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The 1776 Philadelphia ConstitutionThe laws of the land, set down plainly — and put to the people, one provision at a time.

The Pennsylvania Register

Every law Pennsylvania has passed

55,382 acts of the General Assembly, from William Penn’s first assembly in 1682 to 2026. Until 1874 much of the Assembly’s work was “special” legislation for a single person, company or town: a divorce, a road, a tavern license. That year’s constitution barred local and special laws on most subjects, and the yearly count fell; lately it is about 150.

Not yet complete · The state has not yet digitized its session laws act by act for most years between 1851 and 1949. We filled what we could from scans of the printed volumes: every year from 1851 to 1875 and most sessions from 1877 to 1907. A computer read those titles, so they can contain misspellings, and a few acts in each year were missed. Most years from 1909 to 1949 are still thin (marked below). Every other year is complete, from 1682 through 1850 and from 1950 to today.

Clear

2,985 laws of the 1950s

Constitution of 1874

  1. Vehicle Code - amend - protection of workmen on highways

    Act 208 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  2. Volunteer fire company special fire police law - amend - duties upon request of municipal authorities

    Act 209 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  3. Disabled soldier free peddling license law - amend - prohibiting the peddling of labled flowers of the Italian-American World War Veterans of the United States, Incorporated

    Act 210 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  4. Funeral Director Law - amend - Department of Public Instruction, State Board of Funeral Directors

    Act 211 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  5. Penal Code - amend - Sunday sales of certain personal property, fines

    Act 212 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  6. Fiscal Code - amend - security for deposits of State moneys

    Act 213 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  7. State licensing board military training credit law

    Act 214 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  8. Liquid Fuels Tax Municipal Allocation Law - amend - use of allocated funds in second class townships

    Act 215 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  9. Second Class Township Code - amend - Shade Tree Commission

    Act 216 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  10. Public School Code of 1949 - amend - classification

    Act 217 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  11. Fourth to Eighth Class County Assessment Law - amend - exemptions from taxation

    Act 218 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  12. Public School Code of 1949 - amend - joint school system operated by union or merged school districts and other districts

    Act 219 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  13. Liquor Code - amend - airport restaurant exemption

    Act 220 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  14. Public School Code of 1949 - amend - audiovisual libraries

    Act 221 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  15. Borough Code - amend - election of councilmen

    Act 222 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  16. Cemeteries and burial grounds law - amend - change of location, court-ordered removal of bodies

    Act 223 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  17. Port of Philadelphia board of wardens supplement law - amend - rates of pilotage

    Act 224 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  18. Liquefied petroleum gas law - amend - registration fees, inspections, records

    Act 225 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  19. Public School Code of 1949 - amend - semiannual payments

    Act 226 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  20. Public School Code of 1949 - amend - State Teachers' College in Cheyney

    Act 227 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  21. Public School Code of 1949 - amend - attendance in other districts, requirements

    Act 228 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  22. Public School Code of 1949 - amend - debt limit, constitutional amendment

    Act 229 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  23. Conveyance - Commonwealth property in Collier Township, Allegheny County

    Act 230 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  24. Local additional tax enabling and collection law - amend - certain exemptions

    Act 231 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  25. Statutory Construction Act - amend - computation of time

    Act 232 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  26. Statutory computation of time law - amend - last day

    Act 233 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  27. Borough Code - amend - annexation by ordinance

    Act 234 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  28. Pymatuning Lake compact law - amend - operation of motor boats

    Act 235 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  29. County soldiers and sailors memorial hall law - amend - Italian American World War Veterans of the United States, board of control

    Act 236 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  30. County Code - amend - appropriations to Italian American World War Veterans of the United States, Incorporated, compilation of war records

    Act 237 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  31. Second Class County Code - amend - appropriations to Italian American World War Veterans of the United States, Incorporated, compilation of war records

    Act 238 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  32. Second Class County Code - amend - Italian American World War Veterans of the United States, Incorporated

    Act 239 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  33. County Code - amend - Italian American World War Veterans of the United States, Incorporated, board of control

    Act 240 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  34. City and town veterans observances expenses appropriation authorization law - amend - Italian American World War Veterans of the United States, Incorporated

    Act 241 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  35. Third Class City Code - amend - service increments for firemen

    Act 242 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  36. Penal Code - amend - cutting or cropping dog ears by veterinarian

    Act 243 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  37. General County Assessment Law - amend - fire and rescue station exemption

    Act 244 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  38. Public School Code of 1949 - amend - appointment of school director as board secretary

    Act 245 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  39. Third Class City Code - amend - pension payments to retired fire department members

    Act 246 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  40. Second Class County Code - amend - retirement allowances, county contribution, employe contribution

    Act 247 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  41. Second Class City Firemen Relief Law - reenact and amend - first payments to widow and children

    Act 248 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  42. Second Class City Policemen Relief Law - reenact and amend - first payments for disability

    Act 249 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  43. Second Class City Firemen Relief Law - reenact and amend - first payments to disabled members

    Act 250 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  44. Insurance Department Act of 1921 - amend - restrictions on payment or division of commissions

    Act 251 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  45. Insurance Company Law of 1921 - amend - nonforfeiture, age setback

    Act 252 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  46. Insurance Department Act of 1921 - amend - reserve liability of life insurance companies

    Act 253 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  47. Group Life Insurance Policy Law - amend - premium basis for group policies

    Act 254 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  48. State Industrial Home for Women Law - amend - transportation of women prisoners by sheriffs

    Act 255 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  49. Business Corporation Law - amend - perpetual care and preservation of grounds and building by cemetery and burial corporation

    Act 256 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  50. Second Class City Employe Pension Law - amend - pension rights

