Pennsylvania HB1315: An Act amending Title 54 (Names) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in judicial change of name, further providing for court approval required for change of name.

What the bill says

Amending Title 54 (Names) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in judicial change of name, further providing for court approval required for change of name.

From the introduced text, April 28, 2025:

Amending Title 54 (Names) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in judicial change of name, further providing for court approval required for change of name. The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania hereby enacts as follows: Section 1. Section 701(a.1) of Title 54 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes is amended to read: § 701. Court approval required for change of name. * * * (a.1) Procedure.-- (1) An individual must file a petition in the court of common pleas of the county in which the individual resides. If a petitioner is married, the petitioner's spouse may join as a party petitioner, in which event, upon compliance with the provisions of this subsection, the spouse shall also be entitled to the benefits of this subsection. (2) The petition must set forth all of the following: (i) The intention to change the petitioner's name. (ii) The reason for the name change. (iii) The current residence of petitioner. (iv) Any residence of the petitioner for the five years prior to the date of the petition. (v) If the petitioner requests the court proceed under paragraph (3)(iii) or (iv). (3) Upon filing of the petition, the court shall do all of the following: (i) Set a date for a hearing on the petition. The hearing shall be held not less than one month nor …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Benjamin Sanchez (D, 153) · primary sponsor
• Nancy Guenst (D, 152)
• Carol Hill-Evans (D, 95)
• Joshua Siegel (D, 22)
• Benjamin Waxman (D, 182)
• Joseph Hohenstein (D, 177)
• Christopher Rabb (D, 200)
• Dan Frankel (D, 23)
• Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz (D, 129)
• Tarik Khan (D, 194)
• Dan Williams (D, 74)
• La'Tasha Mayes (D, 24)

Latest actions

1. March 19, 2026: Laid on the table, March 19, 2026
2. March 19, 2026: First consideration, March 19, 2026
3. March 19, 2026: Reported as committed, March 19, 2026
4. April 28, 2025: Referred to JUDICIARY, April 28, 2025

Votes

• House Judiciary: Report Bill As Committed (March 10, 2026): 14 yea, 12 nay, passed

Common questions

What is HB1315?

HB1315 is a bill in the Pennsylvania Legislature (2025-2026 Regular Session): An Act amending Title 54 (Names) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in judicial change of name, further providing for court approval required for change of name.

What does HB1315 do?

In its own words: Amending Title 54 (Names) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in judicial change of name, further providing for court approval required for change of name.

What is the status of HB1315?

In committee as of March 19, 2026. Latest action: Laid on the table, March 19, 2026 (March 19, 2026).

Who sponsored HB1315?

Benjamin Sanchez (D, 153), with 11 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for HB1315?

On the Pennsylvania Legislature website: https://www.palegis.us/legislation/bills/2025/hb1315