The Pennsylvania Senate approved Senate Resolution 244 on June 3 to establish a Task Force on Child Protection in the Digital Age. The resolution, introduced by Senator Tracy Pennycuick, directs the Joint State Government Commission to convene a task force that will meet at least once every two years to review existing statutes, assess emerging technologies, and identify gaps in protections for children online. Senators Wayne Langerholc and Scott Martin are co-prime sponsors of the measure.
The commission is tasked with issuing a report and recommendations for action to the General Assembly. Pennycuick said, “Technology is advancing faster than the laws designed to protect children online. 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 added, “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 faced by children. In 2024, Act 125 was enacted following Pennycuick’s legislation targeting AI-generated child sexual abuse materials (CSAM). In 2025 her legislation classifying deepfakes as digital forgery became Act 35 of 2025.
Additionally, this session saw approval of Senate Bill 1050—which would strengthen 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 as a combat medic—her roles on boards supporting veterans and law enforcement; she served over two decades in the U.S. Army before retiring as lieutenant colonel after assignments such as Desert Shield/Desert Storm; she resides with her husband—a fellow Army veteran—in Harleysville; won election in 2022 after prior legislative service; holds a Bachelor of Science from University of Missouri-Columbia—all according to, the official website.
