Pennsylvania HB78: An Act providing for consumer data privacy, for duties of controllers and for duties of processors; and imposing penalties.

What the bill says

From the amended text, June 24, 2026:

SENATE AMENDED PRIOR PRINTER'S NOS. 65, 1024, 1476 PRINTER'S NO. 3688 THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE BILL No. Session of INTRODUCED BY NEILSON, SCIALABBA, HOWARD, MENTZER, LEADBETER, SANCHEZ, HILL-EVANS, GIRAL, FRANKEL, KHAN, ARMANINI, WARREN, FREEMAN, OTTEN, ZIMMERMAN, GILLEN, CIRESI, T. DAVIS, K. HARRIS, INGLIS, SCHLEGEL, SCOTT, M. BROWN, HANBIDGE, PIELLI AND MUNROE, JANUARY 14, 2025 SENATOR PENNYCUICK, COMMUNICATIONS AND TECHNOLOGY, IN SENATE, RE-REPORTED AS AMENDED, JUNE 24, 2026 Providing for consumer data privacy, for duties of controllers and for duties of processors; and imposing penalties. The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania hereby enacts as follows: Section 1. Short title. This act shall be known and may be cited as the Consumer Data Privacy Act. Section 2. Definitions. The following words and phrases when used in this act shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise: "Affiliate." A legal entity that shares common branding with another legal entity or controls, is controlled by or is under common control with another legal entity. "Biometric data." Data generated by automatic measurements of an individual's biological characteristics, including fingerprints, voiceprints, eye retinas, irises or other unique biological patterns or characteristics that are used to identify a specific individual. The term does not include a digital or physical photograph, an audio or video recording …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Ed Neilson (D, HD-174) · primary sponsor
• Stephenie Scialabba (R, 12)
• Kristine Howard (D, 167)
• Steven Mentzer (R, 97)
• Robert Leadbeter (R, 109)
• Benjamin Sanchez (D, 153)
• Carol Hill-Evans (D, 95)
• Jose Giral (D, 180)
• Dan Frankel (D, 23)
• Tarik Khan (D, 194)
• Michael Armanini (R, 75)
• Perry Warren (D, 31)

Latest actions

1. October 6, 2026: Removed from table, Oct. 6, 2026
2. October 6, 2026: Laid on the table, Oct. 6, 2026
3. June 25, 2026: Second consideration, June 25, 2026
4. June 24, 2026: First consideration, June 24, 2026
5. June 24, 2026: Re-reported as amended, June 24, 2026
6. February 4, 2026: Re-referred to COMMUNICATIONS AND TECHNOLOGY, Feb. 4, 2026
7. February 4, 2026: Reported as committed, Feb. 4, 2026
8. October 3, 2025: Referred to CONSUMER PROTECTION AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE, Oct. 3, 2025
9. October 3, 2025: In the Senate
10. October 1, 2025: (Remarks see House Journal Page 1397-1398), Oct. 1, 2025

Votes

• Senate Communications & Technology: Reported as Amended (June 24, 2026): 11 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Senate Communications & Technology: Adopt Amendment (June 24, 2026): 7 yea, 4 nay, passed
• Senate Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure: Reported as Committed (February 4, 2026): 14 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Third consideration and final passage, Oct. 1, 2025 (127-76) (October 1, 2025): 127 yea, 76 nay, passed
• House Appropriations: Re-report Bill As Committed (September 30, 2025): 36 yea, 0 nay, passed
• House Floor: HB0078, RC 136 (April 23, 2025): 203 yea, 0 nay, passed

Common questions

What is HB78?

HB78 is a bill in the Pennsylvania Legislature (2025-2026 Regular Session): An Act providing for consumer data privacy, for duties of controllers and for duties of processors; and imposing penalties.

What is the status of HB78?

Passed one chamber as of October 6, 2026. Latest action: Removed from table, Oct. 6, 2026 (October 6, 2026).

Who sponsored HB78?

Ed Neilson (D, HD-174), with 11 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for HB78?

On the Pennsylvania Legislature website: https://www.palegis.us/legislation/bills/2025/hb78