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SB 1350

An Act amending the act of December 17, 1968 (P.L.1224, No.387), known as the Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law, further providing for definitions and for unlawful acts or practices and exclusions; and providing for conduct relating to reproductive health data and sexual health data.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Amanda Cappelletti and 10 co-sponsors

Pennsylvania SB 1350 expands UTPCPL to regulate handling of reproductive and sexual health data, adding clearer definitions, privacy protections, and enforcement for deceptive prac

Referred to Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 1350

Overview

  • Jurisdiction: Pennsylvania
  • Bill: SB 1350
  • Session: 2025-2026
  • Primary focus: Amending the Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law (UTPCPL) to update definitions and unlawful acts or practices, and adding provisions related to reproductive health data and sexual health data.
  • Status: As of the latest action, referred to the Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure committee.

Note: The bill text provided appears to reflect a prior legislative item (SB 1350 from the 2019-2020 session focusing on appropriations). The current description indicates a 2025-2026 version with specific focus on UTPCPL amendments and data related to reproductive/sexual health. The summary below is based on the stated bill title and described provisions.

Purpose and intent

  • Update and strengthen the Pennsylvania UTPCPL by:
    • Providing clearer definitions relevant to unfair or deceptive acts or practices.
    • Expanding or clarifying what constitutes unlawful acts or practices under UTPCPL.
  • Introduce new provisions governing conduct related to reproductive health data and sexual health data to protect individuals’ privacy and data security in the handling of such information.

Key provisions and changes

  1. Definitions

    • Refines or adds definitions used in UTPCPL to better capture modern consumer protection concerns, particularly around data practices.
    • May specify terms related to reproductive health data and sexual health data, including categories of data, and contexts in which data handling is governed.

  2. Unlawful acts or practices

    • Expands enumerated unlawful acts or practices under UTPCPL.
    • Could include:
      • Deceptive or misleading representations about the collection, use, sale, or sharing of reproductive/sexual health data.
      • Unlawful or aggressive data collection practices.
      • Misrepresentation of data privacy protections or security measures.

  3. Exclusions

    • Adds or clarifies exclusions to UTPCPL enforcement, potentially distinguishing between general business-to-consumer data practices and specialized health data contexts.
    • May carve out certain disclosures that are permitted under other privacy/security regimes or regulations.

  4. Reproductive health data and sexual health data

    • Establishes standards or obligations related to:
      • How reproductive and sexual health data can be collected, stored, used, or shared.
      • Protections against unauthorized access, data breaches, or misuse.
      • Requirements for consent, disclosures, or data minimization.
      • Transparency obligations for entities handling such data (privacy notices, data maps, etc.).

  5. Enforcement and remedies

    • Clarifies enforcement mechanisms under UTPCPL for violations related to health data.
    • May specify remedies, civil penalties, damages, and injunctive relief.

Who would be affected

  • Business entities and individuals engaged in commerce within Pennsylvania, particularly:

    • Companies handling consumer data, especially health-related data (reproductive and sexual health data).
    • Technology platforms, health apps, insurers, clinics, and data brokers.
    • Any entity making representations about privacy protections or data practices.

  • Consumers and residents of Pennsylvania:

    • Enhanced privacy protections for sensitive health information.
    • Potentially greater control and clearer notices regarding how health data is collected and used.

Procedural and timeline considerations

  • The bill would follow standard legislative process for UTPCPL amendments:

    • Referral to the appropriate committee (likely Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure).
    • Committee hearings and amendments.
    • House and Senate floor consideration, potential amendments, and votes.
    • Possible governor’s signature to become law.

  • If enacted, the effective date would typically be specified within the bill (e.g., a specific filing date, a transitional period, or immediate effect for certain provisions). Absent exact text, the typical approach would include:

    • Effective date (e.g., 60 or 180 days after enactment) for most provisions.
    • Early applicability for certain notices or requirements.

Practical impact and considerations

  • For businesses:

    • Must review and potentially revise data collection, storage, sharing, and disclosure practices related to reproductive and sexual health data.
    • May need updated privacy notices, consent mechanisms, and breach response plans tailored to health data.
    • Should assess marketing and advertising representations to ensure no deceptive practices regarding health data protections.

  • For consumers:

    • Improved protections against misuse of sensitive health data.
    • Greater transparency and potential control over personal health information.

  • For regulators:

    • New or clarified enforcement authorities under UTPCPL to address health-data-related violations.
    • Possible increased consumer redress options for health-data privacy violations.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to include a line-by-line comparison with current UTPCPL provisions, or add a section outlining potential compliance steps for businesses based on common privacy/data-protection best practices.

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

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