Westmoreland County’s website now includes a statement that “Pursuant to Court Administrative Order, all filings must an include an affidavit regarding Generative Artificial Intelligence,” and the “Forms” page now includes a form for use in the Court of Common Pleas, including the Orphans’ Court. This was apparently posted March 5, 2026.

This appears to be the second county in Pennsylvania that will require an affidavit as to the use of generative AI in filings. (Butler County adopted a similar procedure in 2024. See “Problems with Chatbots” for additional information about court filings prepared using AI.)

However, there is no record of Westmoreland County having published this administrative order in the Pennsylvania Bulletin, and publication would seem to be necessary for this order to be effective because it is within the definition of (and has the effect of) a “local rule.” See Pa. R.J.A. 103(c), 201 Pa. Code Rule 103, “Procedure for adopting, filing, and publishing rules.”