Bills voted on Third Consideration
SB 1157 (ARGALL) Amends the Public School Code to permit the parent or guardian of a six-year old child required
to attend school to apply to the Department of Education for a one-year waiver from the requirement of
compulsory education if the child has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Requires a medical
professional to recommend the child receive continued intensive early intervention services and the parent or
guardian to provide proof services will be provided for the term of the waiver. Allows a child to be enrolled at any
point during the school year or in kindergarten or first grade the following year. PASSED 28 – 22.
SB 1231 (BAKER) Amends Title 20 (Decedents, Estates and Fiduciaries) providing for the establishment of directed
trusts, as well as a streamlined method of terminating a trust. PASSED 50 – 0.
Bills voted on Third Consideration
SB 1001 (MARTIN) Provides for the General Appropriation Act for FY 2024-2025. PASSED 49 – 1.
SB 1002 (MARTIN) Makes appropriations to the Department of State for use by the Bureau of Professional and
Occupational Affairs in support of professional licensure boards for FY 2024-2025. PASSED 49 – 1.
SB 1003 (MARTIN) Makes appropriations to the Department of Labor and Industry and to the Office of Small
Business Advocate for their duties related to the Workers’ Compensation Act and the Pennsylvania Occupational
Disease Act for FY 2024-2025. PASSED 49 – 1.
SB 1004 (MARTIN) Makes an appropriation to the Office of Small Business Advocate for FY 2024-2025.
PASSED 50 – 0.
SB 1005 (MARTIN) Makes an appropriation to the Office of Consumer Advocate for FY 2024-2025. PASSED 49 – 1.
SB 1006 (MARTIN) Makes appropriations to the Public School Employees’ Retirement System for FY 2024-2025.
PASSED 49 – 1.
SB 1007 (MARTIN) Makes appropriations to the State Employees’ Retirement System for Fiscal Year 2024 – 2024.
PASSED 49 – 1.
SB 1008 (MARTIN) Makes an appropriation for the operations of the Philadelphia Parking Authority for FY 2024-
2025. PASSED 50 – 0.
SB 1009 (MARTIN) Makes appropriations for the operations of the Public Utility Commission for FY 2024-2025.
PASSED 49 – 1.
SB 1010 (MARTIN) Makes appropriations for gaming-related administration and enforcement for FY 2024-2025.
PASSED 49 – 1.
SB 1121 (ROBINSON) Amends Title 12 (Commerce and Trade) to create the Pennsylvania-Ireland Trade Commission
within the Department of Community and Economic Development. Directs the Commission to facilitate trade,
economic, investment, academic, and cultural exchanges between the Commonwealth and Ireland. PASSED 49 – 1.
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. PASSED 50 – 0.
HB 1490 (GALLAGHER) Amends the Acupuncture Licensure Act codifying regulations allowing an acupuncturist to
practice oriental medicine if the acupuncturist is licensed with the State Board of Medicine or the State Board of
Osteopathic Medicine to do so, has completed an approved education program, and obtained national certification.
Exempts an individual currently licensed to practice acupuncture in another state from licensure for the purposes of
attending a continuing education course in the Commonwealth PASSED 48 – 2.
HB 1754 (MULLINS) Amends the Insurance Company Law of 1921 to require coverage of biomarker testing in
commercial insurance policies, CHIP and Medicaid for the purposes of diagnosis, treatment, appropriate
management, or ongoing monitoring of a covered person’s disease or condition to guide treatment decisions.
PASSED 50 – 0.
Bills amended on Second Consideration
SB 1246 (KEARNEY) Amends Title 74 (Transportation) to codify the Department of Transportation’s State Safety
Oversight Office for rail transit and busway transportation systems and to authorize a risk-based inspection program.
AMENDED, MOVED TO THRID CONSIDERATION AND RE-REFERRED TO APPRORIATIONS.
