Sen. Tina Tartaglione

Maddy summarySB 640 amends Pennsylvania's Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law to require that businesses selling event tickets, lodging, or food delivery services display the total price - including all mandatory fees - clearly and conspicuously when a consumer first views the product or service. This applies specifically to platforms like hotel booking sites, ticket resellers, and food delivery apps, but excludes direct restaurant deliveries. The law mandates that this total price must be visible before purchase, ensuring consumers see all costs upfront without hidden fees (except government taxes). The bill defines key terms for these platforms to clarify enforcement and aligns with existing consumer protection standards.

Maddy summarySB 621 prohibits Pennsylvania businesses from deducting taxes for expenses related to opposing unionization efforts. It specifically blocks deductions for costs tied to National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) complaints, anti-union meetings with employees, or labor law violations. The law applies to corporations and business entities operating in Pennsylvania, including foreign companies. Exceptions allow deductions for legitimate communications with union representatives or shareholders. This changes tax treatment for anti-union activities without altering labor law.

Maddy summarySB 619 requires all coaches and school staff supervising athletic or school activities in Pennsylvania to complete annual sudden cardiac arrest training and maintain biennial CPR/AED certifications through approved organizations like the American Heart Association. It directly affects school coaches, athletic staff, and supervisors of school-sponsored activities (including practices, competitions, and noncompetitive cheerleading). Schools must document and publicly share each staff member’s certification status. The bill amends the Public School Code to standardize emergency response training for all school activities, without introducing medical testing requirements.

Maddy summaryThis resolution recognizes April 9, 2025, as "Appomattox Day" in Pennsylvania to honor the April 9, 1865, Confederate surrender at Appomattox, Virginia, which ended the Civil War and led to emancipation. It cites historical accounts of enslaved people gaining freedom and references Frederick Douglass's writings on the conflict's significance. The resolution urges Pennsylvania to designate Appomattox Day as a legal holiday but does not create the holiday itself.

Maddy summarySB 620 requires all Pennsylvania public and charter schools to install at least one automated external defibrillator (AED) in each K-12 school building or facility by the 2025-2026 school year. Schools must place AEDs in accessible, centrally located spots with clear signage, register them with the National AED Registry and local emergency services, and conduct regular inspections to ensure functionality. The bill mandates that at least 10% of school staff be certified in CPR and AED use (renewing every two years) and requires schools to develop cardiac emergency response plans and publicly report AED maintenance records. This applies to all schools hosting students or school activities, with specific accessibility standards to comply with disability laws.

Maddy summarySB 623 amends Pennsylvania law to clarify definitions related to emergency responders and telecommunicators across multiple statutes. It adds a specific definition for "telecommunicator" (including call takers, dispatchers, and supervisors at public safety answering points) and expands the definition of "emergency responder" to explicitly include telecommunicators, physicians, nurses, public health workers, and other professionals in emergency response roles. The bill does not create new programs or funding but standardizes terminology to ensure consistent application of existing laws. It directly affects emergency service personnel, public safety agencies, and the legal framework governing their roles. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 79) formally recognizes April 12, 2025, as the 161st anniversary of the Fort Pillow Massacre - a 1864 Civil War battle where Confederate forces killed approximately 300 Union soldiers (including about 200 Black soldiers) after they surrendered. It commemorates the event through a symbolic Senate resolution, with no new policy or funding changes. The resolution highlights historical facts about the massacre, including the disproportionately high death rate among Black Union soldiers and its impact on prisoner exchanges. As a commemorative resolution, it does not directly affect any individuals or enact new laws.

Maddy summarySB 622 modifies Pennsylvania's Insurance Company Law of 1921 to change how non-network emergency medical services (EMS) agencies bill insurers and patients. It requires EMS agencies to submit an annual form by October 15 to receive direct payments from insurers, with the Department of Health maintaining a public registry of these agreements. The bill prohibits EMS agencies from billing patients directly when insurers pay at network rates (except for copayments/deductibles) and bans suggesting donations will avoid billing. These changes apply specifically to insurers covering emergency medical services under health insurance policies, excluding certain types like homeowner's or fixed indemnity insurance.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's drug and cosmetic law to require clearer labeling on oral medications. It adds specific definitions for common food allergens (like milk, eggs, peanuts, and soy) and gluten-containing grains (wheat, rye, barley, oats). The key change mandates that any oral drug containing ingredients derived from these allergens or gluten grains must label the specific ingredient and the source grain (e.g., "contains wheat"). This directly affects drug manufacturers and pharmacies in Pennsylvania, requiring updated labeling for affected products. The law takes effect two years after enactment.

Maddy summarySB 629 requires food manufacturers selling products in Pennsylvania to clearly label items containing gluten with specific content information and health warnings. It mandates that labels state the gluten content and include a warning about risks for people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. The bill also establishes standards for "gluten-free" labeling, requiring products to contain less than 20 parts per million gluten or be processed to remove gluten. These rules apply to all food sold in Pennsylvania, supplementing existing federal labeling requirements.