Bill > SB1295

This bill amends Pennsylvania law concerning commercial drivers to establish an English proficiency standard, requiring individuals to be able to read and speak English sufficiently to converse with the public, understand signs, respond to inquiries, and make report entries, with exceptions for hearing-impaired drivers, and imposing penalties including fines and disqualification for violations. It also updates definitions to include federal regulations for "evidence of lawful immigration status" and "nondomiciled CDL" (Commercial Driver's License) or "nondomiciled CLP" (Commercial Driver's Learner's Permit), clarifies that federal law prevails in case of conflict, mandates that knowledge tests for commercial driver's licenses be administered only in English, and prohibits interpreters during skills tests, while also requiring applicants for nondomiciled licenses to provide evidence of lawful immigration status and undergo in-person verification. Furthermore, the bill requires employers to be notified if a driver is prohibited from operating a commercial vehicle due to failing the English proficiency standard, allows for cargo transfer in such cases, and permits the seizure of registration plates and impoundment of vehicles if the owner is the driver in violation, with a processing fee for return, and introduces penalties for employers and contractors whose drivers violate the English proficiency standard, along with requiring an annual report from the Department of Transportation mirroring a federal report.

Budget and Finance, Transportation and Infrastructure

https://www.palegis.us/legislation/bills/2025/sb1295