Sen. Nikil Saval

Maddy summarySB 941 requires all Pennsylvania courthouses to provide private, accessible lactation rooms for nursing parents. These rooms must be at least 80 square feet, include a chair, electrical outlet, and privacy features (like locking doors), and comply with ADA accessibility standards. The bill directly affects nursing parents using courthouses for court-related matters, ensuring they have a hygienic space to express breast milk or nurse their child. Courthouses must post public signage indicating room locations, and rooms cannot be repurposed restrooms or storage areas. The law takes effect six months after enactment.

Maddy summarySB 935 (the "PrEP for Pennsylvania Act") mandates that all health insurance policies sold in Pennsylvania must cover the cost of preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) HIV prevention medication. This directly affects insurance providers, who must include PrEP in standard coverage without moving it to a higher-cost specialty tier, and people who rely on insurance for HIV prevention. The law also prohibits requiring unnecessary specialist counseling to access PrEP. It takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summarySB 936, the "PEP for Pennsylvania Act," requires all health insurance policies sold in Pennsylvania to cover the cost of postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) HIV medication - FDA-approved drugs taken after potential HIV exposure to prevent infection. It mandates this coverage for all qualifying health insurance plans (excluding dental, vision, or limited benefit policies) starting 60 days after the law takes effect, and prohibits insurers from placing PEP medications in higher-cost specialty tiers solely for profit. The bill also prevents insurers from requiring unnecessary counseling from infectious disease specialists to access PEP, unless medically needed. This directly affects Pennsylvania residents with health insurance by ensuring access to critical HIV prevention medication without financial barriers.

Maddy summarySB 815 adds an exclusion to Pennsylvania’s state real estate transfer tax for first-time home buyers purchasing single-family residences. It directly affects individuals who have never owned a single-family home (including mobile homes or condos) in Pennsylvania or another state and will reside in the property. The bill defines "first-time home buyer" as someone living in Pennsylvania, domiciled in the home, and without prior ownership of similar properties. This exclusion applies only to the state tax, not local real estate transfer taxes, and takes effect 60 days after enactment. The bill is currently pending in committee.

Maddy summarySB 926 amends Pennsylvania's child custody law to add a new factor for courts to consider: a party's or household member's history of drug or alcohol abuse. It specifically clarifies that lawful medical marijuana use under Pennsylvania's Medical Marijuana Act (2016) alone cannot be used as evidence to deny custody or require drug testing. The bill directly affects family courts and parents involved in custody disputes by explicitly protecting medical marijuana users from having their lawful use impact custody decisions. This change updates the existing custody factors list in Title 23 of Pennsylvania law to ensure medical marijuana use is not unfairly treated as evidence of abuse. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 130) condemns the antisemitic firebombing attack that occurred on June 1, 2025, in Boulder, Colorado, during a Run for Their Lives demonstration supporting Jewish hostages. It calls on Pennsylvania (referred to as "the Commonwealth") to address the rising trend of antisemitism, citing statistics showing Jewish people face 67% of religious hate crimes in the U.S. and a 344% increase in antisemitic incidents over five years. The resolution expresses solidarity with the Jewish community, thanks law enforcement for responding to hate incidents, and urges action to combat antisemitism statewide. As a symbolic resolution, it does not create new laws or funding but formally condemns the attack and advocates for community support.

Maddy summarySB 910 creates a new 6.5% severance tax on natural gas extracted at the wellhead in Pennsylvania, starting January 1, 2026. It directly affects natural gas producers (businesses extracting gas for sale or commercial use), excluding those working with storage fields or coal bed methane. The bill requires producers to report monthly gas volumes and pay taxes within 15 days of each reporting period, with revenues deposited into the state General Fund. It also repeals an expiration provision for unconventional gas well fees, ensuring those fees remain in effect.

Maddy summarySB 95 amends Pennsylvania's Pharmacy Act to create a 180-day provisional license for pharmacists moving from other states, allowing them to practice without demonstrating competency under Pennsylvania's requirements. It also permits emergency medical services providers to distribute naloxone dose packages for opioid overdose reversal under specific conditions, including a Department of Health standing order and voluntary distribution without liability. Additionally, the bill requires pharmacies to disclose prescription drug prices (brand vs. generic), cost-sharing amounts, and health insurance options upon customer request. These changes aim to improve pharmacist mobility, expand naloxone access, and increase price transparency for consumers.

Maddy summarySB 837 amends Pennsylvania's abortion laws by repealing the existing "Abortion Control Act" (Sections 3201-3202) and overhauling related statutes. It removes requirements for parental consent, spousal notice, and certain medical consultations, while revising definitions (like "abortion" and "born alive") and gestational age limits. The bill establishes a new framework for "reproductive rights" and repeals provisions related to federal healthcare compliance, civil/criminal penalties, and medical board oversight. This directly affects abortion providers, patients seeking abortions, and healthcare facilities operating in Pennsylvania.

Maddy summarySB 844 amends Pennsylvania's Fiscal Code to simplify the process for claiming small-value unclaimed property held by the state. It raises the threshold from $500 to $10,000 for the State Treasurer to automatically pay or deliver unclaimed property (or its proceeds) to a person identified as the sole owner in required reports, without requiring a formal claim. This directly affects individuals or entities with small-value unclaimed assets, such as forgotten bank accounts or checks under $10,000. The change streamlines the process for these smaller claims while maintaining existing reporting requirements under the law.