PA Unplugged Legislation Tracker

Requires every school entity to adopt a bell-to-bell mobile device policy by the 2027–28 school year that prohibits use during the school day and restricts possession, while letting each district choose the manner of restriction. Mirrors SB1014, with the same exceptions — documented medical need, IEP/504 accommodations, English-learner translation, and teacher-approved educational use — and a good-faith liability shield for schools that take possession of devices. Passed the House 126-75 on June 1, 2026; now in the Senate Education Committee.

Requires all PA public schools to adopt a bell-to-bell phone-free policy by 2027–28. Covers the entire school day including lunch and recess. Schools choose the method (pouches, lockers, etc.) but must restrict possession, not just use. Exceptions for medical needs, IEPs, and English language learners. Passed the Senate 46-1.

Establishes safety requirements for AI companionship applications (like Character.ai and Replika) with penalties for noncompliance. Targets the risks these apps pose to minors, including emotional manipulation and inappropriate content. Sponsored by Rep. Melissa Shusterman.

Strengthens Pennsylvania's laws against nonconsensual distribution of intimate images by amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses). Builds on the state's existing deepfake laws (Act 125 of 2024 and Act 35 of 2025) to further protect victims of image-based sexual abuse. Sponsored by Rep. Emily Kinkead with co-sponsors including Reps. Lindsay Powell, MaryLouise Isaacson, and Carol Hill-Evans. Referred to Judiciary Committee.

Establishes a temporary prohibition on AI chatbots embedded in children's toys and imposes penalties for violations. Aimed at limiting unsupervised, open-ended AI conversation with young children through connected toys.

Creates the criminal offense of digital forgery: producing or distributing an AI-generated deepfake of a person's image, voice, or likeness with intent to defraud or injure. Introduced by Sens. Pennycuick and Kane; signed into law as Act 35 of 2025 on July 7, 2025.

The Stopping Harmful Image Exploitation and Likeness Deception Act. Bans developing or operating AI "nudification" apps in Pennsylvania and prohibits app stores from offering them. App stores must provide a notice portal and remove reported nudification apps within five days. Exempts general-purpose editing tools and detection/removal services. Enforced by the Attorney General and district attorneys, with civil penalties up to $100,000 per unlawful download. Sponsored by Sen. Tracy Pennycuick with 12 co-sponsors.

Senate companion to HB1098 (Alicia's Law). Strengthens Pennsylvania's Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Program under PCCD, funding the task forces that investigate and prosecute technology-facilitated child exploitation. Sponsored by Sen. Devlin Robinson.

Named for Alicia Kozakiewicz, who was abducted by an internet predator at age 13. Establishes an ICAC (Internet Crimes Against Children) program within PCCD, funded by grants for state and local task forces to investigate and prosecute technology-facilitated child exploitation. Supplements existing federal ICAC funding.

Rep. Danielle Friel Otten's bill requiring all PA public schools — K through 12 — to provide at least 30 minutes of recess and 30 minutes for lunch every school day. Its core K-5 recess mandate was enacted through the 2026–27 state budget; the bill's broader provisions remain pending.

Amends child abuse and neglect definitions so that parents aren't penalized for allowing age-appropriate independence — such as walking to school, playing outside unsupervised, or babysitting. Requires prosecutors to show willful or reckless disregard for obvious danger, not just a child being unsupervised. Aims to curb CPS overreach that disproportionately impacts non-white and working families.

Requires PA public schools to provide social media literacy education. Covers topics such as algorithmic manipulation, data privacy, identifying misinformation, and healthy digital habits. Sponsored by Rep. Jim Prokopiak with 14 co-sponsors.