A05189 (KEARNEY) Updates and clarifies several provisions. Requires SOS personal to inspect system
facilities at reasonable times and in a reasonable manner and accompanied by appropriate system
employees. Removes minimum hiring standards for SOS employees. Maintains the minimum federal
standards as required by the Federal Transit Administration and applicable federal and state law.
AGREED TO.
HB 1664 (SCOTT) Amends Title 40 (Insurance) to prohibit an insurance company from requiring a health care
provider, including a dentist, to use a virtual credit card. Enables the Insurance Department to levy fines for
violations. Allows covered persons to opt-in to receiving electronic notices for employed-sponsored health
insurance. AMENDED, MOVED TO THRID CONSIDERATION AND RE-REFERRED TO APPRORIATIONS.
A05064 (DISANTO) Makes technical changes and significant changes regarding electronic notices of
insurance documents. AGREED TO.
Executive Nominations
Animal Health and Diagnostic Commission, Ashley M. Hoover CONFIRMED 50 – 0.
State Conservation Commission, William I. Iams CONFIRMED 50 – 0.
State Board of Dentistry, Joyce Warwick CONFIRMED 50 – 0.
Board of Governors of the State System of Higher Education, Robert W. Bogle CONFIRMED 50 – 0.
Board of Governors of the State System of Higher Education, Quintin B. Bullock CONFIRMED 50 – 0.
Board of Governors of the State System of Higher Education, Richard D. Caruso CONFIRMED 50 – 0.
Board of Governors of the State System of Higher Education, Brandon W. Danz CONFIRMED 50 – 0.
Board of Governors of the State System of Higher Education, William A. Gindlesperger CONFIRMED 50 – 0.
Board of Governors of the State System of Higher Education, Cynthia D. Shapira CONFIRMED 50 – 0.
Board of Governors of the State System of Higher Education, Robert L. Traynham, II CONFIRMED 50 – 0.
State Board of Optometry, Satya B. Verma CONFIRMED 50 – 0.
State Farm Products Show Commission, Rylee A. Ewing CONFIRMED 50 – 0.
State Farm Products Show Commission, Carleen M. Vorisek CONFIRMED 50 – 0.
Bill voted on Concurrence
SB 739 (VOGEL) Amends Title 40 (Insurance) requiring health insurance policies, including Medicaid and CHIP, to
provide coverage for covered health care services delivered through telemedicine consistent with the insurer’s
medical policies and federal and state law. CONCURRED IN HOUSE AMENDMENTS 49 – 1.
Bills voted on Third Consideration
HB 109 (CIRESI) Establishes the Prohibition of Early Contract Termination Fees Upon Death Act prohibiting certain
service providers from imposing a fee for the early termination of a contract upon the death of the service recipient.
PASSED 46 – 4.
SB 965 (CULVER) Amends the Human Services Code requiring Medical Assistance coverage, subject to CMS approval,
of rapid whole genome sequencing for critically ill infants under the age of one. PASSED 50 – 0.
SB 1147 (BARTOLOTTA) Amends title 75 (Vehicles) to permit motorcycle safety inspections to be completed in all
months of the year. PASSED 50 – 0.
SB 1192 (GEBHARD) Amends Title 51 (Military Affairs) to permit the leasing of Fort Indiantown Gap lands to
generate revenue for the newly established Service Members, Veterans and their Families Fund. The Fund provides
for the continued operation and development of new quality of life activities and programs for service members,
veterans, and their families. PASSED 50 – 0.
HB 1818 (CEPEDA-FREYTIZ) Amends the Self-Service Storage Facility Act to permit owners of self-service storage
facilities to publish redundant advertisements online when required to advertise in a newspaper of general
circulation. PASSED 49 – 1.
SB 82 (PHILLIPS-HILL) Amends the Dog Law to expand license fee exemptions for service dogs; to establish service
dog kennels; to eliminate the requirement for an interstate certification of veterinary inspection to board out-of-state dogs;
to offer an option to the quarantine requirements for dogs imported into a kennel other than a boarding
kennel; and to make technical changes. PASSED 50 – 0.
