Sen. Judy Schwank

Maddy summarySB 369 requires prosecutors to disclose detailed information about informants - such as their criminal history, cooperation agreements, and all statements made to them - 30 days before trial in criminal cases where informant testimony is used. It mandates a court hearing to verify the reliability of such testimony before it can be admitted, considering factors like corroboration and specificity. This directly affects criminal defendants by giving them more information to challenge informant credibility, and prosecutors who must now follow strict disclosure rules. The bill also requires prosecutors to notify victims if informants received benefits like plea deals in exchange for testimony.

Maddy summarySB 370 requires Pennsylvania law enforcement to electronically record (with audio) all custodial interrogations related to "crimes of violence" (serious offenses that would be violent if committed by an adult). Exceptions include immediate danger, a person refusing to be recorded, equipment failure, or interrogations conducted by another jurisdiction. If recording isn't done, officers must write a report explaining why and summarizing the interrogation. This directly affects police departments, officers conducting interrogations, and individuals questioned about violent crimes in Pennsylvania.

Maddy summarySB 393, the Senior Citizens' Property Tax Freeze Act, allows Pennsylvania residents aged 65+ who live on their property for at least five years and earn under $65,000 annually to freeze their real property tax increases. To qualify, applicants must submit a notarized form proving eligibility and submit annual income proof. The exemption ends if the property is sold or transferred (except to another eligible senior), and the state will reimburse local governments for lost tax revenue. The law applies starting January 1, 2026, and replaces conflicting existing laws. This directly affects qualifying seniors owning residential property in Pennsylvania.

Maddy summarySB 363 creates Pennsylvania's Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program, which will help eligible residents facing water or wastewater service disconnection due to unpaid bills. The program, to be established by the Department of Human Services by July 1, 2026, provides grants to cover overdue water/wastewater bills or restore terminated services for low-income households that own/rent homes, are responsible for utility payments, and meet income guidelines. Water and wastewater providers can apply for grants on behalf of qualifying customers, with funds restricted to preventing disconnection, paying arrears, or restoring service. The program requires annual public reporting to the Governor and legislative committees on program participation and spending.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates February 17-23, 2025, as "THON Week" in Pennsylvania to honor Penn State student volunteers involved in the IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon. It recognizes their work supporting pediatric cancer research and patient care through the Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital. The resolution does not create new laws or alter funding; it is a ceremonial acknowledgment of the event's mission and impact. THON, a student-run philanthropy, has raised over $236 million since 1977 for childhood cancer support.

Maddy summarySB 360 requires Pennsylvania's Department of Corrections to collect detailed data on solitary confinement use in state prisons, including duration, reasons for placement, and impacts on vulnerable inmates such as youth, elderly individuals, pregnant people, and LGBTQ+ inmates. The bill mandates annual public reports to the Governor and legislature containing aggregated statistics (like recidivism rates and self-harm incidents) without personally identifiable information. These reports and prison policies governing solitary confinement must be posted on the department's public website. The bill directly affects all state prison inmates, with specific tracking requirements for vulnerable populations.

Maddy summarySB 351 mandates that health insurance policies in Pennsylvania providing pregnancy-related benefits must cover infertility treatment expenses, including IVF, embryo transfer, and artificial insemination. It applies to policies delivered, issued, or renewed in the state, requiring coverage for diagnosis and treatment while allowing limited restrictions like waiting periods (aligned with medical guidelines) or copayments not exceeding those for pregnancy benefits. The bill explicitly excludes coverage for infertility resulting from elective sterilization reversal and allows religious organizations to opt out of covering these procedures. This policy change directly affects insured individuals seeking fertility care and insurers offering pregnancy-related coverage in Pennsylvania.

Maddy summarySB 341 strengthens Pennsylvania's Wage Payment and Collection Law by expanding the definition of "employer" to include the Commonwealth, local governments, and public authorities, ensuring all public and private employers are covered. It requires the Department of Labor to collect and report quarterly data on wage violations, unpaid wages, and investigations to lawmakers and the public, and mandates quarterly reviews of "high violation industries" (those with 25+ violations in two years). The bill increases penalties for wage theft to $2,000 per violation or triple unpaid wages, whichever is greater, and adds stronger protections against employer retaliation for workers who file complaints or cooperate with investigations. These changes directly affect all employers in Pennsylvania and workers owed unpaid wages.

Maddy summarySB 346 establishes workplace health and safety standards specifically for public employees in Pennsylvania, including state, county, city, school, and local government workers. It creates the Pennsylvania Occupational Safety and Health Review Board to handle disputes, requires employers to provide hazard-free workplaces, and authorizes workplace inspections. The bill extends protections similar to federal OSHA standards (which currently cover private-sector workers) to public employees who are not already covered by federal rules. Key provisions include employer duties to eliminate recognized hazards, requirements for written hazard disclosures, and penalties for violations.

Maddy summarySB 338 requires water and wastewater utilities in Pennsylvania to hold a ratepayer vote before selling systems valued at $1 million or more, with the commission blocking approval if a majority disapproves. It creates a "water ratepayer bill of rights" mandating annual reports showing acquisition costs, rate changes, and subsidies for former municipal customers, plus annual water source notifications. The bill directly affects residential ratepayers and water utilities, requiring transparency about privatization impacts and service changes. Key provisions include mandatory public voting on utility sales, detailed annual reporting on acquisition costs, and requirements for notifying customers about water sources and land access rights.