Sen. Maria Collett

Maddy summarySB 1035 (Ryan's Law) would amend Pennsylvania's Medical Marijuana Act to allow terminally ill patients to use medical marijuana in healthcare facilities under specific conditions. The bill requires facilities to permit use (without smoking/vaping), document it in patient records, and store marijuana in locked containers for safety, while exempting emergency departments. It directly affects terminally ill patients (with a one-year life expectancy prognosis) and healthcare facilities licensed under the Health Care Facilities Act. Key provisions include mandatory facility guidelines for use and allowing suspension of compliance if federal agencies prohibit medical marijuana programs. The bill does not require facilities to recommend marijuana or include it in discharge plans.

Maddy summarySB 1034 amends Pennsylvania's child protective services law to expand mandatory reporting requirements for certain child abuse offenses. It adds two specific crimes to the list that must be reported: "unlawful dissemination of intimate image" (18 Pa.C.S. § 3131) and "sexual abuse of children" (18 Pa.C.S. § 6312). This change directly affects mandated reporters (like teachers, healthcare workers, and social workers) who must now report these additional offenses under the law. The bill does not alter existing reporting obligations for other specified crimes like rape or sexual assault. It takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates October 2025 as "National Breast Cancer Awareness Month" and October 17, 2025, as "National Mammography Day" within Pennsylvania. It does not create new laws or funding but formally recognizes these observances at the state level. The resolution affects Pennsylvania's official state calendar and communications, encouraging awareness efforts during these designated dates. As a ceremonial resolution, it has no binding legal effect beyond the state's symbolic recognition.

Maddy summarySB 996 amends Pennsylvania's Capital Facilities Debt Enabling Act to change bidding rules for redevelopment projects. It requires at least three written bids for all construction work under $25,000, while projects over $25,000 must pay workers the state's prevailing minimum wage and comply with the Steel Products Procurement Act. The bill also clarifies that all redevelopment projects - regardless of contract structure - are treated as "public works" under Pennsylvania's prevailing wage law. This applies to local governments and developers managing capital projects funded through redevelopment assistance programs. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summarySB 114 updates Pennsylvania's Nurse Aide Resident Abuse Prevention Training Act to strengthen training standards for nurse aides working in long-term care facilities. It requires the state department to develop a specific long-term care curriculum, set qualifications for instructors (including RN supervision and facility experience), and establish a train-the-trainer program. The bill also creates three pathways to become a certified nurse aide, including completing approved training with a competency exam (offering remote written testing options), graduating from nursing programs, or meeting equivalent requirements. Additionally, it prohibits the department from imposing waiting periods before online training can be offered in approved programs. These changes directly affect nurse aides, long-term care facilities, and training programs across Pennsylvania.

Maddy summarySB 461 requires health insurance policies in Pennsylvania to cover specific diagnostic tests and treatments for Lyme disease and related tick-borne illnesses. It directly affects all Pennsylvanians with health insurance, particularly those in the state’s high-risk areas (all 67 counties, per the bill’s findings). The key provision mandates insurers cover clinically appropriate diagnostics and antibiotics, including longer-term treatments that some patients require. The bill aims to improve access to care by eliminating coverage barriers, as Pennsylvania has the highest Lyme disease incidence in the U.S. (over 100,000 cases reported in 2018 alone). This is intended to reduce chronic cases and overall disease burden, aligning with the state’s legislative purpose to promote prevention and treatment access.

Maddy summarySB 987 amends Pennsylvania's rules of evidence to clarify procedures for subpoenaing records in legal cases. It directly affects courts, attorneys, and organizations holding records (such as hospitals or financial institutions) by specifying how records can be legally requested. The key provision modifies Title 42 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes to define acceptable formats and timelines for producing documents under subpoena. This change aims to streamline access to evidence while maintaining procedural safeguards for record-holding entities. The bill is currently pending referral to the Judiciary committee for further review.

Maddy summarySB 989 would require health insurance plans in Pennsylvania to cover immunizations (such as vaccines) without out-of-pocket costs for policyholders. The bill applies to all health insurance providers operating in the state and mandates that they include immunization coverage in their plans. It also imposes penalties on insurers that fail to provide this coverage. This change would directly affect insurance companies and ensure Pennsylvanians with health insurance have guaranteed access to immunization services.

Maddy summarySB 11 amends Pennsylvania's Election Code to strengthen transparency in campaign financing. It clarifies definitions for key terms like "expenditure," "independent expenditure," and "corporate political accountability," requiring candidates, committees, and businesses to disclose political spending more clearly. The bill mandates biennial adjustments to contribution limits and adds new reporting rules for corporate political activity, including independent expenditures. These changes directly affect candidates, political committees, and corporations making election-related contributions or spending in Pennsylvania. The law aims to increase transparency around campaign funding to address concerns about corruption.

Maddy summarySB 976 requires hotels with 100+ guest rooms in Pennsylvania to provide hotel employees working alone in guest rooms with a safety device (like a two-way radio) at no cost. The bill mandates that hotels must respond immediately when an employee activates the device due to threats of violence, sexual assault, harassment, or other emergencies, and reassign the employee to a safer area without losing pay. Hotels must also protect employees from retaliation for using the device, notify staff about guests who caused incidents, and provide safety education. Violations result in a $5,000 administrative penalty per offense after a warning. This applies to all hotel employers not covered by existing collective bargaining agreements.