Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session Status: Passed Senate Bipartisan · 12 R · 3 D cosponsors

SR 244 — A Resolution directing the Joint State Government Commission to establish the Task Force on Child Protection in the Digital Age.

Last action — Transmitted as directed

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed House
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has passed the Senate. Introduced March 12, 2026. It now moves to the second chamber.

Next likely step: consideration and a floor vote in the House.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 74% · high confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

Moderate

How often bills like it became law.

  • Passed Senate

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 15 sponsors

    1 primary, 14 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 2 parties (12 R · 3 D) — cross-party backing.

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 2 recorded votes so far.

Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.

In plain language

The resolution establishes a task force to address child protection in the digital age.

This resolution directs the Joint State Government Commission to create a task force focused on child protection as it relates to digital technology. The task force will examine issues and propose solutions regarding the safety of children online.

What this means for you
  • Families: This means families may benefit from enhanced safety measures and guidelines for children using digital technology.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

103 added · 88 removed

Plain-language change summary

The updated version of Bill SR 244 replaces the role of “Chairperson” with “Executive Director” for the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. Additionally, it removes the requirement for a representative from a children's advocacy center. These changes aim to streamline the committee overseeing child sexual abuse issues, which may enhance its effectiveness in addressing such critical matters.

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PRINTER'S NO.
PRIOR PRINTER'S NO.
1496 THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA SENATE RESOLUTION Session of No.
1496 PRINTER'S NO.
1691 THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA SENATE RESOLUTION Session of No.
WARD, VOGEL, SCHWANK AND PICOZZI, MARCH 12, 2026 REFERRED TO COMMUNICATIONS AND TECHNOLOGY, MARCH 12, 2026 A RESOLUTION Directing the Joint State Government Commission to establish the Task Force on Child Protection in the Digital Age.
WARD, VOGEL, SCHWANK, PICOZZI, MALONE, BROOKS, BAKER AND FARRY, MARCH 12, 2026 SENATOR PENNYCUICK, COMMUNICATIONS AND TECHNOLOGY, AS AMENDED, MAY 6, 2026 A RESOLUTION Directing the Joint State Government Commission to establish the Task Force on Child Protection in the Digital Age.
(3) the Chairperson of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency or a designee who must be an employee of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency;
(3) the Chairperson EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR of the <-- Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency or a designee who must be an employee of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency;
(8) the director of a rape crisis center in this Commonwealth or a designee, appointed by the Attorney 20260SR0244PN1496 - 2 - General;
(8) the director of a rape crisis center in this 20260SR0244PN1691 - 2 - Commonwealth or a designee, appointed by the Attorney General;
and (12) additional members necessary to carry out the duties of the Task Force as deemed necessary and appointed by the Attorney General;
an CHILDREN;
<-- (12) ONE MEMBER WITH EXPERIENCE IN THE INVESTIGATION OR PROSECUTION OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING OF MINORS OR WHO OTHERWISE HAS EXPERIENCE IN THE PREVENTION OR DETECTION OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING OF MINORS, AS APPOINTED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL;
(13) ONE MEMBER OF THE PENNSYLVANIA SEXUAL OFFENDERS ASSESSMENT BOARD, AS APPOINTED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL;
(14) ONE MEMBER WITH DEMONSTRATED EXPERTISE IN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY AND ONLINE SAFETY, PARTICULARLY AS IT RELATES TO THE EXPLOITATION OF MINORS, AS APPOINTED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL;
(15) THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE PENNSYLVANIA COMMISSION ON SENTENCING OR A DESIGNEE WHO MUST BE AN EMPLOYEE OF THE PENNSYLVANIA COMMISSION ON SENTENCING;
AND (12) (16) additional members necessary to carry out the <-- 20260SR0244PN1691 - 3 - duties of the Task Force as deemed necessary and appointed by the Attorney General;
and RESOLVED, That the Task Force on Child Protection in the Digital Age conduct comprehensive reviews to ascertain inadequacies in State statutes relating to advancements in technology, including, but not limited to, artificial intelligence that affects efforts relating to child protection, including, but not limited to, the offense of child sexual abuse material in 18 Pa.C.S.
and BE IT FURTHER <-- RESOLVED, That the Task Force on Child Protection in the Digital Age conduct comprehensive reviews to ascertain inadequacies in State statutes relating to advancements in technology, including, but not limited to, artificial intelligence that affects efforts relating to child protection, including, but not limited to, the offense of child sexual abuse material in 18 Pa.C.S.
§ 6312 (relating to sexual abuse of 20260SR0244PN1496 - 3 - children);
§ 6312 (relating to sexual abuse of children);
(1) accept and review written comments from individuals and organizations;
20260SR0244PN1691 - 4 - (1) accept and review written comments from individuals and organizations;
20260SR0244PN1496 - 4 - (1) the Governor;
(1) the Governor;
20260SR0244PN1496 - 5 -
20260SR0244PN1691 - 5 -
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Action History

  1. Transmitted as directed

  2. Adopted

  3. Reported as amended

  4. Referred to Communications & Technology

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 14 co-sponsors · 238 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (14)

Not signed on (238)

238 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 238 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

Committee vote (Communications & Technology): Adopt Amendment

Passed 11 Yea · 0 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 7000
Democratic 4000
Total 11000
% of votes cast 100%0%0%0%
How each member voted (11)
Member Party Vote
James Andrew Malone Democratic Yea
John I. Kane Democratic Yea
Lisa M. Boscola Democratic Yea
Nick Miller Democratic Yea
Chris Gebhard Republican Yea
Frank A. Farry Republican Yea
Joe Picozzi Republican Yea
Kim L. Ward Republican Yea
Kristin Phillips-Hill Republican Yea
Lisa Baker Republican Yea
Tracy Pennycuick Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Committee vote (Communications & Technology): Reported as Amended

Passed 11 Yea · 0 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 7000
Democratic 4000
Total 11000
% of votes cast 100%0%0%0%
How each member voted (11)
Member Party Vote
James Andrew Malone Democratic Yea
John I. Kane Democratic Yea
Lisa M. Boscola Democratic Yea
Nick Miller Democratic Yea
Chris Gebhard Republican Yea
Frank A. Farry Republican Yea
Joe Picozzi Republican Yea
Kim L. Ward Republican Yea
Kristin Phillips-Hill Republican Yea
Lisa Baker Republican Yea
Tracy Pennycuick Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

public-safety civil-rights technology
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors SR 244?
SR 244 is sponsored by Tracy Pennycuick (Republican), Wayne Langerholc (Republican), Scott Martin (Republican), Christine M. Tartaglione (Democratic), Camera Bartolotta (Republican), Devlin J. Robinson (Republican), Patrick J. Stefano (Republican), Judy Ward (Republican), Elder A. Vogel (Republican), Judith L. Schwank (Democratic), Joe Picozzi (Republican), James Andrew Malone (Democratic), Michele Brooks (Republican), Lisa Baker (Republican), and Frank A. Farry (Republican).
What is the current status of SR 244?
This bill has passed the Senate. Introduced March 12, 2026. It now moves to the second chamber.
Where can I track SR 244?
Track SR 244 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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