Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

Pennsylvania Senate Bill SB24

Introduced
1/22/25  

Caption

An Act establishing the Office of New Americans and providing for its powers and duties; and establishing the Advisory Committee to Office of New Americans and providing for its powers, duties and mem . . .bership.

Summary

SB24 would create a new state Office of New Americans and establish an advisory committee to support that office. Based on the caption, the measure is intended to give the office defined powers and duties and to create a formal advisory body with membership, powers, and responsibilities tied to the office’s work. The bill appears aimed at coordinating state-level services, policy, and outreach related to immigrant and newcomer communities. Because the full bill text is not available in the provided materials, the precise statutory changes are not visible here. At a minimum, the bill would add a new administrative entity to state government and likely assign it responsibilities related to integration, access to services, community engagement, or interagency coordination for new Americans. It would also likely affect how state agencies interact with immigrant populations and how related programs are organized or advised.

Impact

SB24 would amend state law by establishing a new office within state government and creating an advisory committee to guide its work. The practical effect would be to formalize a state structure focused on immigrant and newcomer issues, potentially affecting agencies, local partners, and community organizations that serve foreign-born residents, refugees, and other new arrivals. The bill’s impact would depend on the specific powers and duties set out in the final text, but it would clearly create a new administrative framework where none existed before.

Sentiment

The available record shows limited public process information: there are no committee transcripts or recorded votes included, and the bill was referred to the Senate Community, Economic & Recreational Development Committee on January 22, 2025. With no debate or vote history provided, the overall sentiment cannot be measured directly from the materials. The bill’s subject matter suggests a policy focus on immigrant inclusion and state coordination, but the provided context does not show whether support or opposition has emerged.

Contention

No specific points of contention are documented in the supplied transcripts or votes because none are provided. In bills of this type, likely areas of disagreement could include whether the state should create a new office, how much authority and funding it should receive, whether the advisory committee should include certain stakeholders, and whether the office’s mission should focus on services, advocacy, or coordination. However, those concerns are inferred generally and are not attributed to any named legislator, agency, or stakeholder in the provided record.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

PA HB1113

Establishing the Office of New Pennsylvanians and providing for its powers and duties; establishing the Office of New Pennsylvanians Restricted Account; and establishing the Advisory Committee to Office of New Pennsylvanians and providing for its powers, duties and membership.

PA SB245

Establishing the Regulatory Sandbox Program, the Regulatory Relief Office and an advisory committee; and providing for their powers and duties.

PA SB462

Further providing for definitions and for existing regulations; and establishing the Office of Government Efficiency and providing for its power and duties.

PA SB592

Relating to the delivery of services and programs to individuals with disabilities; conferring powers and duties on the Office of the Governor; establishing the Office for Individuals with Disabilities and the Advisory Committee for Individuals with Disabilities; and providing for the powers and duties of the office and the committee and for funding of the office and the committee.

PA HB114

Establishing the Independent Energy Office; and providing for powers and duties of the Independent Energy Office.

PA HB1901

Providing for the Office of Health Equity; establishing the Health Equity Advisory Committee; and imposing duties on the Department of Health.

PA HB39

In special powers and duties of counties, providing for other powers and duties of county humane officers.

PA SB118

In powers and duties of the Department of Environmental Resources, its officers and departmental and advisory boards and commissions, providing for Office of Environmental Justice.

PA HB229

Establishing the Keystone Solvency Operating Study Commission; and providing for its powers and duties and for a report.

PA HB1202

Establishing and providing for duties of the Infectious Disease Advisory Commission.

Similar Bills

CA AB2374

Postsecondary education: Designation of California Asian American- and Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions.

US HR749

Expressing support for the recognition of September 22, 2025, to September 28, 2025, as "Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions Week".

US SR405

A resolution expressing support for the recognition of September 22, 2025, to September 28, 2025, as "Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions Week".

CA ACR10

Korean American Day.

NJ S2234

Establishes Office of New Americans in Department of Human Services.

NJ A4830

Establishes Office of New Americans in Department of Human Services.

CA ACR118

Korean American Day.

CA SCR6

Korean American Day.