Sen. Nick Miller

Maddy summarySB 804 amends Pennsylvania's health and safety laws to ban the intentional addition of DEHP and certain ortho-phthalates (like BBP, DBP, DINP) in medical devices. It specifically targets intravenous (IV) solution containers (like IV bags) and IV tubing used in hospitals and healthcare facilities. The bill prohibits manufacturers from adding these chemicals to medical devices if they serve a functional purpose, requiring notice of such additions. This affects device manufacturers and healthcare facilities purchasing these products, directly changing manufacturing standards for common medical equipment.

Maddy summarySB 979 would prevent property tax increases for minor home improvements (20% or less of a property’s current assessed value) on primary residences under specific conditions. The bill prohibits assessors from raising taxes if the home has been the owner’s primary residence for at least five years from the improvement date and this is the first time such minor improvements have been made during ownership. It also explicitly excludes normal repairs and painting from triggering tax reassessments. This bill directly affects homeowners in Pennsylvania making small renovations to their primary homes.

Maddy summarySB 124 (Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code amendment) allows Pennsylvania taxpayers to deduct up to $10,000 in unreimbursed expenses related to donating a human organ (such as liver, kidney, or bone marrow) for transplantation. The deduction covers travel, lodging, lost wages, and medical costs incurred during the donation, but only for the tax year the transplant occurred and only once per lifetime. It does not apply to tax years before 2025 and cannot reduce taxable income below zero. This provision directly affects individuals who donate organs and seek tax relief for associated costs.

Maddy summarySB 899 amends the state's Controlled Substance Act to update the schedules of controlled substances, classifying specific drugs into categories based on their medical use and potential for abuse. It directly affects pharmacies, healthcare providers, law enforcement, and patients who handle or prescribe these substances by changing their legal classifications. The bill's key mechanism involves modifying the existing schedule lists to reflect current medical knowledge and drug usage patterns, without adding new penalties or creating new regulatory requirements. This update ensures the scheduling framework aligns with current scientific understanding and medical practice.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Pennsylvania public schools to include scoliosis screening and examinations in their health programs for students in grades five, six, seven, and nine, as well as age-appropriate students in ungraded classes. The screening must be conducted by qualified personnel following guidelines from the Secretaries of Health and Education, with results added to each student's health record. Parents may opt their children out of the screening in writing, and students already under medical care for scoliosis are exempt from testing. Additionally, the bill repeals an existing state regulation regarding scoliosis screening to align with these new requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a Veterans' Trust Fund in Pennsylvania by adding fees collected from paid veterans' claims assistance providers and directs those funds to support grants for veterans' service officer programs. It establishes new registration and disclosure requirements for individuals and organizations that charge fees to help veterans with benefits claims, requiring them to register annually and provide clear written information about their services and compensation to veterans before working with them. The law exempts government employees, accredited representatives from recognized veterans' organizations, and nonprofit groups from these requirements while maintaining existing protections for free assistance sources.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's tax code to establish a new Innovate in PA tax credit program that allows qualified taxpayers to purchase tax credits to offset their insurance premiums tax liability. The program authorizes the sale of up to $350 million in tax credits, with a specific $200 million allocation for credits available starting in 2030, and requires that sales generate at least $200 million in revenue to proceed. Funds collected from these tax credit sales will be distributed to support life science research facilities, recruitment of researchers, and workforce development partnerships between companies and educational institutions. The legislation also defines key terms, sets rules for carrying over unused tax credits to future years, and establishes reporting requirements for the program's administration.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's vehicle laws to clarify definitions of speed-measuring technology, including LIDAR, RADAR, and other electronic devices, while establishing new rules for when local law enforcement can use these tools to enforce speed limits. It requires that convictions based on speed measurements from these devices only apply when the recorded speed is at least 10 miles per hour over the limit, or 6 miles per hour over if the limit exceeds 55 mph, with stricter rules applying in school zones and work zones. The legislation also mandates that local police departments must adopt ordinances authorizing RADAR use, that officers complete approved training before using these devices, and that they operate from clearly marked vehicles visible to the public. Additionally, the bill restricts the use of speed-measuring devices to time vehicles within 500 feet of certain speed limit signs, except in designated zones like school areas and work zones.

Maddy summarySB 782 allows Pennsylvania state retirees (annuitants) to work part-time as certified instructors in specific roles - such as police training, emergency medical services, or fire instruction - without losing their retirement annuity. The bill clarifies that service in these positions does not count toward additional retirement benefits, contributions, or creditable service under the state retirement system. This directly affects retirees employed in these approved educational roles at state institutions, schools, or agencies like the Pennsylvania State Fire Academy.

Maddy summarySB 802 creates a voluntary "communication impairment designation" for Pennsylvania drivers with conditions affecting communication (e.g., autism, aphasia). Drivers submit a medical professional's sworn statement, confirm voluntary disclosure, and provide emergency contact info to add a visible "i" symbol to their license. Law enforcement can access the designation and emergency contacts during traffic stops via secure networks, but specific medical details remain private and are not public records. The designation can be added, updated, or removed without fees (except standard license renewal costs), with penalties for fraudulent applications or misuse to avoid lawful orders.