    Act 257 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  51. Selective Sales and Use Tax Act - amend - beverages, liquors, bottled soft drinks, bottlers, distributors, purchase at retail, sale at retail, resale, use, exclusions, prepayment

    Act 258 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  52. Edwin L. Drake posthumous commission conferment law

    Act 259 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  53. Liquor Code - amend - liquor license issuance and transfer

    Act 260 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  54. Conveyance - Commonwealth property in Abington Township, Lackawanna County

    Act 261 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  55. Borough Code - amend - appropriations for handling, storage and distribution of surplus foods

    Act 262 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  56. Borough Code - amend - historical property acquisition and maintenance

    Act 263 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  57. Supreme Court procedural rules authorization law - amend - courts of quarter sessions

    Act 264 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  58. First Class Township Code - amend - temporary investment of township funds

    Act 265 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  59. Second Class Township Code - amend - 45-day limit on decision by zoning board of adjustment

    Act 266 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  60. Borough Code - amend - 45-day limit on decision by zoning board of adjustment

    Act 267 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  61. First Class Township Code - amend - 45-day limit on decision by zoning board of adjustment

    Act 268 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  62. Second Class Township Code - amend - ponds or dams for fire protection

    Act 269 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  63. Administrative Code of 1929 - amend - Department of Health powers and duties, fee

    Act 270 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  64. Public School Code of 1949 - amend - reimbursement eligibility determinations by Department of Public Instruction, reimbursable costs

    Act 271 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  65. State officer and agency funds investment regulation law - amend - investments

    Act 272 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  66. Insurance Company Law of 1921 - amend - amount of salary, compensation or emolument paid without prior vote of board of directors

    Act 273 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  67. Insurance Company Law of 1921 - amend - period of deferment for payments of salary, compensation or emolument

    Act 274 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  68. Third class county employee retirement law - amend - per diem employe, service credit, superannuation retirement, reinstatement, certain limit on exemption

    Act 275 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  69. Fourth Class County Retirement Law - amend - beneficiary designation, reinstatement, total disability, certain limit on exemption

    Act 276 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  70. Fifth through eighth class county retirement law - amend - membership, compulsory membership, monthly payments, reinstatement, certain limit on exemption

    Act 277 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  71. Penal Code - amend - Sunday sale of newspapers

    Act 278 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  72. Conveyance - Commonwealth property in Limerick Township, Montgomery County

    Act 279 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  73. Vehicle Code - amend - parking on highways, public utility vehicle or tractor exception

    Act 280 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  74. Vehicle Code - amend - use of manufacturer's, jobber's and dealer's registration plates

    Act 281 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  75. County Code - amend - agricultural extension work appropriation

    Act 282 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  76. County Code - amend - contracts without written bids

    Act 283 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  77. Second Class County Code - amend - agricultural extension work appropriation

    Act 284 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  78. Public School Code of 1949 - amend - membership of county board of school directors

    Act 285 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  79. Public School Code of 1949 - amend - supervising principals of joint boards or union or merged districts

    Act 286 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  80. Second Class Township Code - amend - appropriations for handling, storage and distribution of surplus foods

    Act 287 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  81. First Class Township Code - amend - appropriations for handling, storage and distribution of surplus foods

    Act 288 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  82. Pennsylvania Election Code - amend - compensation of election officers

    Act 289 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  83. Borough Code - amend - police and firemen retirement

    Act 290 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  84. Department of Public Welfare revolving fund law - amend - leases to blind persons, State Council for the Blind, Employment Fund for the Blind, vending machines in State buildings

    Act 291 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  85. Administrative Code of 1929 - amend - State Council for the Blind

    Act 292 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  86. Administrative Code of 1929 - amend - speech and hearing rehabilitation centers

    Act 293 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  87. Insurance Company Law of 1921 - amend - proceedings to merge and consolidate

    Act 294 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  88. Civil Service Act - amend - promotions without examination

    Act 295 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  89. First Class Township Code - amend - adoption of zoning codes

    Act 296 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  90. Borough Code - amend - borough police jurisdiction

    Act 297 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  91. Borough Code - amend - assistant secretary

    Act 298 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  92. Municipal Borrowing Law - amend - borrowing without bonds

    Act 299 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  93. Borough Code - amend - examination of zone maps

    Act 300 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  94. Local Tax Collection Law - amend - inclusion of discounts or penalties on statements

    Act 301 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  95. Radioactive material burial law

    Act 302 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  96. Borough Code - amend - council request of certified check to accompany bids for contracts

    Act 303 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  97. Game Law - amend - commission meetings

    Act 304 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  98. Second Class Township Code - amend - deleting limit on indebtedness for erecting townhouse

    Act 305 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  99. Borough Code - amend - auditor filing of audit report

    Act 306 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

  100. Game Law - amend - beaver trap

    Act 307 of 1959 · 1959 · Original text

By decade

Constitution of 19681968–today

Constitution of 18741874–1967

Constitution of 18381838–1873

Constitution of 17901790–1837

Constitution of 17761776–1789

Province of Pennsylvania1682–1775

1682–1801: the Statutes at Large of Pennsylvania. 1802–1974: the Pamphlet Laws (Laws of the General Assembly). Both from the scans published by the Pennsylvania Legislative Reference Bureau, which link to each original page. 1975 onward: the General Assembly’s own record of legislation enacted, which adds approval dates and bill numbers. Years the Bureau hasn’t indexed act by act come from the annual Laws of the General Assembly as scanned by the Internet Archive and Google Books: we split each volume into acts by their approval lines, and each one links to its scanned page. Before 1975 each year’s appropriation acts were scanned as one bundle, so they aren’t listed one by one. Proposed constitutional amendments, vetoed bills and reorganization plans are left out. Subject lines are the Bureau’s and the General Assembly’s, not the laws’ full titles.