State Legislation

Transitioning to Electric School Buses (SB 1542 actual text) This bill would establish a grant program to help schools transition from diesel or gasoline-run buses to electric, including funds for charging stations and infrastructure, procurement and maintenance of electric-powered school buses, administrative costs, and more.

Off-Road Vehicles in the City of Philadelphia (HB 1338 actual text) This bill would allow local ordinances to supersede state law regulating All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) within urban municipalities. It is specifically aimed at allowing cities to have stronger prohibitions on those who drive ATVs on public roads.

Renewing and Expanding Automated Enforcement Programs (HB 1284 actual text) 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) This bill amends the Vehicles Code in PA to  further provide for enforcement of not stopping for a school bus with red lights flashing. This bill has become law. See Act 19 of 2023.

Hazardous Student Walking Routes (HB 576 actual text) This bill requires the creation of online and paper forms for people to use to request that a school district get an official evaluation of a potentially hazardous walking route.

Protecting Children by Enforcing School Zone Speed Limits (SB 120 actual text) This bill would provide for enforcement of speed limits in a school zone during school hours regardless of whether or not students can walk to/from school.

ENHANCED DRIVER RESPONSIBILITY (while operating an interactive wireless communication device) (SB 37 actual text) 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.

Protecting Pennsylvanians and Good Faith Firearms Dealers (HB 1852 actual text) This bill would require certain actions from firearms sales, sets expectations for the duty of PA State Police, sets additional licensing standards for firearm dealers,  requires security cameras to be used by firearms dealers, and other requirements.

Protecting Children from Accidental Firearm Injuries and Deaths (HB 1621 actual text) This bill would require the safe storage of firearms in homes where children may be present, and impose certain penalties.

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

Drug Take Back and Disposal by Pharmacies (HB 818 actual text) This bill would require the State Board of Pharmacy to encourage and recommend collection sites at pharmacies for controlled substances and medications. It would also establish funds to support these efforts.

Safe Storage Requirements for Long Guns (HB 731 actual text) This bill would require a locking device to accompany all firearm sales to ensure the likelihood of safe storage.

Carbon Monoxide Alarm Standards in Child Care Facilities  (SB 205 actual text) This bill sets standards for CO Alarms in child care facilities. (See also SB 208, which would provide the same in schools.)

Universal Background Checks (SB 60 actual text) This bill eliminates most exceptions to the requirement of a background check prior to firearm purchase or transfer. Familial transfers will still be excluded from that requirement.

Requiring a Firearms Safety or Training Course as a Condition of Obtaining a Concealed Carry Permit (SB 56 actual text) This bill would require a safety course prior to issuance of a concealed carry permit by updating the application process for a concealed carry permit. It also provides a list of resources for firearm owners to use to demonstrate competency.

3D-Printed Firearms and Undetectable Firearms (SB 48 actual text) This bill includes 3D-printed firearms under the standard definition of ‘firearm’ and makes it illegal to use a 3D printer to print a firearm without a specific license. (See also SB 49, which provides for parts of a firearm.)

Weapons in Public Parks (SB 53 actual text) This bill prohibits people from knowingly possessing firearms or other dangerous weapons in public recreation areas, with some exceptions.

Playground Safety Act (HB 1443 actual text) This bill would require the Department of Community and Economic Development to adopt regulations that would establish safety standards for playgrounds operated by Pennsylvania schools and approved child-care facilities. It also would establish a Statewide Advisory Council on Playground Safety.

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) 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.

Carbon Monoxide Alarms Standards -2013 (SB 607 actual text) (2013 Act 121) This legislation provides standards for carbon monoxide alarms in different settings and imposes penalties.

Safety in Youth Sports -2011 (SB 200 actual text) (2011 Act 101) This legislation establishes standards for managing concussions and traumatic brain injuries for student athletes.

Teen Driving -2011 (HB 9 actual text) (2011 Act 81) This legislation limits the number of passengers that can be in a car with a teen driver and provides various other regulations and restrictions relating to junior drivers.