Pennsylvania HB 1291: An Act amending Title 45 (Legal Notices) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in general provisions, further providing for definitions; in legal advertising, further providing for level of advertising rates, for effect of failure to advertise when required and for no unauthorized advertisements to be published and providing for publication in newspapers of general circulation; and making editorial changes.

Bill Text

PRIOR PRINTER'S NO. 1466 PRINTER'S NO. 2880
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 1291
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY FREEMAN, KUZMA, MADDEN, GIRAL, HILL-EVANS,
SANCHEZ, HADDOCK, NEILSON, KINKEAD, DAVIDSON, MALAGARI,
BIZZARRO, GILLEN, MADSEN, BOROWSKI, VENKAT, PROBST, CEPEDA-
FREYTIZ, HANBIDGE, WAXMAN, HARKINS, SAMUELSON AND SCOTT,
APRIL 23, 2025
AS REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT, HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES, AS AMENDED, FEBRUARY 4, 2026
AN ACT
Amending Title 45 (Legal Notices) of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes, in general provisions, further
providing for definitions; in legal advertising, further
providing for level of advertising rates, FOR EFFECT OF
FAILURE TO ADVERTISE WHEN REQUIRED and for no unauthorized
advertisements to be published and providing for publication
in newspapers of general circulation; and making editorial
changes.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The title heading, section 101(a), Chapter 3
heading and sections 303, 307 and 310 of Title 45 of the
Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes are amended to read:
TITLE 45
LEGAL NOTICES AND PUBLIC NOTICES
§ 101. Definitions.
(a) Definitions applicable to printing or newspaper
advertising laws.--Subject to additional definitions contained
in subsequent provisions of this title which are applicable to
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specific provisions of this title, the following words and
phrases when used in:
(1) this title; or
(2) any other law relating to printing or newspaper
advertising;
shall have, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the
meanings given to them in this subsection:
"Advertisement." A [printed] legal notice or public notice,
relating to any matter, authorized by any person, which is
published for a valuable consideration in a publication, and
which may be required by law, rule, order, or decree of court,
or resolution of any corporation, or unincorporated association,
or by action of any government unit.
"Advertiser." Any person who orders and directs a notice or
advertisement to be [printed or] published in a publication.
["Advertising rule." The line between, or which separates,
any two advertisements or notices.
"Agate." A type 5 1/2 type points in depth or height.
"Bourgeois." A type 9 type points in depth or height.
"Brevier." A type 8 type points in depth or height.]
"Carrier." A person engaged for hire in the delivery of
publications.
"Circulation." The number of copies printed, issued, sold,
or subscribed for, by the day, week, month, or year, at a
particular price for each [copy] issue, or for a series of
issues over a definite period by any publication, but the term
does not include [copies] issues exchanged for other
publications or copies or issues circulated gratuitously.
"Classified advertising." Intelligence or notices, published
[and printed in small or inconspicuous type,] as advertising,
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classed with similar notices of advertising, and for which
compensation is intended to be charged.
"Class magazine" or "class newspaper." A [printed] paper or
publication containing class, professional, trade, commercial,
technical, scientific, educational, religious, financial, legal
or other matter and intelligence, intended to be disseminated
exclusively among subscribers or readers concerned or interested
in the subject matters published.
["Column." A single unit or upright section, of the total
height of the type printed page, as separated from the remainder
of the page by a line, rule, or space, and not less than ten ems
pica in width.
"Column rule." The printed line between, or which separates,
the printed columns of any type page.]
"Continuous publication." A publication that is accomplished
on a regular basis according to the respective requirements
established for a digital newspaper, free newspaper, online-only
newspaper and printed newspaper. The term shall not be deemed
interrupted by any involuntary suspension of publication
resulting from the loss, destruction, failure or unavailability
of operating facilities, software, hardware, equipment or
personnel from whatever cause, and any newspaper so affected
shall not be disqualified to publish legal notices and public
notices in the event that publication is resumed within one week
after it again becomes possible.
"Court." A court or tribunal of record, established for the
public administration of justice under the provisions of the
Constitution of Pennsylvania or any statute.
"Daily newspaper." A newspaper regularly published at least
[five] two days in the week[, either including or excluding
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Sundays and legal holidays].
"Decree." A decision, judgment, order or sentence of any
court.
"Digital newspaper." A newspaper delivered in