Sen. Maria Collett

Maddy summarySB 274 creates two key programs in Pennsylvania law. First, it requires courts to offer non-prison sentencing options for individuals convicted of nonviolent offenses who are primary caretakers of dependent children (including pregnant women or new mothers), mandating community-based rehabilitation programs like parenting classes, job training, or mental health services instead of incarceration. Second, it establishes a Maternity Medical Services Program within correctional facilities, providing pregnancy and postpartum care for eligible incarcerated women at a reduced fee (with no denial of care due to inability to pay). The bill directly affects incarcerated parents, particularly mothers, by prioritizing family unity and maternal health. It amends sentencing procedures and medical services statutes to implement these changes.

Maddy summarySB 276, the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, requires Pennsylvania employers to provide reasonable accommodations for employees with pregnancy-related limitations (like modified schedules, extra breaks, or equipment adjustments) unless it causes significant cost or disruption to the business. It prohibits employers from refusing such accommodations, forcing leave when alternatives exist, or retaliating against workers who request them. The law applies to all employers in Pennsylvania and makes it illegal to deny employment or change work terms based on pregnancy-related needs. Employees can file complaints with the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission if their rights are violated, with enforcement mirroring existing anti-discrimination procedures.

Maddy summarySB 265 prohibits credit card payments for gambling-related services in Pennsylvania. It bans operators of fantasy contests, iLottery, interactive gaming, and sports wagering from accepting credit cards to fund accounts, make deposits, or place wagers. The bill directly affects licensed gambling operators by requiring them to use alternative payment methods for all transactions. Key provisions include adding specific restrictions to existing statutes (Sections 326, 503, 13B23, and 13C11) to enforce the credit card ban. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summarySB 266 strengthens Pennsylvania's gaming regulations by requiring licensed casinos and online gaming operators to enforce voluntary self-exclusion programs. It prohibits direct marketing (including email, texts, and social media) to self-excluded individuals, mandates real-time updates to exclusion lists every 48 hours, and bans access to rewards, credit, winnings, and promotional benefits for excluded persons. Violations could result in fines up to $1.2 million for gaming entities, with misdemeanor or felony penalties for repeated offenses. The bill directly affects gaming businesses and supports individuals seeking to avoid gambling activities through formal self-exclusion.

Maddy summarySB 269 amends Pennsylvania's 1965 Newborn Child Testing Act to add Duchenne muscular dystrophy to the list of conditions screened for in newborns. The bill requires healthcare providers to administer screening tests for this condition as part of the existing newborn screening program. This directly affects newborns in Pennsylvania and the healthcare facilities that conduct these screenings, aiming to identify the condition early to prevent disability or death. The change takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires most health insurance plans in Pennsylvania to cover infertility treatments without out-of-pocket costs (like deductibles or copays). It applies to individuals, spouses, and dependents seeking fertility care, including treatments like IVF, egg/sperm freezing, embryo transfers, and surrogacy costs. The law prohibits excluding coverage for infertility based on preexisting conditions, prior treatments, or arbitrary limits on the number of attempts. It specifically mandates coverage for 22 defined infertility services, including medical procedures and fertility preservation for those undergoing cancer treatment.

Maddy summarySB 273 amends Pennsylvania's Election Code to regulate recurring campaign contributions. It requires political candidates and committees to obtain clear, active consent from donors before setting up automatic recurring payments (like monthly credit card charges), prohibiting reliance on pre-checked boxes or passive actions. The law mandates immediate written receipts detailing terms, easy cancellation options in all communications, and refunds within 14 days if consent was not properly obtained. Violations carry penalties of up to $5,000 per incident or fines up to three times the improper contribution amount (if exceeding $1,000 and knowingly accepted without consent). The bill applies to recurring contributions solicited or accepted 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summarySB 268 amends Pennsylvania's Insurance Company Law to establish rules for calculating health insurance cost-sharing. It requires insurers and pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) to include all out-of-pocket payments made by insured individuals (or others on their behalf) when determining cost-sharing amounts like deductibles or copays. The law applies to health insurance policies issued, renewed, or entered into after its effective date, but excludes dental, vision, workers' compensation, and similar coverage types. This change directly affects health insurers, PBMs, and policyholders by standardizing how cost-sharing is calculated under health plans.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Pennsylvania state and county correctional facilities to provide free voice communication services (like phone calls) to all inmates. It mandates that facilities maintain at least the same level of access as on January 1, 2024, and ensure at least one operable phone device for every ten inmates in housing units or recreational areas. The bill prohibits charging inmates for communications, using services to replace in-person visits, or collecting fees from callers. It also appropriates $16.5 million for the 2025-2026 fiscal year (70% to the state, 30% to counties based on inmate population) to cover these costs.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 20) is a ceremonial statement honoring the 50th anniversary of the Philip Jaisohn Memorial Foundation on January 15, 2025. It recognizes the foundation’s 50-year work serving Philadelphia’s Korean immigrant community and expanding to support broader Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities through health services, senior employment training, advocacy, and cultural programs. The resolution also commemorates Dr. Philip Jaisohn, a pioneering Korean-American who became the first Korean immigrant to gain U.S. citizenship in 1890 and championed Korean independence efforts in the U.S. This is a symbolic gesture with no policy changes or direct impact on legislation.