Pennsylvania Senate Bill SB955

Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 7/31/25
• Refer: 7/31/25
• Refer: 9/9/25
• Report Pass: 10/6/25
• Engrossed: 10/7/25
• Refer: 10/8/25

Caption

In registration of vehicles, providing for mental health registration plate; in fees, further providing for payments to special funds; and establishing the Mental Health Restricted Account.

Summary

SB955 would authorize the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to create and issue a new “mental health” specialty registration plate. The plate would feature the Liberty Bell with a teal and purple ribbon and the phrase “Mental Health Matters.” Applicants could obtain the plate for an added $42 fee, on top of the normal vehicle registration cost, for qualifying motorcycles, passenger cars, trucks up to 14,000 pounds, and motor homes. The bill also directs that $15 from each plate fee be deposited into a newly created Mental Health Restricted Account in the State Treasury. That account would be continuously appropriated to the Department of Human Services to support operations of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or any successor program. The act would take effect 120 days after enactment, and it amends Title 75 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes in the vehicle registration and special funds provisions.

Impact

SB955 would amend Pennsylvania’s vehicle code to add a new specialty plate category and create a dedicated funding stream for mental health crisis services. It would affect PennDOT’s registration processes, the State Treasury’s special funds structure, and the Department of Human Services’ funding for 988 Lifeline operations. The bill would not change eligibility for mental health services directly, but it would provide a recurring source of revenue tied to voluntary vehicle registration purchases.

Sentiment

The available voting history shows strong bipartisan support and no recorded opposition at each stage of consideration. The Senate Transportation Committee reported the bill unanimously, the Senate Appropriations Committee also reported it unanimously, and the full Senate passed it 48-0. The absence of committee testimony in the provided materials limits insight into detailed debate, but the vote pattern suggests the bill was viewed favorably as a symbolic and funding-supportive mental health measure.

Contention

No major points of contention are reflected in the provided transcripts or vote record. Potential issues that could arise from the bill’s structure include whether the specialty plate fee is an effective or equitable way to fund crisis services, and whether the $42 surcharge may limit participation. However, the legislative record provided shows no recorded disagreement over the plate design, the fee allocation, or the creation of the restricted account.