The Official Language Act establishes English as the official language of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and outlines the responsibilities of government entities to promote and preserve its use. The Act emphasizes the importance of a common language for unifying citizens, enhancing civic participation, and ensuring efficient government operations. It prohibits the Commonwealth and its political subdivisions from creating policies that favor any language other than English, while also recognizing the rights of individuals to use their preferred primary language in private settings.

Additionally, the Act includes specific limitations on its application, allowing for the use of other languages in certain circumstances, such as public safety, health, education for non-English speakers, and the preservation of Native American languages. It also restricts the use of appropriated funds to promote any language other than English, ensuring that taxpayer money is not used to support multilingual initiatives. The Act is set to take effect 90 days after its passage.