Sen. Maria Collett

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 223 designates January 27, 2026, as "International Holocaust Remembrance Day" in Pennsylvania, aligning with the United Nations' designation of the same date. The resolution honors Holocaust victims and promotes educational efforts to prevent future genocides, as stated in its preamble. This symbolic recognition does not create new legal requirements or affect specific groups, but serves to affirm Pennsylvania's commitment to remembering the Holocaust and rejecting denial of this historical event.

Maddy summarySB 293 requires the Departments of Labor and Industry and Community and Economic Development to prepare a report examining how artificial intelligence affects the workforce. The report must cover AI's impact on jobs, worker training needs, and economic opportunities across different sectors. This bill directly affects state agencies by imposing a specific duty to study and document these AI-related workforce trends. It does not create new regulations but mandates a factual analysis to inform future policy decisions. The bill is currently in committee review, with no votes taken yet.

Maddy summarySB 1139, the Police and Community Safety Act, prohibits Pennsylvania state and local law enforcement agencies from using their resources (including funds, facilities, or personnel) to assist federal immigration enforcement. It bans officers from inquiring about an individual's immigration status except when required by federal law (such as for gun purchases under 18 U.S.C. § 922(d)(5)) and prevents agencies from detaining individuals for immigration purposes. The bill aims to build trust between immigrant communities and law enforcement to improve public safety, directly affecting all local police departments, sheriff's offices, and school security in Pennsylvania.

Maddy summarySB 1140 amends Pennsylvania’s National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline Notification Act to expand training requirements for businesses directly involved in lodging or short-term rentals. It requires hotels, motels, and similar public lodging establishments (offering >10 rooms) to provide human trafficking awareness training to all employees and third-party contractors managing staff who access guest areas. Short-term rental operators and platforms listing such rentals must also implement training for their workers. The bill mandates training completion within 90 days of hire or the law’s effective date, with valid training lasting two years, while allowing prior training to count if completed within the past year.

Maddy summarySB 1148 amends Pennsylvania's Human Relations Act to strengthen housing accommodations for renters with disabilities. It requires landlords to permit reasonable modifications to rental units at the tenant's expense (with restoration requirements), grant accommodation requests within 10 days, and allow tenants to terminate leases without fees if accommodations are denied. The law applies to all rental agreements executed or renewed after the bill's effective date, protecting both current tenants who develop disabilities during their lease and new tenants with disabilities. Landlords cannot waive these rights through lease terms or charge fees for tenants exercising these protections.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 209) symbolically designates January 27, 2026, as "International Holocaust Remembrance Day" in Pennsylvania. It recognizes the UN-established date (January 27) commemorating the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau and honors Holocaust victims, while affirming the importance of remembering the Holocaust to prevent future genocide and condemn intolerance. As a commemorative resolution, it has no binding legal effect and does not impose new requirements or alter existing laws.

Maddy summarySB 1134 amends Pennsylvania law to require a 60-day public process before filling judicial vacancies (for Supreme Court, appellate, common pleas, or magisterial district judges). It mandates that after a vacancy occurs, the Governor must: (1) solicit applications for 30 days, (2) publish applicant materials (with personal details redacted) online for 30 days to allow public comment, and (3) submit a nominee to the Senate for confirmation. Senate confirmation requires two-thirds approval for higher courts and a simple majority for magisterial district judges. The bill does not change the appointment term length or the Governor’s final selection authority.

Maddy summarySB 1135 allows Pennsylvania feed manufacturers to use industrial hemp (with less than 0.3% THC) in commercial animal feed for pets, horses, and nonproduction animals. It requires the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture to establish rules for labeling, testing, and recordkeeping of hemp in feed, while coordinating with federal hemp regulations if applicable. The bill directly affects feed producers and the state's agricultural regulatory system by creating new oversight requirements. This law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summarySB 1113 requires health care facilities, insurers, and Medicaid Advantage/CHIP managed care plans in Pennsylvania to disclose when artificial intelligence (AI) is used for clinical decision making or patient communications. Facilities must provide clear disclosures in writing, on their public website, and include disclaimers for AI-generated communications with instructions to contact a human provider. The bill exempts routine administrative tasks (like scheduling or billing) and communications reviewed by a human from these disclosure rules. It imposes duties on the Departments of Health, Insurance, and Human Services to enforce compliance and sets penalties for violations.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania Senate resolution (SR 206) designates the week of January 18-25, 2026, as "Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Holiday Week" in the state. It is a commemorative resolution with no binding requirements, urging Pennsylvanians to reflect on Dr. King's legacy and commitment to equality during that week. The resolution does not create new laws or affect specific groups, as it solely serves to honor Dr. King's historical contributions.