PA Consumer Data‑Privacy Bill: 3 Actions SMBs Need Before 2026

Pennsylvania’s Consumer Data‑Privacy Act (HB 78 / SB 112) cleared the House Commerce Committee on March 18 2025 and is expected to become law later this year—enforceable 12 months after enactment, likely early 2026. The bill grants Keystone State residents new rights to access, delete, and opt‑out of the sale of their personal data. It affects businesses that (a) earn over $10 million annual revenue or (b) handle data on 50,000+ consumers, households, or devices per‑year.

If you run or serve a Pennsylvania SMB, you have less than a year to prepare. Start with these three practical steps.

1 – Map & Classify Your Data

Why it matters – You can’t honour deletion or access requests—or prove compliance—unless you know exactly what personal data you collect, where it lives, and who you share it with.
Quick‑win checklist

1. List collection points – website forms, payment portals, CCTV, marketing tools.
2. Tag data as personal, sensitive (health, biometric), or non‑personal.
3. Note legal basis for each: consent, contract, legitimate interest.
4. Document processors – cloud providers, payroll vendors, SaaS apps.
5. Store the map in a simple spreadsheet and review quarterly.

Action 2 – Publish an Updated Privacy Notice & Opt‑Out Link

Pennsylvania’s bill makes the privacy notice your compliance linchpin. Controllers must provide a “reasonably accessible, clear and meaningful” notice that lists data categories, processing purposes, third‑party sharing, and a working email or web form for consumer requests.
Additionally, if you sell data or run targeted ads, the homepage must feature a clear opt‑out link (“Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Data”).

Quick‑win checklist

1. Rewrite your existing privacy page—use plain English headings mirroring the bill’s required disclosures.
2. Add an email or form endpoint (e.g., [email protected]).
3. Insert a top‑footer text link: “Do Not Sell or Share My Data”. Point it to the form or a one‑click unsubscribe script.
4. Document last updated date; schedule quarterly reviews.

Action 3 – Stand Up a 45‑Day Consumer‑Request Workflow

Under HB 78, you must respond to any verified access, deletion, or correction request within 45 days (one 45‑day extension allowed).

Quick‑win checklist

1. Create an internal ticket template capturing: request type, ID proof, data sources affected, due dates (Day 45 / Day 90).
2. Assign an owner—even if that’s just you—to move requests through verification, data retrieval, response, and logging.
3. Draft canned email responses: receipt confirmation, data supplied, deletion confirmed, or refusal + appeal instructions.
4. Train your team or contractor—anyone who handles email/phone calls—on how to recognise and route privacy requests.
5. Archive each ticket for at least two years to demonstrate compliance if audited.

The Consumer Data‑Privacy Act is almost certain to become law enforcement could begin as early as Q1 2026. SMBs that act now will glide through the transition and turn compliance into a trust‑builder. If you need help mapping data, rewriting privacy notices, or building a 45‑day request workflow, schedule a free consult with Cyber Craft Solutions. Let’s harden your business before the deadline hits.