5 Major New Law Proposals In PA: Social Media, Abortions, Solar Power

HARRISBURG, PA — As the new legislative session gets underway, both the state House and Senate are considering a wide range of new measures that could change everyday life in Pennsylvania.

From social media bans and restrictions to new abortion laws, the spread of solar power, and more, here's a glance at what lawmakers are conceiving this session.

Banning TikTok

Legislators are moving forward in unanimous bipartisan fashion on a bill that would ban the controversial social media app TikTok from all state devices and networks.

The bill comes amid rising pressure from President Joe Biden's administration on TikTok, whose owners are tied to the Chinese government's ruling party, and increasing public attention to the app's distinct threats to national security.

“Our nation’s top law enforcement agencies and national defense officials agree that TikTok presents an unacceptable level of cyber espionage, collection of government data and is a threat to personal security,” Sen. Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-York), who sponsored the state Senate bill, said in a statement.

Phillips-Hill's bill was supported by all 11 members of the Senate Communications and Technology Committee. Various branches of the federal government have already banned the app, as well as the Pennsylvania Treasury Department.

"I applaud the bipartisan support on this measure so Pennsylvania’s government can best protect its information technology assets and resources, and, most importantly, ensure that data collected about Pennsylvania taxpayers is safeguarded from foreign adversaries," Phillips-Hill added.

Senate Bill 379 has now moved on to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for consideration. Given the bipartisan support it's enjoyed thus far, it's a good bet to reach Gov. Josh Shapiro's desk in short order.

The app is owned by the Beijing-based company ByteDance, which is closely connected to China's government. Critics are chiefly concerned with the possibility of the app sharing its data with China or other foreign interests that may be hostile to the United States. Such data could be used to gather intelligence or exert influence in various social and cultural spheres, particularly in future elections.

Location-based pay

Lawmakers are calling attention to pay disparities based on location in state agencies, noting that low salaries in comparison to the cost-of-living is keeping top talent away.

The greater Philadelphia area, particularly, has far higher cost of living than the rest of the state, and because pay is not adjusted, state agencies have struggled to attract the best candidates, according to lawmakers.

"Specifically, my resolution will direct the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to study and make recommendations on implementing location-based pay for state government employees," State Rep. Chris Pielli said in a statement.

California, New York, and the federal government have already established location-based pay.

Holding Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok accountable for hate speech

As the reckoning over social media companies continues, lawmakers are looking to hold corporations accountable for monitoring hate speech on their own platforms.

"Advances in open communication can come at a cost," State Rep. Darisha K. Parker said in a statement.

A new bill would require the companies to keep "effective and transparent" complaint procedures for reporting hate speech. Users must have an easy way to report issues.

"Persons who are emboldened by the anonymity of social media platforms to spew hate cannot be tolerated," Parker added.

Abortion and health insurance

Democrats in the General Assembly are pushing to change the language in existing state law in order to allow abortions to be covered under health insurance.

"Under current Pennsylvania law, abortions may only be covered under Commonwealth employee insurance plans in the case of life endangerment, rape, or incest," State Rep. Melissa Shusterman said. "Abortion is health care, the Commonwealth prohibiting coverage of a basic health care procedure is antithetical to the point of health insurance."

The bill would amend Article 18 of the Abortion Control Act to lift restrictions on public funds for abortions, while also lifting similar restrictions in the law's Human Services Code.

The bill will face an uphill battle to passage in a divided house and a Republican-heavy Senate, where most in the GOP have drawn a hard line on abortion-related issues.

Solar energy in Pennsylvania schools

A new initiative called the Pennsylvania Solar for Schools Grant Program could soon fund solar energy assessments at schools to assess potential savings, while also issuing grants for new solar projects.

Aside from the obvious environmental benefits, solar is more affordable, and allows school districts to reallocate money elsewhere.

"Solar-generated electricity is already the cheapest electricity in history, and in states that support the transition to solar, schools districts and public universities are already benefiting from adopting solar technology," State Sens. Vincent J. Hughes and Carolyn T. Comitta wrote in a co-sponsorship memorandum. "With the savings, local governments can reduce the tax burden, schools can invest in more teachers, and universities can reduce tuition costs. In addition to all those benefits, solar schools projects have immense local benefits: reducing carbon emissions and creating family-sustaining jobs."

The legislation would also create new jobs for solar projects, officials noted.