SB 971 (COLEMAN) Amends the Public School Code to require a school entity to notify parents, guardians and school
employees within 24 hours of incidents involving possession of a weapon on school property that constitutes a
violation of state law or school entity policies. PASSED 47 – 3.
SB 1246 (KEARNEY) Amends Title 74 (Transportation) to codify the Department of Transportation’s State Safety
Oversight Office for rail transit and busway transportation systems and to authorize a risk-based inspection program.
PASSED 50 – 0.
Bills amended on Third Consideration
SB 645 (HUGHES) Amends Title 53 (Municipalities Generally) to provide that in cities of the first class, a possessor
may acquire title to privately owned vacant land through an action to quiet title to gardens or community gardens
through adverse possession. AMENDED AND OVER.
A05135 (LAUGHLIN) Requires the petitioner be a resident of the city of the first class. Upon petitioning the
court for a quiet title, the petitioner must submit a plan for paying all required taxes, unless otherwise
exempt. After title is granted, the land must remain a garden/community garden for another 7 years. The
land cannot exceed one-half acre. ADOPTED 50 – 0.
SB 913 (LANGERHOLC) Establishes the Virtual Mental Health in Schools Act to require parental consent for students
under 18 years old receiving virtual mental health services in schools. Defines virtual mental health services as
online support, online peer support community, or counseling provided by an individual, who is not a licensed
mental health professional in this Commonwealth, or application. AMENDED AND OVER.
A05214 (LANGERHOLC) Defines virtual mental health services as web-based services as access to an online
peer support community; counseling or mental health support provided by an unqualified individual not
located in the Commonwealth; and behavioral health support provided by artificial intelligence. Removes
defined terms in the underlying bill. Does not authorize practice or grant immunity from criminal or civil
penalty when an individual who is not a qualified professional engages in a course of conduct that is in
violation of relevant law, rule, or regulation. ADOPTED 28 – 22.
Bill voted on Third Consideration
HB 73 (KERWIN) Amends Title 75 (Vehicles) authorizing the Department of Transportation to issue a special
registration plate to veterans of Operation Inherent Resolve. PASSED 49 – 0.
SB 645 (HUGHES) Amends Title 53 (Municipalities Generally) providing a possessor who resides in the city of the first
class may acquire title to privately owned vacant land within the city of the first class through an action to quiet title
to gardens or community gardens through adverse possession. PASSED 42 – 7.
SB 840 (BROWN) Establishes the Alzheimer’s Dementia and Related Disorders Act to create an Alzheimer’s
Dementia and Related Disorders Office and Alzheimer’s Dementia and Related Disorders Advisory Committee within
the Department of Aging. PASSED 49 – 0.
SB 913 (LANGERHOLC) Establishes the Virtual Mental Health in Schools Act to require parental consent for students
under 18 years old receiving virtual mental health services in schools. Defines virtual mental health services as web-based
services as access to an online peer support community; counseling or mental health support provided by an
unqualified individual not located in the Commonwealth; and behavioral health support provided by artificial intelligence. PASSED 28 – 21.
SB 1031 (A. WILLIAMS) Amends the Cosmetology Law to eliminate licensure of a natural hair braider. Eliminates a
school of cosmetology’s requirements to teach natural hair braiding. Requires the Cosmetology Board, in
consultation with the Department of Health, to develop and promulgate a training video and written materials
providing information about infection control techniques and diseases of the scalp that are appropriate for hair
braiding in or outside of a salon setting and any other relevant information. PASSED 49 – 0.
HB 1760 (HANBRIDGE) Amends Title 20 (Decedents, Estates and Fiduciaries) prohibiting any individual convicted of
elder abuse from receiving property or benefits from the estate of the victim. PASSED 49 – 0.
SB 1260 (SANTARSIERO) Enacts the Stand with Israel Act to prohibit public funds from boycotting or divesting from
Israel and to prohibit funding to an institution of higher education that engages in a boycott against or divestment
from Israel. PASSED 41 – 7.
