The Pennsylvania Senate passed Senate Resolution 244 on June 3 to establish a Task Force on Child Protection in the Digital Age. The measure, introduced by Senator Tracy Pennycuick and co-sponsored by Senators Wayne Langerholc and Scott Martin, directs the Joint State Government Commission to convene a task force that will meet at least once every two years to review state statutes, assess emerging technologies, and identify gaps in protections for children online. The commission is required to issue a report and recommendations for legislative action.
“Technology is advancing faster than the laws designed to protect children online,” said Pennycuick. “The rapid growth of artificial intelligence, social media, algorithm-driven content, and digital manipulation has introduced new and increasingly complex threats to minors, including exploitation, exposure to harmful material, and adverse mental health impacts. As these technologies evolve, we must continually review and update our laws to ensure they provide strong, effective protections for our children.”
Langerholc said, “The Senate’s unanimous approval strengthens and expands our ongoing commitment to protecting children from the threats of the digital world. This task force will equip the Commonwealth to anticipate emerging challenges and safeguard the well‑being of our youth.”
Martin said, “Young people face threats online today that were unthinkable just a few years ago, from harmful chat bots to dangerously sophisticated sextortion and child trafficking schemes, to name just a few. We have made tremendous progress in recent years to protect young people against these dangers. This new task force will help make sure we keep pace with new and emerging threats young people face every time they look at their phone or computer.”
The proposal builds upon previous legislative efforts addressing digital harms facing children. In 2024, legislation sponsored by Pennycuick became Act 125 of 2024 targeting AI-generated child sexual abuse materials (CSAM). In 2025 her bill classifying deepfakes as digital forgery was signed into law as Act 35 of 2025. The Senate also approved measures such as Senate Bill 1050 strengthening reporting requirements for AI-generated CSAM and Senate Bill 1090 establishing safeguards for AI chatbots accessible by minors.
Pennycuick has engaged in public service through her military career—including serving 26 years in the U.S. Army before retiring as lieutenant colonel—and roles supporting veterans’ issues; she resides with her family in Harleysville after winning election to the Pennsylvania Senate in 2022 following prior service in the General Assembly, according to her official website.
