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Bill

SB 241

An Act amending the act of April 12, 1951 (P.L.90, No.21), known as the Liquor Code, in Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, providing for expungement of citations regarding COVID-19 protocols.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Lisa Baker and 14 co-sponsors

Pennsylvania bill allows liquor license holders to expunge citations for COVID-19 protocol violations, clearing pandemic-era regulatory penalties from official records.

Referred to Liquor Control
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Bill Summary · SB 241

Legislative bill overview

SB 241 allows Pennsylvania to expunge (erase) citations that bars, restaurants, and other liquor license holders received for violating COVID-19 protocols during the pandemic. The bill amends the state's Liquor Code to remove these violations from official records, effectively clearing past penalties related to pandemic-era public health mandates.

Why is this important

Many businesses received citations for violations like capacity limits, mask requirements, or social distancing rules during lockdowns and emergency periods. This bill provides a mechanism for those businesses to clear their records, potentially improving their standing with regulators and removing stigma. The real-world impact depends on whether expungement affects future license renewals, insurance rates, or regulatory scrutiny.

Potential points of contention

  • Precedent concerns: Expunging citations for public health violations may set a precedent for erasing other regulatory penalties, raising questions about accountability and rule of law
  • Selective application: The bill focuses only on COVID protocols—critics may question why pandemic violations deserve removal while other health/safety violations remain on records
  • Timing and fairness: Businesses that complied with restrictions may view expungement as unfairly benefiting non-compliant competitors who faced no lasting consequences

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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