Sen. Steve Santarsiero

Maddy summaryPennsylvania's SB 785 establishes new antitrust rules to promote fair competition, primarily affecting health care providers, insurers, and health systems. The bill creates a legal right for both businesses and consumers (including indirect purchasers like patients) to sue for antitrust violations and requires health care entities to notify the state before merging or acquiring other health care businesses. It prohibits monopolistic practices, mandates divestiture of assets if mergers harm competition, and imposes fines of at least $100,000 per violation. The law aims to prevent anti-competitive behavior in health care markets while allowing private lawsuits and state enforcement.

Maddy summarySB 667 designates Hershey's Kisses as Pennsylvania's official state candy. The bill formally names the confection as a symbolic recognition of the Hershey Company's economic and cultural ties to the state, including its manufacturing presence and tourism impact. This is a ceremonial designation with no legal or regulatory effects on residents, businesses, or state operations. It takes effect immediately upon passage and remains in force as long as Hershey's corporate headquarters stays in Pennsylvania.

Maddy summarySB 772 creates a new tax credit for Pennsylvania taxpayers who pay tolls on the Pennsylvania Turnpike and specific bridges operated by the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission, Delaware River Port Authority, and Burlington County Bridge Commission. Taxpayers can claim a credit equal to 50% of their qualifying toll expenses, up to $500 annually, for tolls paid via E-ZPass, cash, or card. The credit applies to individuals and businesses, including pass-through entities like S corporations and partnerships, with unused credits potentially passed to shareholders or owners. The credit becomes available for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.

Maddy summarySB 769 requires firearm owners in Pennsylvania to store guns safely when not in use, directly affecting all gun owners who store firearms outside of immediate personal carry. The bill mandates storage using a lockable device, a built-in firearm lock, or a securely locked container. Violations are minor offenses for first-time violations, misdemeanors for repeat offenses, and felonies if the unsecured firearm is used in a crime causing injury or death. The bill is pending in the Judiciary Committee and has not yet been voted on.

Maddy summaryPennsylvania's SB 768 requires firearm owners living with someone who cannot legally possess a firearm (such as a convicted felon or someone under a restraining order) to store their guns securely. This means using a lockable device, built-in firearm lock, or locked container - except when the gun is carried on the person or within immediate reach. Violating this rule is a minor offense for a first violation, a misdemeanor for repeat offenses, and a felony if the improperly stored gun is used in a crime causing injury or death. The law directly affects households with gun owners and prohibited individuals, aiming to prevent unauthorized access. It takes effect 60 days after passage.

Maddy summarySB 771 amends Pennsylvania's self-defense laws to clarify when deadly force is legally justified. It removes the duty to retreat from one's home or workplace before using force (unless the person was the initial aggressor), creating a "stand your ground" provision in those locations. The bill specifies that deadly force is only justified to prevent death, serious injury, kidnapping, or sexual assault, and requires the person using force to believe it was immediately necessary. It also prohibits using deadly force against a police officer acting in their official duties, and exempts the "stand your ground" rule if the attacker has a weapon. This directly affects Pennsylvanians using force in self-defense, particularly in home or workplace settings.

Maddy summarySB 778 modifies Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code to establish a formal approval schedule for city revitalization and improvement zones. It allows the Department of Community and Economic Development to initially approve two such zones and one pilot zone after the bill takes effect, then approve two additional zones annually starting in 2028. The bill directly affects cities seeking to create these designated zones, which typically offer tax incentives for development. It does not change tax rates or create new taxes, but streamlines the process for expanding these zones statewide.

Maddy summarySB 774, known as the Legacy Law, requires courts to order drivers convicted of vehicular homicide while driving under the influence to pay financial support to minor children or dependents whose parent or legal guardian died in the incident. The law mandates that restitution covers the child’s needs until age 18 (or 19 if pursuing a high school diploma), considering factors like the child’s living standard, custody arrangements, and educational needs. Payments must be made directly to the surviving parent or guardian or through the court, with special provisions for incarcerated offenders who have one year after release to begin payments. This applies specifically to cases where the victim was a parent or legal guardian of a minor under 18.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania bill (SB 770) requires firearm owners to store guns securely on their premises if minors might access them without permission. It makes insecure storage a violation, with penalties ranging from a minor violation (first offense) to a felony (if the firearm is used in a crime causing death or injury). Key defenses include proving the gun was locked securely, the minor accessed it via unlawful entry, or the minor was under adult supervision during lawful activities like hunting. Retailers must post clear notices about these storage rules and penalties.

Maddy summarySB 781 creates a new "mental health day" category allowing Pennsylvania students to miss school excused for mental or physical fatigue due to mental health needs, whether diagnosed (like anxiety or depression) or not (such as trauma from school incidents or academic stress). It permits up to two consecutive days per week for mental health days, with schools required to adopt policies by the 2026-2027 school year. The bill defines "uncertified" mental health needs broadly to include un-diagnosed stressors like grief, bullying, or burnout, while limiting additional days beyond the two-day weekly cap. The state department must develop model policies and guidelines within 90 days of the bill's effective date.