Sen. Tina Tartaglione

Maddy summaryThis resolution honors the life of former State Senator Shirley M. Kitchen and expresses condolences on her passing. It recognizes her career as a social worker, activist, and legislator who served Philadelphia for 20 years, focusing on health care and affordable housing. The document outlines her personal background and public service achievements, including her role as the leader of the 20th Ward Democratic Executive Committee. By formally acknowledging her contributions, the Senate pays tribute to her legacy of community advocacy.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's Municipalities Planning Code to clarify definitions and streamline zoning rules for local governments. It mandates that municipalities allow accessory dwelling units, such as secondary living spaces on existing lots, in all areas where single-family homes are permitted. The legislation requires these units to be approved automatically within 14 days without a public hearing, provided they meet specific size and location criteria. Additionally, the bill ensures that no-impact home-based businesses are allowed by right in residential zones, subject to existing private land restrictions.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 738 amends the Older Adults Protective Services Act to create new requirements for financial institutions concerning the financial exploitation of older adults. It mandates that financial institution employees report suspected financial exploitation to a designated representative within two business days. If the representative finds reasonable cause, they must then report the suspected exploitation to the Department of Aging or an area agency on aging. This bill aims to establish a structured reporting system within financial institutions to protect older adults.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new chapter in Pennsylvania law to protect the personal data of current, former, and retired state officials, including the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, legislators, and judges. It specifically restricts data brokers from selling or sharing protected information such as home addresses, phone numbers, and Social Security numbers for monetary gain. The legislation defines who qualifies as a covered person and clarifies that information is only protected if it is not already publicly available through official government records or media. Additionally, the bill outlines enforcement mechanisms and provides for legal action to be taken by the affected officials or their authorized agents.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Pennsylvania Robotics Team Support Grant Program to provide financial assistance to K-12 school districts and intermediate units for their robotics teams. The program establishes a dedicated fund that will be initially seeded with $2.5 million from the state, along with future contributions and interest earnings. To qualify for grants, eligible applicants must demonstrate partnerships with local businesses or educational institutions, secure a 25% local match for the funding, and participate in both virtual and in-person robotics competitions. Awarded funds can be used for coaching stipends capped at $1,500 per school building, competition travel and materials, and bonuses for teams advancing to higher competition levels, with a maximum grant limit of $10,000 per team per year. The Department of Education will manage the application process and publish annual reports on grant usage and recipient information.

Maddy summarySB 1384 amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code to update definitions for tax benefits and introduce new rules for computer data centers. The bill explicitly prohibits the Department of Revenue from certifying any new computer data centers after its effective date. It also establishes a new certification program for the Governor's Responsible Infrastructure Development, which sets standards for clean firm energy, including specific requirements for solar, wind, and battery storage systems. Additionally, the legislation defines terms related to alternative compliance payments and clean hydrogen production to support these infrastructure standards.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution urges the United States Congress to pass the American High-Speed Rail Act. The bill aims to establish a framework for high-speed rail development in the U.S. by defining project parameters and encouraging public-private investment. Pennsylvania is highlighted as a key location that could benefit from these federal efforts due to its existing rail infrastructure and strategic position. Copies of the resolution are sent to federal lawmakers to advocate for the legislation.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution designates August 2026 as "Emergency Management Awareness Month" throughout Pennsylvania. The measure aims to recognize and encourage appreciation for the work of local and state emergency managers who prepare for and respond to disasters. It does not create new laws or funding but serves as a formal acknowledgment of the efforts made by these professionals to protect public safety.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services to replace existing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program cards with new chip-enabled versions by January 1, 2028. The new cards will be provided free of charge to eligible recipients and will include security features like tap-to-pay technology to help prevent benefit theft. The department is required to issue regular reports to state legislators on the progress of this transition and must conduct outreach to both vendors and recipients to explain the changes. Additionally, the law establishes procedures for distributing cards during emergencies and requires the department to seek additional federal funding by October 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law to explicitly ban "surveillance pricing," which is defined as setting customized prices for goods or services based on personal data gathered through technology like cameras, sensors, or third-party purchases. The legislation prohibits businesses from using such data to charge different prices to specific consumers unless they can prove the price difference is due to varying costs, public discounts available to broad groups like seniors or students, loyalty program rewards, or credit decisions based on standard credit reports. In addition to banning this practice, the bill increases civil penalties for violations to up to $3,000 per incident and allows individual consumers who suffer financial loss from these pricing tactics to file private lawsuits for damages.