Bill > HR162

This resolution urges all agencies of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to develop the technological capability to include diacritical marks (accent marks that change a letter's sound or pronunciation) on names appearing on official documents by July 1, 2027. The resolution highlights that while most state agencies currently have this ability, the Department of Transportation (PennDOT) lacks the technological capability due to outdated legacy mainframe systems used for motor vehicle and driver's license records. The underlying motivation is to respect individual human dignity by allowing people's names to be spelled correctly and accurately on official documents, recognizing that name mismatches can cause significant practical problems such as difficulties with identity confirmation, rental applications, and accessing government services. The resolution also notes that PennDOT is in the process of replacing its mainframe systems, which is expected to be completed by late 2025, and the House of Representatives stands ready to provide resources to potentially expedite this technological upgrade.

Government Affairs

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2025&sind=0&body=H&type=R&bn=162