Sen. Maria Collett

Maddy summarySB 406 creates workplace health and safety committees at Pennsylvania meat packing and food processing facilities employing 100+ workers, directly affecting large facilities covered by meat hygiene laws or food safety regulations. It requires employers to provide language-appropriate safety training on health risks, workers' compensation rights, and committee details to new hires, and mandates paid training time. The bill establishes a workers' rights coordinator in the Department of Labor to oversee compliance and imposes penalties for violations. Employers must also cover out-of-pocket emergency medical transportation costs for work-related injuries requiring immediate care. The law aims to improve workplace safety through joint worker-management committees, regular hazard inspections, and clearer worker protections.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 1360, titled the "So Every BODY Can Move Act," requires health insurance policies in Pennsylvania to cover prostheses and custom orthotics for enrollees. The bill mandates that insurers provide these devices in a nondiscriminatory manner and allows patients to choose their own licensed providers for determination and prescription. Additionally, the legislation assigns duties to the Insurance Department and the Department of Human Services to oversee financial requirements, issue necessary notices, and enforce compliance with the new coverage rules.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution designates June 15, 2026, as "World Elder Abuse Awareness Day" in Pennsylvania to highlight the issue of elder abuse. The measure does not change any laws or create new programs but serves as a formal recognition to draw attention to the rising number of abuse reports and the vulnerability of older adults. By acknowledging this specific date, the resolution aims to encourage the public and officials to focus on safeguarding the well-being of the state's aging population.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Election Code to update procedures for absentee and mail-in voting and to provide funding for election integrity. It clarifies the definition of "pre-canvass" to include preparing ballots for scanning while explicitly excluding the examination of unopened envelopes or the recording of votes. The legislation sets specific timeframes and notice requirements for county boards of elections when pre-canvassing ballots before an election and canvassing them afterward, while allowing candidate and party representatives to observe these meetings. Additionally, it establishes that challenges to the approval of absentee ballot applications can only be based on voter qualifications, not on whether the applicant chose an absentee or mail-in ballot form.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law to specifically regulate how businesses collect and handle reproductive and sexual health data. It requires companies to obtain consumer consent, limit data collection to what is necessary for specific services, and provide clear options for users to access or delete this sensitive information. Additionally, the legislation restricts sharing this data with third parties unless there is valid consent or a legal mandate, while also establishing a process for the Attorney General to issue violation notices before taking enforcement action.

Maddy summarySB 1349, known as the Digital Provenance Act, requires large online platforms and major AI tool providers in Pennsylvania to clearly label images, videos, and audio created or altered by generative artificial intelligence. These covered entities must embed a permanent, machine-readable label in their synthetic content that identifies the specific AI system used and the date of creation, while also offering a free public tool for users to verify the authenticity of digital media. The law imposes strict privacy rules on these providers, prohibiting them from collecting personal data through their verification tools and mandating that any uploaded content be deleted once the verification process is complete. Additionally, the Bureau of Consumer Protection in the Office of Attorney General will be tasked with enforcing these transparency requirements and can impose penalties for non-compliance.

Maddy summarySB 803, the First-Time Homebuyer Savings Account Act, creates a program allowing Pennsylvania residents who have never owned a home (first-time homebuyers) to open tax-advantaged savings accounts. The Treasury Department will administer the program using existing structures (like the ABLE Program), enabling account holders to save for down payments and closing costs on single-family homes. Funds in the accounts can only be used for eligible home purchase expenses, with the program funded by account contributions and earnings - not state debt. This bill directly affects first-time homebuyers seeking to save for homeownership within Pennsylvania.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Commission for Career and Technical Education Excellence to oversee programs and report on industry trends, while also establishing a grant program to fund equipment for youth camps and pre-apprenticeship initiatives in community colleges. The new commission will be made up of state officials and representatives from various industry and education groups, who will meet to develop guidelines and submit annual reports to the Governor and legislature. Additionally, the legislation directs community colleges to partner with state agencies to offer annual construction and building trades camps for seventh and eighth-grade students, supported by specific grants for purchasing necessary equipment.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Insurance Company Law to establish a direct billing system for nonnetwork emergency medical services (EMS) agencies. It requires insurers to directly reimburse these agencies for dispatched 911 services at a rate of 350% of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services published rate, rather than billing patients directly. The legislation mandates that insurers pay these agencies within 45 days and prohibits them from forcing EMS agencies to sign contracts to receive this reimbursement. Additionally, the bill creates a public registry to track which EMS agencies are eligible for direct payment and restricts how these agencies can solicit donations related to billing practices.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance companies in Pennsylvania to cover fertility preservation services for individuals facing medically necessary cancer treatments that could cause infertility. The law mandates that insurers include storage for at least three years at an in-network facility and allows a lifetime maximum benefit of up to $100,000 per person, while still permitting standard policy terms like copayments and deductibles. Religious employers may request an exemption from these coverage requirements if the services conflict with their beliefs, though they must notify enrollees and allow individuals to purchase supplemental coverage at their own expense.