Sen. Maria Collett

Maddy summarySB 442 allows eligible Pennsylvania voters to register on election day at their polling place by providing proof of residence (such as a driver's license, approved document, or a sworn statement from another registered voter). It requires election judges to process registrations separately from voting, maintain records of attempted registrations, and forward completed forms to county election offices. County boards must verify 25% of new election-day registrations by mail within 10 days and report ineligible registrations to prosecutors. The bill prohibits fraudulent registrations (e.g., registering someone ineligible or in multiple districts) as a misdemeanor offense. This law applies to all future primary, municipal, and general elections after its effective date.

Maddy summarySB 407 amends Pennsylvania's disabled veterans' real estate tax exemption law to clarify eligibility rules. It establishes an automatic exemption for disabled veterans with annual household income of $75,000 or less (adjusted every two years using the Consumer Price Index), while requiring additional proof of need for applicants earning above this threshold. The bill defines "annual income" broadly to include pensions, disability payments, and other sources, while excluding certain benefits like Medicare or food assistance. The state commission must publish updated income thresholds biennially in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. This directly affects disabled veterans seeking property tax relief by standardizing income-based eligibility.

Maddy summarySB 388 proposes amending Pennsylvania's Constitution to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on sex, race, ethnicity, color, religious creed, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, familial status, or disability. This would expand existing constitutional protections under Article I, Section 28 to cover these additional categories, ensuring equality of rights under the law for all Pennsylvanians. The bill requires the General Assembly to pass it twice before submitting the amendment to voters at the next qualifying election. As of March 6, 2025, the bill has only been referred to the State Government committee and remains in early legislative stages.

Maddy summarySB 389 amends Pennsylvania's Credit Services Act to prohibit credit services organizations from discriminating against applicants based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression. Specifically, it bans denying credit, increasing fees, restricting credit amounts, or imposing different terms based on these characteristics. The bill allows organizations to still consider credit history and apply community property laws as permitted under existing rules. This change directly affects credit service providers and their customers in Pennsylvania, ensuring equal access to credit services.

Maddy summarySB 385 modifies Pennsylvania's domestic relations law to bar a spouse convicted of a personal injury crime against their partner from receiving spousal support or temporary alimony during divorce proceedings, unless the court finds a "manifest injustice" exists. This directly affects individuals in divorce cases where one partner has a criminal conviction for harming the other. The law requires courts to consider if there's a history of harassment or prior protection orders when determining if a "manifest injustice" exemption applies. Any spousal support paid after the injury but before the conviction can be recovered by the injured party through a court petition. The changes apply to cases filed 60 days after the law takes effect.

Maddy summarySB 38 amends Pennsylvania's Human Services Code to adopt the federal False Claims Act's framework, creating new provisions for holding entities accountable for submitting false claims to the state. It directly affects contractors, grantees, and healthcare providers receiving state funds who knowingly submit false information related to payments or property. Key mechanisms include triple damages for the Commonwealth, civil penalties, and "qui tam" lawsuits allowing private citizens to file claims on behalf of the state. The bill defines "false claims" broadly to cover any knowingly submitted false requests for money or property tied to state programs, with penalties applying to violations like concealing false information or failing to report errors.

Maddy summarySB 371, the Medical Debt Collection Protection Act, protects low-income patients from aggressive medical debt collection practices. It requires health care providers to screen patients for insurance and financial assistance *before* billing them for emergency or necessary care, and prohibits collectors from placing liens on primary homes or reporting debts to credit bureaus. The law also mandates a 30-day notice to patients before pursuing permissible actions like lawsuits or wage garnishment, including information about complaint procedures. It directly affects uninsured patients and those with household incomes under 300% of the federal poverty level (qualified patients), imposing new duties on the Attorney General and Department of Health for enforcement. The bill is currently pending in the Health & Human Services committee.

Maddy summarySB 387 modifies Pennsylvania sentencing for murder offenses. It sets a minimum 25-year prison term for adults convicted of second-degree murder, murder of an unborn child, or murder of a law enforcement officer. For minors under 18 convicted of these crimes, it establishes minimum terms: 20 years for those aged 15+ at the time of offense, and 15 years for those under 15. The bill also restricts parole eligibility, requiring the Board of Probation and Parole to wait at least 20 years for offenders aged 15+ and 15 years for younger minors before considering parole, prioritizing public safety and victim safety.

Maddy summarySB 401 creates a $1,000 tax credit for Pennsylvania employers who hire, have an employee enlist, or have an employee reenlist in the Pennsylvania National Guard. The credit applies against taxes under Articles III or IV of the Tax Reform Code and can be carried over for up to three years if not fully used in the first year. The total annual credit amount is capped at $5 million, with unused credits allocated proportionally if the cap is exceeded. This credit applies to tax years beginning after December 31, 2025, and requires employers to claim it in their first eligible tax year.

Maddy summarySB 329 requires Pennsylvania healthcare professionals (including physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners) to complete at least two hours of continuing education on Lyme disease and related tick-borne illnesses as part of their license renewal. The law mandates that this education cover current research, symptom recognition, diagnostic options, treatment approaches, and prevention strategies, based on evidence from major health organizations. Licensing boards must establish the content within 18 months and seek input from experts, including university researchers. The bill directly affects all licensed healthcare providers in Pennsylvania who must renew their credentials.