Sen. Maria Collett

Maddy summaryPennsylvania Senate Bill 1332 requires political advertisements that use artificial intelligence or generative AI to clearly disclose this fact to the public. The law mandates that text-based ads display a visible statement with details about the content's origin, while audio or video ads must include an audible tagline at the beginning. Violations of this disclosure requirement can result in civil fines of up to $3,000, along with the payment of legal fees and court costs. The bill applies to all political ads produced after its effective date of 30 days.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates new legal protections against the deprivation of constitutional rights by prohibiting any individual or entity from infringing upon substantive due process or equal protection rights guaranteed by state and federal laws. It establishes that victims of such violations can file civil lawsuits to seek damages, injunctive relief, and civil penalties of up to $25,000 per violation, while also allowing the Attorney General or district attorneys to bring actions on behalf of the injured party. The legislation applies broadly to all persons, regardless of whether they are acting under official authority, and includes provisions for awarding attorney fees and costs to prevailing parties in these cases.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 314 designates the week of May 4 through 10, 2026, as Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week in Pennsylvania. This symbolic resolution aims to highlight the condition, which involves involuntary movements and can affect people taking long-term antipsychotic medications for mental health issues. The bill encourages the public and medical community to learn more about the symptoms of Tardive Dyskinesia and the importance of routine screening. It also urges individuals experiencing abnormal movements to consult their healthcare providers for evaluation.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires new large-scale warehouses and distribution centers in Pennsylvania to be built as "solar-ready," meaning their roofs must be designed to easily accommodate solar panels with at least 40% of the area free from obstructions. To enforce this, the Department of Environmental Protection must ensure new projects include specific structural and electrical features, such as reinforced roofs and pre-installed wiring pathways, while denying waivers based on general costs or market factors. The only way to avoid these requirements is to prove that unique site conditions, like severe shading or poor soil, make compliance technically impossible or excessively expensive, a claim that must be supported by detailed engineering reports and independent cost estimates. Additionally, the legislation provides for tax exemptions on eligible solar retrofit costs and establishes penalties for non-compliance.

Maddy summarySB 1014 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code of 1949 to require public schools to adopt a "bell-to-bell phone-free policy" during the entire school day. This policy directly affects all public K-12 schools and students by prohibiting the use of personal electronic devices during instructional time. The key provision mandates that schools establish and enforce this policy, though the bill does not specify exemptions or implementation details. The legislation focuses on reducing distractions in classrooms by limiting student phone access from the start to the end of the school day. It is currently pending in the Education committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's Capital Facilities Debt Enabling Act to clarify what counts as a "redevelopment assistance capital project" and sets specific rules for funding such projects. It directly affects local governments and developers seeking state-backed financing for infrastructure and community improvements by defining eligible projects as those that boost employment, generate tax revenue, and involve at least 50% non-State funding. The legislation excludes major public works like highways and sewage facilities but includes stormwater systems, tunnels, roads, hospitals, and housing developments that support economic activity, provided the total project cost is at least $1 million. Additionally, the bill removes a previous provision that allowed up to $50 million of state funds to be used specifically for constructing housing units. These changes take effect 60 days after the bill is enacted.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Emergency Medical Services providers in Pennsylvania to complete specific training on caring for individuals with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. The legislation mandates an initial three-hour course covering communication strategies, behavioral management, and recognizing signs of elder abuse, along with an annual one-hour continuing education requirement. The Department of Health will develop this curriculum in partnership with the Department of Aging, and providers who fail to meet these training standards may face certification sanctions. Additionally, the law includes a provision allowing providers who completed similar training within 18 months of the bill's effective date to waive the initial course requirement.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes Pennsylvania to join the Athletic Trainer Interstate Compact, allowing licensed athletic trainers to practice in other member states without obtaining separate licenses for each location. The legislation empowers the Governor and the Secretary of the Commonwealth to execute the agreement, which aims to improve public access to care, support military families, and reduce administrative burdens for professionals. Under the compact, a Pennsylvania athletic trainer with a valid, unencumbered license would receive a "compact privilege" to work in other participating states while still adhering to the patient's local laws and regulations. The agreement also establishes a commission to oversee the compact and facilitates the sharing of disciplinary and investigative information among member states to maintain public safety.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution officially designates the week of May 6 through 12, 2026, as Nurses Week in Pennsylvania. The measure aims to recognize the contributions of the state's large nursing workforce, which includes over 240,000 registered nurses and other licensed practitioners. By aligning with National Nurses Week, the resolution highlights the critical role nurses play in the Commonwealth's healthcare delivery system.

Maddy summaryThis bill prevents Pennsylvania local governments from setting rules that limit how many family members can live in a single home. It achieves this by amending state statutes to explicitly ban occupancy restrictions based on familial relationships, which include connections through blood, marriage, adoption, or foster care. While the law removes these specific family-based limits, it allows municipalities to still enforce occupancy rules if they are necessary for health, safety, fire codes, or wastewater standards. The changes become effective 60 days after the bill is passed.