Sen. Judy Schwank

Maddy summarySB 745 amends Pennsylvania's Manufactured Home Community Rights Act to strengthen tenant protections and clarify rent increase rules for manufactured home residents. The bill requires community owners to allow resident associations and group meetings, mandates 180 days' notice for rent/fee increases (up from 60 days), and caps annual increases based on the regional consumer price index (max 4% or 2% if CPI is low). It also creates a process for owners to seek temporary 2% surcharges for extraordinary operating costs, requiring detailed financial disclosures and resident input before implementation. These changes directly affect manufactured home residents and community owners across Pennsylvania.

Maddy summarySB 175 makes it a crime to knowingly report false emergencies (like crimes or medical crises) to police, fire departments, 911 operators, or emergency medical services. It directly affects individuals who make such false reports, requiring them to pay the full costs of the emergency response - including officer/firefighter overtime, equipment, and supplies - through court-ordered restitution. For juveniles, parents or guardians may be ordered to pay a portion of these costs if the juvenile cannot afford it, with payment plans or hardship adjustments available. The law applies to false reports originating in Pennsylvania or targeting Pennsylvania agencies, and it expands the Attorney General’s authority to prosecute cross-county or multi-state violations.

Maddy summarySB 797 exempts certain veterans from Pennsylvania vehicle registration fees. It specifically applies to veterans receiving disability benefits tied to service-connected injuries or disabilities, with total annual income under $19,200. Instead of the standard registration fee, the state will charge a $10 processing fee for these vehicles. The veteran must be the principal driver unless physically or mentally incapable, but may authorize others to drive the vehicle. The bill takes effect 90 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates June 2025 as "Migraine and Headache Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania. It symbolically recognizes the impact of headache disorders - such as migraine, cluster headache, and related conditions - on millions of people, including disproportionate effects on women, veterans, and underserved communities. The resolution encourages Pennsylvanians, healthcare professionals, and policymakers to support awareness, research, and improved access to care for those living with these conditions. It does not create new laws or funding but serves as a formal acknowledgment of the issue.

Maddy summarySB 692 amends Pennsylvania's medical assistance program to set limits on how payment rates can change for nursing facilities. It requires that nonpublic nursing facility payments stay at or above 90% of prior rates starting July 1, 2025, while county facility payments must maintain 100% plus any percentage change applied to nonpublic rates. These payment rate limits will remain in effect until June 30, 2026, or until a new rate-setting system replaces the current one. The bill directly affects county and nonpublic nursing facilities enrolled in Pennsylvania's medical assistance program.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires most Pennsylvania employers to provide paid sick leave to employees, directly affecting workers and their families who need time for medical care, family health needs, or public health emergencies. Employees earn one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked (max 56 hours/year), with rules on accrual, carryover, and usage. Employers with existing equivalent paid leave policies (covering the same purposes and conditions) are exempt. The bill mandates employers to provide written notice of leave policies and prohibits retaliation against employees using sick leave, with pay calculated at the employee's regular rate or minimum wage.

Maddy summarySB 798 creates a new misdemeanor offense for knowingly possessing a firearm or dangerous weapon in a municipal building when a local ordinance bans such items. It directly affects individuals entering municipal buildings (like town halls or courthouses) and requires municipalities to post clear notices and provide free, no-cost firearm check facilities within 30 days of adopting a ban. The bill specifies penalties: third-degree misdemeanors for basic possession, first-degree for possession with criminal intent, and summary offenses for certain licensed carriers who fail to check firearms. Exceptions include law enforcement, municipal officials, veterans groups on ceremonial duty, and attorneys with authorized exhibits.

Maddy summarySB 787 establishes new rules for solitary confinement in Pennsylvania prisons and detention facilities. It defines solitary confinement as confinement alone for 20+ hours daily and prohibits its use for vulnerable populations - including youth, the elderly, pregnant individuals, LGBTQ+ people, and those with mental health or developmental disabilities - without specific medical evaluation. The bill limits solitary confinement to 15 consecutive days or 20 days in a 60-day period, requires a hearing within 72 hours of placement, and mandates daily clinical evaluations to identify vulnerable inmates who must be removed immediately. Facilities must also provide basic necessities, daily outside time, and prohibit 24-hour cell lighting without medical justification.

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 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.