Sen. Lisa Boscola

Maddy summarySB 114 updates Pennsylvania's Nurse Aide Resident Abuse Prevention Training Act to strengthen training standards for nurse aides working in long-term care facilities. It requires the state department to develop a specific long-term care curriculum, set qualifications for instructors (including RN supervision and facility experience), and establish a train-the-trainer program. The bill also creates three pathways to become a certified nurse aide, including completing approved training with a competency exam (offering remote written testing options), graduating from nursing programs, or meeting equivalent requirements. Additionally, it prohibits the department from imposing waiting periods before online training can be offered in approved programs. These changes directly affect nurse aides, long-term care facilities, and training programs across Pennsylvania.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 147) designates September 19, 2025, as "POW/MIA Recognition Day" within the state of Pennsylvania. It formally recognizes this date for observance of prisoners of war and missing in action service members. As a ceremonial resolution, it does not create new laws or alter existing policies; it solely establishes a day of official recognition for the state. The resolution is currently referred to the Rules & Executive Nominations committee.

Maddy summarySR 140 designates September 2025 as "Childhood Cancer Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania. This resolution does not create new laws or requirements but formally recognizes the month to promote public awareness about childhood cancer. It encourages state agencies, community organizations, and the public to host educational events and support initiatives during September 2025. The resolution serves as a symbolic gesture by the Pennsylvania legislature to highlight the issue and support affected families.

Maddy summarySR 135 is a Senate resolution honoring Pennsylvania veterans on Veterans Day, November 11, 2025. It formally recognizes all Pennsylvania veterans who served during wartime and peacetime, acknowledging their contributions to national security. The resolution encourages communities across Pennsylvania to hold ceremonies on that date to honor approximately 700,000 current Pennsylvania residents who have served in the armed forces. As a commemorative resolution, it does not create new laws or policies but serves as a symbolic gesture of appreciation.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates the week of August 17-23, 2025, as "Social Media Safety and Parental Awareness Week" in Pennsylvania. It aims to raise awareness about online child exploitation, citing statistics such as a 192% increase in online enticement cases (546,000 in 2024) and 1 in 5 teens experiencing sextortion. The resolution encourages educational programming and public awareness efforts to protect minors from social media risks as students return to school, without creating new laws or enforcement mechanisms. It is a non-binding symbolic gesture focused on community education, not a policy change.

Maddy summarySB 945 bans the commercial trade of parts or products from 24 specific endangered or threatened species (including elephants, rhinos, sharks, and sea turtles) in Pennsylvania. It prohibits purchasing, selling, or possessing such items with intent to sell, affecting businesses and individuals involved in wildlife trafficking. Key exceptions include government law enforcement, antiques over 100 years old with documentation, musical instruments containing small amounts of protected parts, and educational permits. Violations face civil penalties ranging from $5,000 to $20,000 based on the item's value and whether it's a first or repeat offense. The law aims to combat illegal wildlife trade while allowing limited legal uses like scientific research.

Maddy summarySB 950 requires pet cremation providers in Pennsylvania to clearly explain service options to pet owners and intermediaries (like veterinarians or pet shops). It mandates written disclosures detailing three cremation types: private (single pet, ashes returned), individual-partitioned (multiple pets separated, ashes returned), and communal (multiple pets, no ashes returned). Providers must also certify returned ashes and maintain records for five years. The law directly affects pet owners, cremation providers, and businesses handling pet remains, aiming to prevent confusion and ensure transparency in pet cremation services.

Maddy summarySB 927 requires Pennsylvania cyber charter schools to conduct weekly real-time check-ins with each enrolled student to verify participation and ensure well-being. Specifically, schools must ensure students are visibly seen and communicated with by staff (via webcam or in person) at least once per week during instructional days. This applies only to cyber charter schools, not traditional public or brick-and-mortar schools. The requirement can be met during synchronous online classes when students turn on their webcams. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summarySB 875 creates a "clean slate" provision for individuals who successfully complete Pennsylvania's motivational boot camp program. It allows their criminal history records to become "limited access" for 3 years (misdemeanors) or 5 years (felonies) after program completion, provided they have no new convictions, paid all restitution, and completed the program. This means most background checks would not reveal these records during the limited access period. The bill specifically applies to participants who meet eligibility criteria under the motivational boot camp program, excluding those with certain serious offenses or enhancements. The Department of Corrections must certify successful completion to courts to trigger this record access change.

Maddy summarySB 929 proposes a constitutional amendment to end school districts' authority to levy real property taxes after June 30, 2029. It directly affects Pennsylvania school districts, requiring the state to replace their lost property tax revenue through new state or local income, sales, or service taxes. The bill mandates that the General Assembly annually fund school districts at levels matching their pre-2029 property tax collections, depositing new tax revenue into a dedicated "Stabilization of Education Fund" exclusively for school support. It explicitly prohibits any future real property taxes and prevents diversion of funds from the stabilization account.