The Commerce Committee adopted a substitute for HB 2366 that replaces 'should have known' language with a duty to cooperate with the attorney general, adds sworn-affidavit/perjury requirements, creates an affirmative defense for contractors, limits license suspensions to state licenses after injunction, increases penalties from 2x to 10x, and adds immunity for good-faith reporting contractors.

Lawmakers heard House Bill 260, which would replace criminal prosecution for certificate‑of‑fitness (COF) violations with graduated administrative penalties and create joint and several liability for contractors to address wage theft by disappearing subcontractors; state enforcement officials warned of increased hearing costs.

House Bill 1617 updates Pennsylvania's Wage Payment Law regarding contractor and subcontractor liability.

H.B. 396 requires second-tier subcontractors on public projects to provide employee and licensing information to general contractors and allows verification by the division of professional licensing; lawmakers removed a provision requiring Social Security digits after privacy objections. Vote: passed 27-0.