 49 – 0.
State Board of Medicine, Gerard F. Dillon CONFIRMED 49 – 0.
State Board of Examiners of Nursing Home Administrators, Ilene Warner-Maron CONFIRMED 49 – 0.
State Board of Osteopathic Medicine, Neil Curtis CONFIRMED 49 – 0.
Board of Trustees of the Pennsylvania State University, Suzan T. Collins CONFIRMED 49 – 0.
Board of Trustees of the Pennsylvania State University, Kenneth C. Kane CONFIRMED 49 – 0.
State Board of Pharmacy, James J. Reed, Jr CONFIRMED 49 – 0.
State Board of Pharmacy, Christine M. Roussel CONFIRMED 49 – 0.
State Board of Psychology, Daniel N. Warner CONFIRMED 49 – 0.
State Real Estate Commission, Armand N. Ferrara, Jr CONFIRMED 49 – 0.
State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists
and Professional Counselors, Sau-Ling Dinse CONFIRMED 49 – 0.
State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists
and Professional Counselors, Andrew W. Gross CONFIRMED 49 – 0.
State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists
and Professional Counselors, Tiffany M. Welch CONFIRMED 49 – 0.
State Board of Vehicle Manufacturers, Dealers and Salespersons, Jeffrey R. Foster CONFIRMED 49 – 0.