Bill > HB1291

This bill amends Title 45 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes concerning legal notices and public notices, primarily by updating definitions and rules for publication. Key changes include redefining "daily newspaper" to require publication at least two days a week, introducing definitions for "digital newspaper," "free newspaper," and "online-only newspaper" to accommodate modern media, and clarifying what constitutes a "newspaper of general circulation" to include digital and online formats under certain conditions, such as maintaining a website that posts all legal and public notices at no extra cost and on a statewide public notice website. The bill also modifies the effect of failure to advertise when required, stating that legal proceedings are not binding unless public notice is published in the defined newspapers and a proof of publication is filed, while also allowing for binding notice if published online by a printed newspaper within a timeframe that doesn't permit print publication. Furthermore, it establishes that legal and public notices can generally only be published in newspapers of general circulation, with an exception for those specifically required by other laws to be published in a legal newspaper, and outlines duties for website operators regarding accessibility, searchability, and archiving of online notices, as well as requiring government units to adopt resolutions designating which newspapers of general circulation will carry their notices.

Government Affairs

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2025&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=1291