Sen. Steve Santarsiero

Co-sponsor SB 75

In committee · Pennsylvania Senate · Co-sponsor

An Act amending the act of April 14, 1972 (P.L.233, No.64), known as The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act, further providing for prohibited acts and penalties.

Maddy summarySB 75 amends Pennsylvania's Controlled Substance Act to decriminalize minor marijuana offenses. It removes criminal penalties for possessing up to 30 grams of marijuana (or 8 grams of hashish) for personal use, distributing small amounts without intent to sell, or smoking small amounts in public spaces. Instead of misdemeanor charges, these violations now carry only minor fines: $25 for possession or non-sale distribution, and $100 for public smoking. The bill explicitly states these offenses will not trigger license suspensions under Pennsylvania law. This change directly affects individuals caught with small amounts of marijuana for personal use or non-commercial distribution.

Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeDecriminalizes minor marijuana offenses by removing criminal penalties and replacing them with fines, reducing unnecessary incarceration and aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

In committee Jan 22, 2025 1 co-sponsor Track

Co-sponsor SR 7

Passed · Pennsylvania Senate · Co-sponsor

A Resolution designating the week of January 19 through 26, 2025, as "Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Holiday Week" in Pennsylvania.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates the week of January 19-26, 2025, as "Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Holiday Week" in Pennsylvania. It urges all Pennsylvanians to reflect on Dr. King’s legacy of nonviolence, equality, and civil rights during this week and throughout the year. The bill does not create new laws or policies but formally recognizes and commemorates Dr. King’s impact through a state-level observance.

Passed Jan 7, 2025 1 co-sponsor Track

Co-sponsor SB 1135

In committee · Pennsylvania Senate · Co-sponsor

An Act providing for funding to address habitability concerns in owner-occupied and rental units, measures to improve energy or water efficiency and make units accessible for individuals with disabilities, and removing barriers to affordability of homeownership; establishing the Whole-Home Repairs and Homeownership Affordability Program, the Student Housing Repurpose Program, the Whole-Home Repairs and Homeownership Affordability Fund and the Housing Stabilization Initiative Fund; and imposing duties on the Department of Community and Economic Development and the Commonwealth Financing Authority.

In committee Nov 29, 2022 1 co-sponsor Track

Co-sponsor SB 1201

Signed into law · Pennsylvania Senate · Co-sponsor

An Act amending the act of May 17, 1921 (P.L.682, No.284), known as The Insurance Company Law of 1921, in casualty insurance, providing for coverage for refill of prescription eye drops.

Signed into law Nov 3, 2022 1 co-sponsor

Co-sponsor SB 522

Signed into law · Pennsylvania Senate · Co-sponsor

An Act providing for blood lead assessment and testing of certain children and pregnant women by health care providers; imposing duties on the Department of Health; and requiring certain health insurance policies to cover blood lead tests.

Signed into law Nov 3, 2022 1 co-sponsor

Co-sponsor SB 225

Signed into law · Pennsylvania Senate · Co-sponsor

An Act amending the act of May 17, 1921 (P.L.682, No.284), known as The Insurance Company Law of 1921, in quality health care accountability and protection, further providing for definitions, for responsibilities of managed care plans, for financial incentives prohibition, for medical gag clause prohibition, for emergency services, for continuity of care, for procedures, for confidentiality, for required disclosure and for internal complaint process, providing for internal complaint process for enrollees, further providing for appeal of complaint, for complaint resolution, for certification and for operational standards, providing for utilization review standards, further providing for internal grievance process, for external grievance process and for records, providing for adverse benefit determinations, further providing for prompt payment of claims, for health care provider and managed care plan protection, for departmental powers and duties and for penalties and sanctions, providing for regulations and further providing for compliance with national accrediting standards and for exceptions; making repeals; and making editorial changes.

Signed into law Nov 3, 2022 1 co-sponsor

Co-sponsor SB 1083

Signed into law · Pennsylvania Senate · Co-sponsor

An Act amending the act of December 5, 1936 (2nd Sp.Sess., 1937 P.L.2897, No.1), known as the Unemployment Compensation Law, in preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; in contributions by employers and employees, further providing for contributions by employers and employees, successors-in-interest and appeals; in compensation, further providing for ineligibility for compensation; and, in shared-work program, further providing for shared-work plan requirements, for effective period of shared-work plan and for participating employer responsibilities.

Signed into law Nov 3, 2022 1 co-sponsor

Co-sponsor SB 358

Passed · Pennsylvania Senate · Co-sponsor

An Act amending the act of May 9, 2018 (P.L.118, No.24), known as the Maternal Mortality Review Act, further providing for confidentiality and protection of collected data, proceedings and activities.

Passed Oct 27, 2022 1 co-sponsor Track

Co-sponsor SB 1040

Passed · Pennsylvania Senate · Co-sponsor

An Act amending the act of November 24, 1998 (P.L.882, No.111), known as the Crime Victims Act, in crime victims, further providing for responsibilities of State and local law enforcement agencies.

Passed Oct 25, 2022 1 co-sponsor Track

Co-sponsor SR 366

In committee · Pennsylvania Senate · Co-sponsor

A Resolution recognizing the month of October 2022 as "National Breast Cancer Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania and October 21, 2022, as "National Mammography Day" in Pennsylvania.

In committee Oct 24, 2022 1 co-sponsor Track