Bill amended on Second Consideration
HB 829 (GERGLEY) Amends the Liquor Code to allow the issuance of a special occasion permit to non-profits that
provide canine assisted activities for children and adults with special needs. Provides for discounts for wholesale
licensees. Increases the number of hours a retail licensees can hold happy hours from 14 hours a week to 24 and
allows for limited alcohol and food beverage combinations during them. Permits hotel, restaurant, and club
licensees to include up to two alcoholic beverages in the cost of a ticket to a self-sponsored event. Allows a hotel,
restaurant, eating place, or club licensee to employee a person with an ownership interest in any manufacturer in
positions other than manager or serving alcohol. Permits employees of a licensed establishment, and employees of
a distributor or importing distributor, to be employed by a distributor, importing distributor, manufacturer,
importer, vendor licensee, or any out of state manufacturer unless they are a licensee, officer, or manager at the
establishment. Allows for a filing fee for applications and provides for temporary extensions relating to the
extension of licensed service area and issuance of off-premises catering permits, making permit the COVID-19 dining
option. Considers beverages that had a malt or brewed beverage alcohol level that was reduced during production
below 0.5% alcohol volume as nonalcoholic malt or brewed beverages. Prohibits licensees from placing beer, malt
beverages, or wine directly next to non-alcoholic beverages containing the same or similar brand name or logo and
requires signage. Allows importing distributors or distributors to sell or rent items to other licensees at fair market
value, including the rental and supplies to dispense draft beer. Establishes the Distilled Spirits Industry Promotion
Board under the Department of Agriculture and moves the Pennsylvania Malt and Brewed Beverages Industry
Promotional Board and Pennsylvania Wine Marketing and research Program Board from the PLCB to the
Department of Agriculture. Provides clubs an additional year of safekeeping for a fee and allows clubs to get a
permit for extended food sales hours. Increases the cap of point-of-sale advertising items from $300 to $750.
Provides for an extended hours of operation permit issued by the Liquor Control Board for manufacturers, limited
distilleries, and distilleries to sell alcohol on New Year’s Eve. AMENDED, MOVED TO THRID CONSIDERATION AND
RE-REFERRED TO APPRORIATIONS.
A05284 (SANTARSIERO) Allows limited wineries to advertise quantity discounts to the general public.
ADOPTED 47-2.
Executive Nominations
Brigadier General, Pennsylvania Air National Guard, Scott D. Harron CONFIRMED 47-1
Brigadier General, Pennsylvania Air National Guard, Lynn M. Lee CONFIRMED 47-1
Brigadier General, Pennsylvania Air National Guard, Brian K. Lehew CONFIRMED 47-1
Brigadier General, Pennsylvania Air National Guard, Jaime E. Ramirez CONFIRMED 47-1
Brigadier General, Pennsylvania Air National Guard, Traci Wallace CONFIRMED 47-1
Brigadier General, Pennsylvania Army National Guard, Frank J. McGovern, IV CONFIRMED 47-1
Brigadier General, Pennsylvania Army National Guard, Francis R. Montgomery CONFIRMED 47-1
Brigadier General, Pennsylvania Army National Guard, Shawn D. Wray CONFIRMED 47-1
Major General, Pennsylvania Army National Guard, John R. Pippy CONFIRMED 47-1
Pennsylvania Parole Board, Martin J. Pane CONFIRMED 47-1
Pennsylvania Parole Board, Christian M. Stephens CONFIRMED 47-1
Workers’ Compensation Appeal Board, Alexander W. Brown CONFIRMED 47-1
Workers’ Compensation Appeal Board, Alfonso Frioni, Jr. CONFIRMED 47-1
Workers’ Compensation Appeal Board, William I. Gabig CONFIRMED 47-1
Workers’ Compensation Appeal Board, Robert A. Krebs CONFIRMED 47-1
Workers’ Compensation Appeal Board, Joseph A. Petrarca CONFIRMED 47-1
Workers’ Compensation Appeal Board, Catherine T. Surbeck CONFIRMED 47-1