Sen. Amanda Cappelletti

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution designates June 2026 as "Aphasia Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania to highlight the challenges faced by individuals with aphasia, a communication disorder often caused by stroke or brain injury. The measure aims to increase public understanding of the condition, which affects approximately 75,000 residents in the state, and encourages community support and advocacy. As a symbolic gesture, the bill does not create new laws or funding but serves to draw attention to the need for resources and awareness regarding this language impairment.

Maddy summarySB 270 amends Pennsylvania's Milk Sanitation Law to ban the online sale of human milk. The bill specifically prohibits selling or offering human milk via the internet, including through classified advertisements or direct transactions between individuals. This directly affects online sellers and buyers of human milk, adding a new restriction to the existing law that previously regulated physical milk sales. The amendment takes effect 90 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution formally recognizes May 2026 as Mental Health Awareness Month in Pennsylvania to highlight the importance of mental health for all residents. The bill does not change any laws or require specific actions but serves as a symbolic gesture to raise awareness about mental health challenges. It also expresses the Senate's support for policies that promote mental health resources, education, and treatment with parity to physical health coverage.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Commission for Career and Technical Education Excellence to oversee programs and report on industry trends, while also establishing a grant program to fund equipment for youth camps and pre-apprenticeship initiatives in community colleges. The new commission will be made up of state officials and representatives from various industry and education groups, who will meet to develop guidelines and submit annual reports to the Governor and legislature. Additionally, the legislation directs community colleges to partner with state agencies to offer annual construction and building trades camps for seventh and eighth-grade students, supported by specific grants for purchasing necessary equipment.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Equal Employment for All Act, prohibits employers in Pennsylvania from using credit reports to make hiring or firing decisions, with specific exceptions for national security roles, certain government jobs, financial institution executives, and cases required by law. The law aims to prevent discrimination based on an individual's creditworthiness, credit standing, or credit capacity during the employment process. Any violation of these restrictions will be treated as an unlawful discriminatory practice under the existing Pennsylvania Human Relations Act and will be enforced through that same legal framework.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires electric utilities and their contractors to provide automated external defibrillators at all worksites where lineworkers perform electrical tasks. It mandates that these devices be available and functional at both permanent and temporary locations, while also requiring basic CPR and AED training for workers and crew leaders. The legislation assigns the Department of Labor and Industry the duty to establish maintenance and inspection standards for the equipment. Additionally, the bill extends Good Samaritan protections to individuals who use these devices in good faith, shielding them from liability.

Maddy summaryThis resolution directs the Joint State Government Commission to study Pennsylvania's outdated electric bicycle laws and provide recommendations for updates. The study will focus on rider and pedestrian safety, infrastructure improvements, and permitting rules that account for modern e-bike capabilities like higher power and cargo capacity. The commission must submit its findings and suggestions to the Senate by one year after the resolution is adopted. This measure does not change current laws but initiates a review process to address the growing popularity and technological advancements of electric bicycles.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows individuals who have recently received protection from abuse relief or experienced verified abuse in the last four months to get free copies of important state documents. Specifically, it removes fees for corrected or duplicate driver's licenses, birth certificates, and other identification documents for qualifying victims and their dependents. The law requires that abuse be verified through statements from professionals like doctors, lawyers, or victim service providers, and it mandates that state agencies create clear application processes and standardized forms for these requests.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 323 formally congratulates The Pennsylvania State University wrestling team on winning its 14th NCAA Division I Championship and honors Pennsylvania athletes who placed in both the men's and inaugural women's wrestling championships. The resolution highlights the team's historic dominance by citing specific records, such as setting a new tournament scoring record and producing multiple All-American wrestlers under head coach Cael Sanderson. It also recognizes individual achievements, including awards won by wrestlers like Mitchell Mesenbrink and the strong performance of Pennsylvania-native athletes across the tournament.

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.