Pennsylvania HB 1655: An Act amending Title 4 (Amusements) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in fantasy contests, further providing for definitions and for general and specific powers of board; in general provisions relating to gaming, further providing for definitions; in fingerprinting, further providing for submission of fingerprints and photographs; in general provisions relating to video gaming, further providing for definitions; and, in administration, further providing for powers of board.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 2009
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 1655
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY HARKINS, CONKLIN, GIRAL AND HILL-EVANS,
JUNE 24, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON GAMING OVERSIGHT, JUNE 24, 2025
AN ACT
Amending Title 4 (Amusements) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
Statutes, in fantasy contests, further providing for
definitions and for general and specific powers of board; in
general provisions relating to gaming, further providing for
definitions; in fingerprinting, further providing for
submission of fingerprints and photographs; in general
provisions relating to video gaming, further providing for
definitions; and, in administration, further providing for
powers of board.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The definition of "applicant" in section 302 of
Title 4 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes is amended to
read:
§ 302. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this chapter
shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Applicant." A person who, on his own behalf or on behalf of
another, is applying for [permission to engage in any act or
activity which is regulated under the provisions of]
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registration or a permit, certification, license, qualification,
renewal or other credential issued by the board under this
chapter. If the applicant is a person other than an individual,
the board shall determine the associated persons whose
qualifications are necessary as a precondition to the licensing
of the applicant.
* * *
Section 2. Section 311(b)(7.1) and (7.2) of Title 4 are
amended to read:
§ 311. General and specific powers of board.
* * *
(b) Specific powers.--The board shall have the following
specific powers:
* * *
(7.1) [To require prospective and existing employees,
independent contractors, applicants and licensees to submit
to fingerprinting by the Pennsylvania State Police or an
authorized agent of the Pennsylvania State Police. The
Pennsylvania State Police or authorized agent of the
Pennsylvania State Police shall submit the fingerprints to
the Federal Bureau of Investigation for purposes or verifying
the identity of the individual and obtaining records of
criminal arrests and convictions.] In order to ensure the
integrity of gaming-related activities in this Commonwealth,
to require criminal history record checks for an individual
who is a prospective employee, existing employee, independent
contractor, applicant or licensee and seeks registration or a
permit, certification, license, qualification, renewal or
other credential issued by the board under this chapter. The
following shall apply:
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(i) The individual must submit a full set of
fingerprints to the Pennsylvania State Police.
(ii) The Pennsylvania State Police shall check the
fingerprints of the individual against records in the
Pennsylvania State Police central repository for the
purpose of obtaining a current record of any criminal
arrests and convictions.
(iii) The Pennsylvania State Police shall submit the
fingerprints of the individual to the Federal Bureau of
Investigation for the purpose of verifying the identity
of the individual and obtaining a current record of any
criminal arrests and convictions.
(iv) The Pennsylvania State Police shall forward the
results of the criminal history record check to the board
for the sole purpose of determining the individual 's
eligibility for the registration, permit, certification,
license, renewal or other qualification. The board may
not disseminate the criminal history record check
information to any other entity.
(7.2) To require prospective and existing employees of
the board, independent contractors of the board, applicants
and licensees to submit photographs consistent with the
standards established by the board.
* * *
Section 3. The definition of "applicant" in section 1103 of
Title 4 is amended to read:
§ 1103. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this part shall
have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
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* * *
"Applicant." [Any] A person who, on his own behalf or on
behalf of another, is applying for [permission to engage in any
act or activity which is regulated under the provisions of]
registration or a permit, certification, license, qualification,
renewal or other credential issued by the board under this part.
In cases in which the applicant is a person other than an
individual, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board shall
determine the associated persons whose qualifications are
necessary as a precondition to the licensing of the applicant.
* * *
Section 4. Section 1802 of Title 4 is amend