Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

Pennsylvania Senate Bill SB373

Introduced
3/6/25  

Caption

In boards and offices, providing for information technology and security.

Impact

This bill will fundamentally reshape how information technology security is managed within state agencies. It mandates that all IT goods and services acquired with taxpayer money meet prescribed security standards before operation, establishing a compliance framework that could lead to improvements in the integrity and confidentiality of state data. The Chief Information Officer will oversee adherence to these standards, which will likely require state agencies to adjust their current practices and allocate resources towards compliance efforts.

Summary

Senate Bill 373, introduced in Pennsylvania, aims to amend Title 71 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes by adding provisions for information technology and security. The bill establishes statewide security standards for managing the Commonwealth's information technology assets, emphasizing data classification, management, and encryption technologies. By implementing these standards, the state aims to enhance the functionality, security, and interoperability of its technology systems across various agencies.

Sentiment

The sentiment around SB 373 is expected to be largely supportive among those who prioritize cybersecurity and data protection, especially in an era where digital threats are increasingly sophisticated. Supporters view the bill as a proactive measure to safeguard sensitive state information and improve the overall cybersecurity posture of state agencies. However, the bill may face scrutiny from civil rights advocates concerned about privacy implications and the potential for costs associated with implementing these standards.

Contention

Notable points of contention may arise regarding the effectiveness of the proposed security measures and the potential administrative burden placed on state agencies. Critics may argue that while the intent of the bill is to enhance security, it could lead to increased expenses and the need for additional oversight, which some individuals or groups might view as unnecessary bureaucracy. The establishment of the Joint Cybersecurity Oversight Committee as outlined by the bill will also be a focal point of discussion, particularly concerning its membership, roles, and the complexities of its governance.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

PA HB883

In boards and offices, providing for information technology; establishing the Office of Information Technology and the Information Technology Fund; providing for administrative and procurement procedures and for the Joint Cybersecurity Oversight Committee; imposing duties on the Office of Information Technology; providing for administration of Pennsylvania Statewide Radio Network; and imposing penalties.

PA SB284

In boards and offices, providing for information technology; establishing the Office of Information Technology and the Information Technology Fund; providing for administrative and procurement procedures and for the Joint Cybersecurity Oversight Committee; imposing duties on the Office of Information Technology; providing for administration of Pennsylvania Statewide Radio Network; and imposing penalties.

PA HB746

In boards and offices, providing for Office of Information Technology.

PA HB1479

In boards and offices, providing for Office of Information Technology.

PA SB1214

Establishing the Office of Information Technology and Chief Information Officer.

PA HB964

Providing for transparency and disclosure of information collected by smart technology devices; establishing the Smart Technology Disclosure Fund; and providing for powers and duties of the Office of Attorney General.

PA HB739

In regulation of insurers and related persons generally, providing for insurance data security; in reserve liabilities, repealing provisions relating to small company exemption and providing for adoption of exemption standards of NAIC Valuation Manual; and imposing penalties.

PA HB2026

In school safety and security, providing for purchase of firearm detection technology.

PA HB759

Providing for breach of information, for reporting requirements and for civil relief.

PA HB27

In preliminary provisions, further providing for Basic Education Funding Commission and for special provisions applicable to limited school years, establishing the Child Reunification Program in the Department of Education and providing for minimum number of days or hours, for public job posting database, for instructional vacancy data and for data transparency; in duties and powers of boards of school directors, further providing for additional schools and departments; in school finances, providing for school district budget timeline for 2024 and for procedure for securing approval of electors; in grounds and buildings, further providing for limitation on new applications for Department of Education approval of public school building projects; in school directors' associations and county boards of school directors, further providing for powers and duties; in intermediate units, further providing for visual services and for school safety and security enhancements; in professional employees, repealing provisions relating to religious garb, insignia, etc., prohibited and penalty; in certification of teachers, further providing for substitute teaching permit for prospective teachers, for locally issued temporary certification for substitute teachers and for permit for classroom monitors; providing for Educator Pipeline Support Grant Program; in pupils and attendance, further providing for compulsory education of physical defectives, for dependent children, for cost of tuition and maintenance of certain exceptional children in approved institutions, for payment of cost of tuition and maintenance of certain exceptional children, for transfer of funds for transferal programs and for children under six with defective hearing and parent or guardian advised of schools, etc.; in safe schools, further providing for definitions and for Office for Safe Schools, repealing provisions relating to regulations and to reporting, further providing for policy relating to bullying and for maintenance of records, repealing provisions relating to safe schools advocate in school districts of the first class, to standing, to enforcement and to construction of article and other laws; in school safety and security, further providing for definitions and for School Safety and Security Committee, providing for duties of committee, further providing for School Safety and Security Grant Program, providing for Targeted School Safety Grants for Nonpublic Schools and School Entities Program, for standardized protocols, for county safe schools' collaborative and for school mental health grants for 2023-2024 school year, further providing for school safety and security coordinator training and providing for reporting and memorandum of understanding, for safe schools advocate in school districts of the first class and for enforcement; in school security, further providing for definitions, for school police officers, for annual report and for school security guards; in school health services, further providing for dental examinations and dental hygiene services and providing for eating disorder awareness and education; in drug and alcohol recovery high school program, providing for enrollment of students; in terms and courses of study, providing for calculation of average daily membership for a dual credit course and further providing for Economic Education and Personal Financial Literacy Programs; in early learning programs, providing for quarterly meetings; in character education program, further providing for character education program; providing for the Dual Credit Innovation and Equity Grant Program; in high schools, further providing for attendance in other districts; in community colleges, further providing for financial program and reimbursement of payments; in educational tax credits, further providing for qualification and application by organizations, for limitations and for low-achieving schools; in school districts of the first class, further providing for qualifications of principals and teachers; in funding for public libraries, providing for State aid for fiscal year 2023-2024; in credit card marketing, further providing for regulation of on-campus credit card marketing; in reimbursements by Commonwealth and between school districts, further providing for definitions and for payments on account of pupils enrolled in career and technical curriculums, providing for Level-Up Supplement for 2022-2023 school year, further providing for payments on account of courses for exceptional children, for payments to intermediate units, for assistance to school districts declared to be in financial recovery status or identified for financial watch status, for payments, for payments on account of pupil transportation, for Ready-to-Learn Block Grant and for payment of required contribution for public school employees' Social Security; in construction and renovation of buildings by school entities, further providing for applicability; providing for School Environmental Repairs Program; abrogating a regulation; and making an editorial change.

Similar Bills

CA AB2209

California Geographic Information Office.

HI SB2516

Relating To The Department Of Accounting And General Services.

AZ SB1598

Information technology; security; office

CT HB06855

An Act Establishing A Task Force To Study Minimum Standards For Timely Repair Of Complex Rehabilitation Technology.

CT SB00403

An Act Concerning Health Information Technology.

PA HB883

In boards and offices, providing for information technology; establishing the Office of Information Technology and the Information Technology Fund; providing for administrative and procurement procedures and for the Joint Cybersecurity Oversight Committee; imposing duties on the Office of Information Technology; providing for administration of Pennsylvania Statewide Radio Network; and imposing penalties.

CA AB809

Information security.

PA HB1219

In boards and offices, providing for information technology; establishing the Office of Information Technology and the Information Technology Fund; providing for administrative and procurement procedures and for the Joint Cybersecurity Oversight Committee; imposing duties on the Office of Information Technology; providing for administration of Pennsylvania Statewide Radio Network; and imposing penalties.