Sen. Nikil Saval

Maddy summarySB 989 would require health insurance plans in Pennsylvania to cover immunizations (such as vaccines) without out-of-pocket costs for policyholders. The bill applies to all health insurance providers operating in the state and mandates that they include immunization coverage in their plans. It also imposes penalties on insurers that fail to provide this coverage. This change would directly affect insurance companies and ensure Pennsylvanians with health insurance have guaranteed access to immunization services.

Maddy summarySB 11 amends Pennsylvania's Election Code to strengthen transparency in campaign financing. It clarifies definitions for key terms like "expenditure," "independent expenditure," and "corporate political accountability," requiring candidates, committees, and businesses to disclose political spending more clearly. The bill mandates biennial adjustments to contribution limits and adds new reporting rules for corporate political activity, including independent expenditures. These changes directly affect candidates, political committees, and corporations making election-related contributions or spending in Pennsylvania. The law aims to increase transparency around campaign funding to address concerns about corruption.

Maddy summarySB 976 requires hotels with 100+ guest rooms in Pennsylvania to provide hotel employees working alone in guest rooms with a safety device (like a two-way radio) at no cost. The bill mandates that hotels must respond immediately when an employee activates the device due to threats of violence, sexual assault, harassment, or other emergencies, and reassign the employee to a safer area without losing pay. Hotels must also protect employees from retaliation for using the device, notify staff about guests who caused incidents, and provide safety education. Violations result in a $5,000 administrative penalty per offense after a warning. This applies to all hotel employers not covered by existing collective bargaining agreements.

Maddy summarySB 978 requires Pennsylvania health insurers to cover early allergen introduction dietary supplements (for peanut or egg protein) prescribed to infants under one year old at no additional cost to the insured. This directly affects infants with food allergy risks and their families covered by health insurance policies, excluding dental, vision, or limited-benefit plans. The law mandates coverage for medically prescribed supplements designed to reduce food allergy development, aligning with clinical guidance for early introduction. It applies to health insurance policies issued or renewed 60 days after the law's effective date.

Maddy summarySB 981 amends Pennsylvania's licensing law for social work and therapy professions to specifically regulate "Licensed Recreational Therapists." It defines recreational therapy practice (including 15 methods like assessment, treatment planning, and community integration) and requires a license for anyone using the title "Licensed Recreational Therapist." Unlike other licensed professions under this law, recreational therapists must hold a license for employment by the state, local governments, or nonprofit agencies. The bill also updates the State Board composition to include one licensed recreational therapist member.

Maddy summarySR 139 is a resolution directing the Joint State Government Commission to study whether Pennsylvania should create a registry tracking individuals who abuse vulnerable populations. The study would examine the feasibility of establishing such a registry for adults with disabilities and seniors (who currently lack protections similar to child abuse registries), including constitutional considerations, registry management, and impacts on employment and access to services like Medicaid. It requires the Commission to evaluate existing state registries, explore combined registry models, and gather input from agencies, disability advocates, senior groups, child protection organizations, and legal experts. This resolution does not create a registry but seeks to determine if one would be practical and effective.

Maddy summarySB 967 requires most health insurance policies in Pennsylvania to cover diagnostic testing for dyslexia under specific conditions, such as family history, school literacy screening failures, or a pediatrician's recommendation. It mandates coverage for comprehensive neuropsychological exams and related wellness plans, but caps annual benefits at $6,000 (adjusted for inflation), and excludes policies like accident-only, dental, or vision insurance. The law applies to individual and group health plans governed by Pennsylvania insurance regulations, directly affecting insurers and individuals meeting the eligibility criteria. It does not cover treatment, only diagnosis and screening as defined in the bill.

Maddy summarySB 72 strengthens Pennsylvania's Construction Workplace Misclassification Act by increasing penalties for employers who wrongly classify workers as independent contractors. It adds criminal penalties (misdemeanors to felonies based on prior offenses), creates a private right for misclassified employees to sue for triple back pay plus attorney fees, and expands debarment authority to exclude violators from public construction projects for up to five years. The bill directly affects construction employers, workers on public projects, and contractors doing state work, while prohibiting retaliation against those reporting violations. These changes aim to enforce proper worker classification and compensation under the existing 2010 law.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits adoption and foster care agencies from denying services based on protected characteristics like sexual orientation, gender identity, race, religion, HIV status, or disability. It bans extra screenings, delays, or denials for these reasons when placing children or approving caregivers, and prevents religious discrimination in placements. The law applies directly to all county agencies and private providers authorized to offer foster care, kinship care, or adoption services in Pennsylvania. Agencies must follow these rules when making placement decisions or processing applications.

Maddy summarySB 940 requires all Commonwealth buildings (state-owned or leased government offices) to provide private lactation rooms for individuals expressing breastmilk or nursing. These rooms must be at least 80 square feet, fully private with locking doors, and include a chair, table, electrical outlet, and ADA-compliant accessibility. The bill directly affects state employees and visitors who need to express breastmilk while at work, aligning with federal workplace accommodations under the Affordable Care Act. It mandates specific design standards to ensure privacy and functionality, without requiring additional amenities beyond the core specifications.