Legislative Update

Pennsylvania established its own online health insurance exchange (the “New Exchange”) under Act 42 of 2019 (the Act”) to deliver premium savings to Pennsylvanians who seek health insurance from the exchange previously operated by the federal government (the “Federal Exchange”). That Federal Exchange has served about 400,000 Pennsylvanians who purchase policies compliant the Affordable Health Care Act (“AHCA”) through Healthcare.gov. The Governor’s Office […]

The Pennsylvania General Assembly recently amended codes for Boroughs, Townships of the First Class and Incorporated Towns (“2018 Municipalities”) to authorize sales of personal property having a value less than $2,000 without advertising for and receiving bids and awarding the sale to the highest bidder (the “2018 Amendments”). The 2018 Amendments are important because they

                S.B. 877 (“Insurance Department Act”) and S.B. 878 (“Insurance Company Act”) amend The  Insurance Department Act of 1921 and The Insurance Company Law of 1921, respectively, to authorize producers and companies to give to insureds or prospective insureds rebates or other things of value not exceeding $100 in the aggregate annually that are not

Pennsylvania joined a majority of states in adopting an exception to our Open Meetings Law known as the Sunshine Act that permits the state, municipalities and school districts to discuss security measures without public access. Senate Bill 1078 of 2018 (the “Exception Act”) was sponsored by Senator Robert (Tommy)Tomlinson (R-Bucks).  This exception to open meetings

Pennsylvania has attacked welfare fraud by increasing penalties against merchants and vendors who traffic in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (“SNAP”) benefits under Senate Bill 1127 of 2018, now known as Act 160 (the “Act”). The Act was sponsored by Senator Judith L. Schwank (D-Berks) and Senator Ryan Aument (R-36) who introduced it at the request

Pennsylvania House Bill 1918, now known as Act 60 of 2018 (the “Act”), criminalizes the use, sale, possession and delivery of electronic devices capable of stealing electronic information from credit and debit cards (“Theft Devices”). Previously, theft devices known as skimmers and shimmers have been available for sale on the internet for less than $100.

Pennsylvania has joined 7 other states in streamlining the process for creditors foreclosing on mortgages of vacant and abandoned properties with the goal of reducing blight in communities. Act No. 32 of 2018, known as the Vacant and Abandoned Real Estate Foreclosure Act (the “Act”) was introduced as House Bill No. 653 by Representative Kurt

PENNSYLVANIA AMENDS LAW OF PROFESSIONAL AND OCCUPATIONAL AFFAIRS   Senate Bill No. 354, now known as Act No. 6 of 2018 (the Amendment”),  amends  Act No. 48 of 1993 (the “Act”) regarding licensure hearings by the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs (the “Bureau”) to require self-reporting of events impacting professional licensure and to authorize