Sen. Amanda Cappelletti

Maddy summarySB 876 establishes Pennsylvania's Home Preservation Grant Program, which provides funding to local governments (counties, cities, townships) to rehabilitate existing owner-occupied housing. The program requires grants to address habitability, improve energy/water efficiency, or increase accessibility for units owned by households earning no more than 120% of the area median income. Grants cannot exceed $50,000 per unit and may cover up to 10% of funds for administrative costs. Local governments must apply with detailed plans showing how funds will meet these requirements, with applications reviewed by the Department of Community and Economic Development.

Maddy summarySB 879 makes it unlawful in Pennsylvania to release helium-filled balloons (non-biodegradable or non-photodegradable) that could harm wildlife, livestock, or pets, directly affecting event organizers, businesses, and individuals who release such balloons. Exceptions include educational/research releases by institutions, hot air balloons recovered after launch, religious ceremonies with permits, and biodegradable balloons. Violators face a $5 civil penalty per balloon paid into the Game Fund, and the state must post notices online and install weather-resistant signs at state park/forest entrances. The law aims to protect wildlife from balloon hazards while allowing specific permitted uses.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 129) honors the late Pennsylvania State Representative Matthew R. Gergely and expresses condolences to his family following his death. It formally recognizes his life, career in McKeesport (including roles as City Administrator and Chief Revenue Officer), and service as a state representative for the 35th district. The resolution, adopted on June 23, 2025, directs the Senate to convey these condolences to his wife, children, and other surviving family members. It does not create any new policy or affect any laws.

Maddy summarySB 874 amends Pennsylvania's Election Code to change how incarcerated individuals are counted for redistricting. It requires that people in state or federal prisons (or juvenile facilities) be counted at their last known address in Pennsylvania - not at the facility location - when creating state legislative, congressional, and local district maps based on the federal census. The bill mandates that correctional and juvenile facilities collect and share data (including last known address, demographic details, and facility location) with redistricting bodies by June 1 each year ending in "1." This directly affects how Pennsylvania redraws voting districts, ensuring prison populations are not artificially inflated in the communities where facilities are located.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates June 23, 2025, as "Dravet Syndrome Awareness Day" in Pennsylvania. It formally recognizes Dravet syndrome - a rare, severe form of epilepsy affecting infants and children - and aims to raise public awareness about the condition. The resolution urges Pennsylvanians to learn about Dravet syndrome and support affected families, though it has no legal effect or funding provisions. It directly affects individuals and families living with Dravet syndrome, which impacts approximately 1 in 15,700 people and requires intensive care. The resolution aligns with International Dravet Syndrome Awareness Day but is purely ceremonial.

Maddy summarySB 872 replaces Pennsylvania’s temporary "Nonnarcotic Medication Assisted Substance Abuse Treatment Grant Pilot Program" with a permanent "Medication-Assisted Substance Abuse Treatment Grant Program" administered by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. The bill requires counties with correctional facilities offering substance abuse treatment to apply for grants, enabling them to provide medication-assisted treatment (MAT) combined with counseling to eligible offenders both during incarceration and after release. Key provisions mandate county assessments to identify suitable candidates, individualized treatment plans, access to MAT, and coordination with probation/parole, while requiring biennial reports to the legislature on program effectiveness. The law prioritizes nonnarcotic MAT funding and prohibits using grant money to replace existing programs.

Maddy summarySB 854 requires owners or managers of certain public buildings (like stadiums, airports, or large shopping centers), State-owned buildings, and health care facilities to install and maintain at least one accessible adult changing station. These stations must include a height-adjustable table meeting specific size and weight capacity standards (25x72 inches, 400-pound capacity) and be accessible to all genders. The requirement applies to new construction or major renovations (costing $20,000+) starting four years after the law's effective date, with immediate implementation for new buildings. The bill defines "public buildings" as those serving 1,500+ people daily (e.g., convention centers, movie theaters over 40,000 sq ft) and "health care facilities" as hospitals, nursing homes, or hospices.

Maddy summarySB 856, the Electronic Waste Recycling Modernization Act, creates a statewide system for recycling household electronics like computers, monitors, TVs, and printers. It requires manufacturers to pay an "eco-fee" on new device sales, which funds collection, transportation, and recycling through a state-managed clearinghouse. The bill sets minimum collection site requirements for communities, mandates manufacturer stewardship plans, and establishes an advisory committee to oversee implementation. Penalties apply for failing to meet recycling obligations or environmental standards. This directly affects electronics manufacturers, local governments handling collection, and consumers through the added fee on new devices.

Maddy summarySB 506 establishes Pennsylvania's Child Care Staff Recruitment and Retention Program within the Human Services Code. It provides qualified child care providers (like certified centers, family homes, or children's institutions with active subsidy agreements) with annual lump-sum payments to fund retention bonuses ($1,000 max per staff member) and recruitment bonuses ($1,000 max per new hire) for staff who directly supervise children. The program requires providers to apply within 45 days of posting, prohibits using funds to replace existing wages, and mandates annual reporting to the legislature on payments, locations, and applications. Providers must use funds strictly for staff bonuses within the fiscal year and maintain records for audits.

Maddy summarySB 870 amends Pennsylvania's military education programs to clarify eligibility and repayment rules for National Guard members and their families. It updates the definition of "approved program of education" to include more training options and refines eligibility criteria, such as requiring six years of service for full-time grants and adding specific rules for members discharged due to service-connected disabilities. The bill also revises recoupment (repayment) procedures, allowing proportional repayment if service obligations aren't met and expanding forgiveness for certain circumstances like medical discharge. These changes directly affect Pennsylvania National Guard members and their families using the Educational Assistance Program and Military Family Education Program. The bill focuses on streamlining program administration without altering benefit amounts or funding.