Pennsylvania SR 244: A Resolution directing the Joint State Government Commission to establish the Task Force on Child Protection in the Digital Age.

Bill Text

PRIOR PRINTER'S NO. 1496 PRINTER'S NO. 1691
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No. 244
Session of
2026
INTRODUCED BY PENNYCUICK, LANGERHOLC, MARTIN, TARTAGLIONE,
BARTOLOTTA, ROBINSON, STEFANO, J. WARD, VOGEL, SCHWANK,
PICOZZI, MALONE, BROOKS, BAKER AND FARRY, MARCH 12, 2026
SENATOR PENNYCUICK, COMMUNICATIONS AND TECHNOLOGY, AS AMENDED,
MAY 6, 2026
A RESOLUTION
Directing the Joint State Government Commission to establish the
Task Force on Child Protection in the Digital Age.
WHEREAS, Technology is evolving at a pace that is leaving
gaps in existing statutory framework to protect children online;
and
WHEREAS, Advances in artificial intelligence, social media
platforms, algorithm-driven content and digital manipulation
have created new and increasingly sophisticated risks to minors,
including exploitation, exposure to harmful content and
psychological harm; and
WHEREAS, The General Assembly has taken meaningful steps in
recent legislative sessions to address issues such as deepfakes,
child sexual abuse material and online safety; and
WHEREAS, There is a need to continually reevaluate our laws
to ensure that they are updated to protect children; and
WHEREAS, Establishing a reoccurring Task Force on Child
Protection in the Digital Age ensures that Pennsylvania's laws
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keep pace with the digital age and that our statutes and
policies are continually reevaluated, updated and strengthened
to protect children; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate direct the Joint State Government
Commission to establish the Task Force on Child Protection in
the Digital Age; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Task Force on Child Protection in the
Digital Age consist of:
(1) the Attorney General of Pennsylvania or a designee,
who shall serve as chairperson;
(2) the Commissioner of Pennsylvania State Police or a
designee who must be an employee of the Pennsylvania State
Police;
(3) the Chairperson EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR of the
Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency or a
designee who must be an employee of the Pennsylvania
Commission on Crime and Delinquency;
(4) the Victim Advocate from the Office of Victim
Advocate or a designee who must be an employee of the Office
of Victim Advocate;
(5) a member of law enforcement who has experience in
investigations of child sexual abuse material or sexual abuse
of children, appointed by the Attorney General;
(6) a district attorney in this Commonwealth who has
experience in prosecutions related to child sexual abuse
material or sexual abuse of children, appointed by the
Attorney General;
(7) a member of the Pennsylvania Internet Crimes Against
Children Task Force, appointed by the Attorney General;
(8) the director of a rape crisis center in this
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Commonwealth or a designee, appointed by the Attorney
General;
(9) one representative of a children's advocacy center
that assists in the investigation, prosecution and treatment
of child sexual abuse and physical abuse cases, appointed by
the Attorney General;
(10) a medical professional that specializes in the
field of child sexual abuse, appointed by the Attorney
General;
(11) three members appointed by the Attorney General who
have experience in investigations or prosecutions of child
abuse or sexual abuse of children, have experience in the
treatment of victims of child abuse or sexual abuse of
children, have experience in the prevention of child abuse or
sexual abuse of children or are victims of child abuse or
sexual abuse of children; an CHILDREN;
(12) ONE MEMBER WITH EXPERIENCE IN THE INVESTIGATION OR
PROSECUTION OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING OF MINORS OR WHO OTHERWISE
HAS EXPERIENCE IN THE PREVENTION OR DETECTION OF HUMAN
TRAFFICKING OF MINORS, AS APPOINTED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL;
(13) ONE MEMBER OF THE PENNSYLVANIA SEXUAL OFFENDERS
ASSESSMENT BOARD, AS APPOINTED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL;
(14) ONE MEMBER WITH DEMONSTRATED EXPERTISE IN DIGITAL
TECHNOLOGY AND ONLINE SAFETY, PARTICULARLY AS IT RELATES TO
THE EXPLOITATION OF MINORS, AS APPOINTED BY THE ATTORNEY
GENERAL;
(15) THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE PENNSYLVANIA
COMMISSION ON SENTENCING OR A DESIGNEE WHO MUST BE AN
EMPLOYEE OF THE PENNSYLVANIA COMMISSION ON SENTENCING; AND
(12) (16) additional members necessary to carry out the
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duties of the Task Force as deemed necessary and appointed by
the Attorney General;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That individuals appointed by the Attorney General
shall serve until submission of the next comprehensive report
following appointment, unless reappointed by the Attorney
General; and BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED, That the Task Force on Child Protection in the
Digital Age conduct comprehensive reviews to ascertain
inadequacies in State statutes relating to advancements in
technolog