WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

SB 1321

An Act providing for eligibility for State funds; imposing duties on the Department of Human Services; providing for investigations by the Department of Human Services and the Office of Attorney General; and imposing penalties.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Cris Dush and 8 co-sponsors

SB 1321 would set criteria to restrict eligibility for state funds, expand DHS and OAG investigations, and impose penalties for noncompliance, including reducing funding for gender

Removed from table
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 1321

Summary: Senate Bill 1321 (2025-2026) – Pennsylvania

Purpose and intent

SB 1321, sponsored by Sen. Chris Gebhard and co-sponsored by multiple Republicans, would restrict eligibility for certain state funds and impose new duties and penalties related to state-funded programs. Its title signals a focus on eligibility for state funds, Department of Human Services (DHS) activities, investigations by DHS and the Office of Attorney General (OAG), and penalties. A memo associated with the bill cautions that its subject includes “Ending State Funding for Gender Transition of Minors,” indicating a policy objective centered on limiting state support for gender-transition services for minors.

Key provisions (as indicated by the bill text and title)

  • Eligibility for State Funds: The bill would establish criteria or conditions that determine whether entities (likely individuals, organizations, or programs) can receive state funds. The exact eligibility standards, caps, or disqualifications would be defined in the bill’s text.
  • DHS Duties: The Department of Human Services would be assigned new or expanded responsibilities, potentially including oversight, verification of eligibility, reporting requirements, or other administrative duties connected to state funding and program integrity.
  • Investigations:
    • DHS would have expanded capacity to conduct investigations related to program eligibility, fund disbursement, or conduct within DHS-administered programs.
    • The Office of the Attorney General would also be empowered to conduct investigations, likely in parallel with DHS, involving enforcement or compliance with the bill’s provisions.
  • Penalties: The bill would authorize penalties for violations of its provisions. Penalties could apply to individuals, providers, entities receiving state funds, or others who fail to comply with the new eligibility criteria, reporting, or investigative requirements.

Who would be affected

  • State-funded programs and recipients: Entities seeking state funds would be subject to new eligibility criteria and DHS oversight.
  • DHS and OAG: Agencies would gain expanded authority to investigate eligibility and compliance with the bill.
  • Service providers or institutions: Any organizations that receive or administer state funds (including health, social services, or youth services) could be directly impacted by the new requirements and potential penalties.
  • Minors and gender-transition-related services (per memo): Based on the memo subject, there may be a targeted impact on funding related to gender-transition services for minors, potentially restricting or eliminating state funding for such services.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Status: As of the latest action, SB 1321 was referred to the Banking & Insurance Committee on May 1, 2026. There are no reported floor votes in the Senate yet.
  • Next steps: If advanced, the bill would proceed through committee review, potential amendments, and eventually floor consideration in the Senate. If approved by the Senate, it would move to the House for consideration, where it would follow a similar committee-to-floor process. The bill’s progress could be affected by politics, amendments, and potential conference committee negotiations if amendments occur in one chamber.

Notable context

  • The bill’s title and sponsor memo indicate a policy preference against funding for gender-transition services for minors. The exact scope, definitions (e.g., what constitutes “state funds,” what constitutes “gender transition” services, and which programs are included), enforcement mechanisms, and protections (due process, exemptions, and appeals) would be detailed in the bill’s full text.

If you’d like, I can pull out specific sections (definitions, penalties, enforcement authority) from the bill’s text and provide a line-by-line breakdown of those provisions.

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

Sign in to ask a question.