Sen. Tina Tartaglione

Maddy summarySB 845 requires commercial marinas and boat docks in Pennsylvania to implement electrical safety measures to prevent shock hazards. It mandates annual inspections by licensed electricians starting January 2025, installation of ground-fault protection (limiting electrical leakage to 100 milliamperes), and posting permanent warning signs stating "ELECTRIC SHOCK HAZARD RISK: NO SWIMMING WITHIN 100 YARDS" near water. These rules apply to facilities offering services for remuneration (e.g., rental, repairs), excluding privately owned docks used solely by owners or guests. The requirements take effect 60 days after enactment, with new electrical systems needing compliance after July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates June 9-13, 2025, as "Union Organizing Week" in Pennsylvania. It symbolically honors workers who advocate for collective bargaining rights and fair workplace conditions, without creating new laws or altering existing policies. The resolution acknowledges the role of unions in improving wages, safety, and equity while recognizing workers' right to choose unionization. It is purely ceremonial and does not affect employers, workers, or labor regulations.

Maddy summarySB 841 requires home health care agencies, home care registries, and their direct care workers (including those in Pennsylvania's Community Health Choices Program) to complete dementia-specific training. It mandates four hours of initial training and two hours of annual continued training covering Alzheimer's care, person-centered approaches, and dementia-related behaviors. Agencies must maintain documentation of this training in employee files and use department-approved curricula. The Department of Health will develop implementing regulations within one year, with the law taking effect 60 days after passage.

Maddy summaryPennsylvania's SB 612, the Menstrual Equity Act, requires specific public entities to provide free disposable menstrual products (like tampons and pads) in restrooms without stigma. It directly affects schools, colleges, correctional facilities, homeless shelters, government offices offering public services (e.g., unemployment assistance), and armories. The law mandates these locations make products available at no cost starting July 1, 2025, with state secretaries overseeing implementation. Key provisions focus on accessibility and eliminating cost barriers for people who menstruate in these settings.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates August 31, 2025, as "Overdose Awareness Day" in Pennsylvania. It requests the Governor to issue a proclamation encouraging public officials and residents to observe the day through appropriate activities, and to order flags flown at half-staff. The resolution aims to raise awareness about drug overdoses, reduce stigma around substance use, and acknowledge the impact of overdose deaths on families and communities. It does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic recognition of the overdose crisis.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates June 10, 2025, as "Delco Day" in Pennsylvania to honor Delaware County's community spirit and annual charitable event. It recognizes the "Delco Day" celebration, which unites residents to raise funds for local charities - specifically supporting the HEADstrong Foundation's "Nick's House," providing free housing for cancer patients and families seeking treatment in the Philadelphia area. The resolution is ceremonial and does not create new laws or funding.

Maddy summarySB 839 requires Pennsylvania public schools to incorporate media literacy education into K-12 curricula. The bill mandates the Department of Education to develop an age-appropriate model curriculum within 12 months, covering critical thinking about media messages, bias, misinformation, marketing tactics, and perspective gaps. School districts must implement this curriculum starting the school year after the bill takes effect. The Department must also provide free online resources and teacher training on media literacy.

Maddy summarySB 833, the Right-to-Repair Act, requires manufacturers (OEMs) of digital electronic equipment sold in Pennsylvania after July 1, 2022, to provide owners and independent repair shops with repair documentation, parts, and tools on fair and reasonable terms. This includes free access to manuals, diagrams, and tools (with minor fees only for physical copies), and parts at costs equivalent to those offered to authorized repair providers. The law excludes medical devices, motor vehicles, security systems, and video game consoles from its requirements. It directly affects consumers who repair their own devices and independent repair businesses, aiming to reduce manufacturer control over repair processes.

Maddy summarySB 834 adds a simple option on Pennsylvania driver's license and ID card applications for applicants to learn about joining the national bone marrow and blood cell donor registry. The state will include a link to the National Marrow Donor Program's website during the application process, allowing applicants to explore voluntary enrollment. This affects all Pennsylvanians applying for or renewing licenses, though signing up does not legally obligate them to donate if matched later. The bill requires a partnership between the state and the donor program to implement this information-sharing mechanism.

Maddy summarySB 307 establishes Pennsylvania's Purple Alert System to notify the public about missing persons with intellectual disabilities who are at risk of harm. The Pennsylvania State Police will operate the system, activating it when law enforcement determines a missing person has an intellectual disability (defined as significantly subaverage intellectual functioning with limitations in daily living skills like communication or self-care), is at risk due to health conditions, and sufficient location details are available. The bill also extends existing immunity protections to people assisting those identified in Purple Alert notifications, similar to the Amber Alert System. This policy directly affects individuals with intellectual disabilities who go missing and law enforcement agencies that can trigger the alerts.