Pennsylvania HB 2551: An Act amending the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.177, No.175), known as The Administrative Code of 1929, in powers and duties in general, providing for certain text-based communications prohibited.

Bill Text

PRIOR PRINTER'S NOS. 3460, 3556 PRINTER'S NO. 3653
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 2551
Session of
2026
INTRODUCED BY ISAACSON, NEILSON, CEPEDA-FREYTIZ, CURRY, DONAHUE,
FRIEL, GUZMAN, HILL-EVANS, HOHENSTEIN, KINKEAD, KUZMA,
MARCELL, MAZZOCCO, McNEILL, MERSKI, PARKER, PROBST, SCHWEYER,
SHUSTERMAN, SMITH-WADE-EL, STAMBAUGH, D. WILLIAMS AND WARREN,
MAY 28, 2026
AS AMENDED ON SECOND CONSIDERATION, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
JUNE 22, 2026
AN ACT
Amending the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.177, No.175), entitled
"An act providing for and reorganizing the conduct of the
executive and administrative work of the Commonwealth by the
Executive Department thereof and the administrative
departments, boards, commissions, and officers thereof,
including the boards of trustees of State Normal Schools, or
Teachers Colleges; abolishing, creating, reorganizing or
authorizing the reorganization of certain administrative
departments, boards, and commissions; defining the powers and
duties of the Governor and other executive and administrative
officers, and of the several administrative departments,
boards, commissions, and officers; fixing the salaries of the
Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and certain other executive
and administrative officers; providing for the appointment of
certain administrative officers, and of all deputies and
other assistants and employes in certain departments, boards,
and commissions; providing for judicial administration; and
prescribing the manner in which the number and compensation
of the deputies and all other assistants and employes of
certain departments, boards and commissions shall be
determined," in powers and duties in general, providing for
certain text-based communications prohibited.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.177, No.175), known
as The Administrative Code of 1929, is amended by adding a
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section to read:
Section 531. Certain Text-Based Communications Prohibited.--
(a) A Commonwealth agency may not use a text-based
communication to collect, or notify an individual about, an
unpaid fine, fee, toll or other charge payable to the
Commonwealth agency unless the agency has the explicit consent
of the individual or the agency is providing free information to
inform the recipient of the text of Commonwealth services that
can benefit the recipient.
(b) As used in this section, the following words and phrases
shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection unless
the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Commonwealth agency." As defined under section 102 of the
act of October 15, 1980 (P.L.950, No.164), known as the
"Commonwealth Attorneys Act."
"Interactive mobile device." As defined in 75 Pa.C.S. § 102
(relating to definitions).
"INTERACTIVE MOBILE DEVICE." A HANDHELD WIRELESS TELEPHONE,
PERSONAL DIGITAL ASSISTANT, SMART PHONE, PORTABLE OR MOBILE
COMPUTER OR SIMILAR DEVICE WHICH CAN BE USED FOR VOICE
COMMUNICATION, TEXTING, EMAILING, BROWSING THE INTERNET, INSTANT
MESSAGING, PLAYING GAMES, TAKING OR TRANSMITTING IMAGES,
RECORDING OR BROADCASTING VIDEOS, CREATING OR SHARING SOCIAL
MEDIA OR OTHERWISE SENDING OR RECEIVING ELECTRONIC DATA.
"Text-based communication." A text message, instant message ,
social media message or other written communication composed or
received on an interactive mobile device. The term does not
include electronic mail.
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
20260HB2551PN3653 - 2 -
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