Sen. Jarrett Coleman

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates the week of November 23-29, 2025, as "Pennsylvania Week of Prayer and Thanksgiving." It is a ceremonial measure with no binding legal effect, intended to recognize and encourage observance of this period. The resolution directly affects Pennsylvania state government and citizens by formally acknowledging this week for prayer and thanksgiving activities. It does not create new laws, alter policies, or impact specific groups or programs.

Maddy summarySB 1049 updates Pennsylvania's vehicle title transfer rules for salvage and scrap processing. It clarifies procedures when vehicles are sold to salvage dealers or scrap metal processors, specifically addressing how ownership transfers occur. The bill also adjusts how security interests (like liens) are handled during these transfers, ensuring clearer processes for dealers, processors, and vehicle owners. This directly affects businesses in the salvage and scrap industries and individuals selling damaged or end-of-life vehicles.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Pennsylvania state agencies to review every program from scratch every five years, starting in 2026. Agencies must justify each program's existence, detail costs for minimum vs. current service levels, and assess impacts if discontinued, except for classroom teaching, curriculum, and direct student services in public schools. The Secretary of the Budget will oversee this process, mandating detailed plans from agencies to ensure transparency and accountability in spending. It aims to replace incremental budgeting with a system that evaluates all programs based on current needs rather than historical spending.

Maddy summaryPennsylvania's SB 583 would authorize the state to join the Social Work Licensure Compact, enabling licensed social workers to practice across participating states without obtaining separate licenses in each. This directly affects social workers seeking to provide services in multiple states, including military families and those addressing workforce shortages. The bill establishes a framework for mutual recognition of licenses, reducing duplicate application requirements and disciplinary information sharing between states. Key provisions include allowing "Multistate Authorization to Practice" and requiring states to hold social workers accountable for adhering to the laws of the state where services are delivered. The compact aims to increase access to social work services while maintaining state regulatory authority over licensure.

Maddy summarySB 241 requires Pennsylvania's Liquor Control Board to automatically expunge citations issued to retail liquor licensees (such as restaurants, hotels, and clubs) for failing to follow pandemic-related health orders during the Governor's emergency period (March 2020 to end of emergency). It applies specifically to violations of executive actions, Health Secretary orders, or Department guidance related to COVID-19 protocols. The Board must remove these citations within 30 days at no cost to the business, providing written notice of the expungement. This policy change directly affects businesses that received such citations during the pandemic emergency.

Maddy summarySB 957, the Blood Transparency and Patient Rights Act, gives patients the right to choose their own stored blood (autologous donation) or blood from designated donors (directed donation) for transfusions. It requires hospitals and blood providers to disclose the vaccination status of blood donors to patients upon request and include this information in informed consent forms before transfusions. The law applies to all patients receiving blood transfusions in Pennsylvania medical facilities, with exceptions only in life-threatening emergencies where consent cannot be obtained. The Department of Health must create regulations for standardized consent forms and public education about these options, effective 180 days after enactment.

Maddy summarySB 961, the Freedom in Public Contracting Act, prohibits Pennsylvania state and local governments from requiring contractors on public works projects to use union-represented workers, pay union dues, recognize unions, or follow specific apprenticeship or wage/benefit programs. It directly affects contractors bidding on government construction projects (like roads or buildings) by banning discriminatory contract terms based on union status or participation in union programs. The law allows affected contractors to sue a government body in court to stop violations and seek damages or legal fees. It takes effect 60 days after enactment, with exceptions only for federally mandated prevailing wages or state minimum wage laws.

Maddy summarySB 948 requires Pennsylvania electric distribution companies to annually report specific data to the state utility commission about their ability to manage emergency power reductions (load shedding). The bill mandates details on how load shedding impacts different customer groups, technical limitations, identification of vital customers (like those needing medical equipment), and measures to minimize disruptions for critical facilities. The commission must then compile an annual report summarizing this data for lawmakers, the governor, and consumer advocates. This bill directly affects all electric distribution companies operating in Pennsylvania, focusing on transparency during grid emergencies without requiring the commission to approve utility plans.

Maddy summarySB 937 requires Pennsylvania's Department of Community and Economic Development to publicly post a monthly log of hospitality provided using funds from the Sports, Marketing and Tourism Account. The log must include the recipient's name, address, employer, event details, description, and estimated value of the hospitality. This applies to Commonwealth officials, employees, and their guests who receive hospitality for tourism-related purposes. The bill directly affects how state tourism funds are spent, mandating transparency about hospitality expenses to the public.

Maddy summarySB 245 establishes Pennsylvania's Regulatory Sandbox Program, allowing businesses to temporarily test innovative products and services - such as those using blockchain technology - in regulated sectors like finance and insurance without full compliance with certain state laws. The program is administered by the new Regulatory Relief Office (within the Governor's Office), which reviews applications and works with agencies to waive or suspend relevant regulations for approved participants. An advisory committee, including business representatives and legislators, provides input and can override agency rejections of applications. This directly affects businesses developing new offerings who seek a controlled environment to demonstrate innovations before full market rollout.