Sen. Maria Collett

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 129) honors the late Pennsylvania State Representative Matthew R. Gergely and expresses condolences to his family following his death. It formally recognizes his life, career in McKeesport (including roles as City Administrator and Chief Revenue Officer), and service as a state representative for the 35th district. The resolution, adopted on June 23, 2025, directs the Senate to convey these condolences to his wife, children, and other surviving family members. It does not create any new policy or affect any laws.

Maddy summarySB 700 requires Pennsylvania public schools to adopt research-backed reading curricula aligned with the science of reading, beginning with the 2026-2027 school year. It mandates schools to use approved reading screeners to identify early literacy struggles, develop intervention plans for struggling students, and notify parents about their child’s reading progress. The bill creates a state list of approved curricula and screeners, overseen by a 20-member Reading Leadership Council including teachers and specialists, and requires schools to report adoption and screening data. Schools must also provide free, required professional development for educators on evidence-based reading instruction and intervention methods. This directly affects all K-3 public school students, their teachers, and parents through updated curriculum, screening, and intervention requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Pennsylvania's Department of Human Services to establish a dental benefit package for medical assistance recipients aged 21 and older by 2025-2026. It mandates that the dental coverage must maintain all existing services provided before 2011 and cannot remove any current benefits, though it may add new coverages. The department must seek federal approval via a waiver or State plan amendment to implement this dental coverage. The bill also requires the department to publish notices in the Pennsylvania Bulletin detailing the benefit package, which will remain in effect until updated by regulation.

Maddy summarySB 115 amends Pennsylvania's Human Services Code to replace the high school diploma or GED requirement for direct care staff in personal care homes and assisted living residences with a skills competency exam. The exam assesses communication skills, basic literacy, cultural awareness, and knowledge of mental health needs specific to these settings, without permitting medication administration. This change specifically applies to individuals who are citizens of or educated in another country, lawfully reside in the U.S., and meet other qualifications, eliminating the need for facilities to seek certain waivers. The bill directs the Department of Human Services to create temporary implementing regulations within two years and repeals conflicting existing regulations.

Maddy summarySB 796 increases the tax on motor vehicle leases from 3% to 5% of the lease price and raises the fee for renting a motor vehicle from $2 to $6.50 per day. Revenue from these fees will fund Pennsylvania’s Public Transportation Assistance Fund, which supports public transportation services statewide. The bill affects vehicle lessees and renters, including those using carsharing services, though carsharing rentals of less than 6 hours will have lower fees (ranging from $0.25 to $1.25). The changes take effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summarySB 795 imposes a new fee on transportation network companies (like Uber or Lyft) operating in Pennsylvania. Companies must pay 4.6% of total ride fares in Philadelphia (a city of the first class) and 6% elsewhere, remitted quarterly to the Public Transportation Trust Fund. These fees will directly fund transportation programs, including operating costs for public transit systems, as specified in the bill’s fund allocation provisions. The law takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summarySB 841 requires home health care agencies, home care registries, and their direct care workers (including those in Pennsylvania's Community Health Choices Program) to complete dementia-specific training. It mandates four hours of initial training and two hours of annual continued training covering Alzheimer's care, person-centered approaches, and dementia-related behaviors. Agencies must maintain documentation of this training in employee files and use department-approved curricula. The Department of Health will develop implementing regulations within one year, with the law taking effect 60 days after passage.

Maddy summaryPennsylvania's SB 612, the Menstrual Equity Act, requires specific public entities to provide free disposable menstrual products (like tampons and pads) in restrooms without stigma. It directly affects schools, colleges, correctional facilities, homeless shelters, government offices offering public services (e.g., unemployment assistance), and armories. The law mandates these locations make products available at no cost starting July 1, 2025, with state secretaries overseeing implementation. Key provisions focus on accessibility and eliminating cost barriers for people who menstruate in these settings.

Maddy summarySB 833, the Right-to-Repair Act, requires manufacturers (OEMs) of digital electronic equipment sold in Pennsylvania after July 1, 2022, to provide owners and independent repair shops with repair documentation, parts, and tools on fair and reasonable terms. This includes free access to manuals, diagrams, and tools (with minor fees only for physical copies), and parts at costs equivalent to those offered to authorized repair providers. The law excludes medical devices, motor vehicles, security systems, and video game consoles from its requirements. It directly affects consumers who repair their own devices and independent repair businesses, aiming to reduce manufacturer control over repair processes.

Maddy summarySB 818 amends Pennsylvania's Keystone Opportunity Zone (KOZ) Act to add new requirements for businesses seeking tax benefits. It mandates that businesses making capital investments over $25,000 for facility construction, repair, or renovation must ensure 70% of workers are "skilled craft laborers" (as defined by apprenticeship completion or equivalent experience) and that all workers receive the state-mandated prevailing wage. Violations of these wage requirements - such as intentional nonpayment - require businesses to refund all tax benefits received for that year. This affects KOZ businesses pursuing tax exemptions, deductions, abatements, or credits, directly linking labor standards to tax incentives. The bill integrates Pennsylvania's prevailing wage laws into KOZ tax compliance, effective 60 days after enactment.