State Legislation

Enhancing the Safe Transportation of School Children (SB 65 actual text) This Senate bill would extend the stopping distance requirement from 10 feet to 15 feet before reaching the school bus when the red signal lights are flashing, and the side stop arm is activated. Further, it develops a tiered penalty system for a second or subsequent offense.

Parking-Protected Bicycle Lanes (HB 291 actual text) This House bill would authorize municipalities to create parking-protected bicycle lanes between curbs and parked vehicles, essentially providing bicyclists with a dedicated lane away from vehicular traffic.

Educating Our New Drivers on Safe Driving Habits in Work Zones(HB 257 actual text) This House bill would require PennDOT to include information relating to safe driving practices in work zones along with related penalties. Under this bill PennDOT would have to ensure that potential new drivers have reviewed this critically important information and would have to include at least one question relating to safe driving in work zones in a driver’s license examination.

3-D Printed and Undetectable Firearms (SB 42 actual text; SB 43 actual text)This legislation will be a reintroduction of Senate Bill 49 from last session. These Senate bills would ensure that 3-D printed firearms are subject to the Uniform Firearm Act and legally considered a firearm for purposes of Title 18. In addition, these Senate bills would prohibit anyone from printing a firearm without a license from the Federal Government, to order or manufacture firearms, and they also provide definitions for firearms under the Uniform Firearm Act. 

Weapons in Public Parks (SB 39 actual text) This Senate bill would prohibit the possession of a firearm or other dangerous weapon in a public recreation area. A public recreation area would be defined as a park, recreation center, or pool owned or operated by a political subdivision.

Drug Take Back and Disposal by Pharmacies (HB 442 actual text) This House bill would require the State Board of Pharmacy to educate and recommend to pharmacies their ability to modify their registration of collections sites with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration. 

Carbon Monoxide Alarms in Schools (SB 259 actual text) This Senate bill would require a working carbon monoxide alarm in schools, including public schools, nonpublic schools, charter schools, regional charter schools, and cyber charter schools. 

Carbon Monoxide Alarms in Childcare Facilities (SB 256 actual text) (HB 156, formerly HB 494, actual text) These Senate and House bills would require a working carbon monoxide alarm in all childcare facilities including a boarding home for children, a childcare center, and a nursery school that is licensed and regulated by the Commonwealth. 

Requiring AEDs at School Athletic Events (HB 191 actual text) This bill would require an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) at athletic events, as well as training for employees and volunteers in using AEDs and CPR.

Snowmobile and ATV Safety Testing for Minors (HB 121 actual text) This bill would require an exam for a safety certificate for minors under the age of 16.

Allowing Recycled Materials in Stuffed Toys (HB 1333 actual text) (2024 Act 30) This legislation updates a 1960s bill to allow for certain materials to be (re)used for stuffed toys.

ENHANCED DRIVER RESPONSIBILITY (while operating an interactive wireless communication device) (SB 37 actual text) (2024 Act 18) This bill would prohibit the use of hand-held interactive wireless communications devices (cellular phones and similar items) while operating a  vehicle on the roadways in PA, and provides for penalties. It is aimed at reducing distracted driving.

Renewing and Expanding Automated Enforcement Programs (HB 1284 actual text) (2023 Act 38) This bill would make various changes to PA’s automated enforcement programs, and would impact current law that authorizes school districts to use automated school bus stop-arm cameras. It also establishes a five-year pilot program for speed cameras in active school zones in Philadelphia.

Enforcement of failure to stop for school bus with flashing red lights (SB 851 actual text) (2023 Act 19) This bill amends the Vehicles Code in PA to  further provide for enforcement of not stopping for a school bus with red lights flashing.

Forfeiture and Disposal of All-Terrain Vehicles and Dirt Bikes Operated Illegally on Public Roadways in Third Class Cities and Boroughs (S 1183 actual text) (2022 Act 92) This bill prohibits the operation of ATVs or dirt bikes on any part of the highway, sidewalks, and/or a pedalcycle lane within urban municipalities (except for crossing them) and provides penalties for various offenses.

Improving Newborn Health Screenings -2020 (SB 983 actual text) (2020 Act 133) This legislation expands regulations around newborn health screenings so that previously “optional” screenings are now required, and establishes follow-up protocols as well. This bill was signed by the Governor in November 2020, but will not take effect until May 2021.

Enforcement of Failure to Stop for School Bus and Allowing Visual Signals on Authorized Vehicles -2020 (HB 364 actual text) (2020 Act 38) This legislation amended current law to provide penalties for drivers who do not stop for school buses with flashing red lights, and also allows flashing yellow lights on applicable school vehicles (not buses).

Maternal Mortality Review Committee -2018 (HB 1869 actual text) (2018 Act 24) This legislation established the Maternal Mortality Review Committee within the Department of Health.

Updating the State’s Restrictions on All-Terrain Vehicles Relating to Youth Riders -2016 (HB 1703 actual text) (2016 Act 136) Based on model legislation from the Specialty Vehicle Institute of America, this legislation updated the regulations around ATVs by specifying that ATV drivers must obey the age recommendations on the warning labels of the ATV, which are based on speed capacity.

Rear-Facing Child Seats -2016 (SB 1152 actual text) (2016 Act 43) This legislation mandated that children under the age of two are to be restrained in rear-facing seats while riding in vehicles.