Sen. Tina Tartaglione

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all Pennsylvania public schools to install panic alert systems in every building where students receive instruction during the school day. These systems must silently notify local law enforcement directly during security emergencies like active threats or lockdowns, with activation via devices such as buttons or apps. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, and is named Alyssa's Law. It applies specifically to public elementary, middle, and high school campuses, not private or parochial schools.

Maddy summarySB 486 amends Pennsylvania's procurement laws to add new reasons for barring state contractors from future contracts. It specifically prohibits state agencies from awarding contracts to businesses that violate wage laws (like the Wage Payment and Collection Law), misclassify employees as independent contractors (violating laws covering workers' compensation, unemployment insurance, taxes, or construction misclassification), or breach workers' compensation rules. This directly affects businesses seeking or holding state government contracts by expanding the grounds for debarment. The bill updates existing debarment rules to include these specific labor and wage violations, making them automatic disqualifiers for state contracting. It takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summarySB 211 allows Pennsylvania individual income tax filers to voluntarily contribute $1 or more to fire and emergency medical services grant programs by designating the amount on their state tax return. The contribution is deducted from any tax refund owed, not from tax revenue, and the Department of Revenue transfers the collected funds (minus administrative costs) to a restricted account for grants administered by the Office of State Fire Commissioner. This applies to all Pennsylvania taxpayers filing individual income tax returns, directly supporting fire companies and EMS providers through state grant programs. The bill takes effect for tax years ending after December 31, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis resolution recognizes April 29, 2025, as "World Wish Day" in Pennsylvania to honor the Make-A-Wish Foundation's 45th anniversary and its work granting wishes to children with critical illnesses. It does not create new laws or funding but formally acknowledges the Foundation's impact, including over 700 wishes granted to Pennsylvania children in 2024. The resolution serves as a symbolic gesture supporting the Foundation's mission, which has granted over 585,000 wishes worldwide since 1980.

Maddy summaryThis resolution symbolically designates April 2025 as "Sexual Assault Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania. It recognizes the national observance and highlights statistics on sexual violence (e.g., 1 in 5 women and 1 in 71 men in the U.S. experience rape, 81% of women report sexual harassment). The resolution aims to raise community awareness and support for survivors, aligning with the theme "Together We Act, United We Change." As a procedural resolution, it does not create new laws or funding but formally acknowledges the issue for the state.

Maddy summarySB 470 proposes to create a Secondary Education Fire Training Pilot Program in Pennsylvania, allowing high school students aged 16+ to earn credit for firefighter and emergency medical services training through partnerships between schools and colleges. The bill establishes a Fire Training Fund to accept donations and provides $150,000 per participating college over the 4-year pilot period. It requires three regional colleges to partner with school entities (including districts and charter schools) to offer Firefighter I certification courses, with the goal of increasing volunteer firefighter recruitment. The program includes a post-pilot survey to assess its impact on local volunteer fire departments. This is proposed legislation pending final approval, with an effective date of January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis resolution honors Senator Mary Jo White's life and service in the Pennsylvania Senate, expressing condolences to her family. It recognizes her work on environmental policy, advocacy for women's rights, and her role as the first woman elected to Senate Republican leadership. The resolution serves as a formal tribute to her career and legacy without creating any new laws or policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a Pennsylvania program that reimburses residents who earn state-recognized emergency medical services (EMS) certifications (such as EMT or paramedic) after paying for training at a Pennsylvania school. Applicants must submit proof of certification and payment, maintain Pennsylvania residency for two years after certification, and apply within 30 days of completing training. The state will cover full certification costs up to a $3 million total appropriation, with payments issued within two months of a complete application. The program ends when the $3 million is fully spent, with no fixed expiration date beyond that.

Maddy summarySB 528 amends Pennsylvania's aggravated assault law to explicitly include county commissioners, county council members, mayors, and municipal council members as protected individuals. This means assaulting these local government officials will now qualify as aggravated assault under state law, rather than potentially being charged as a lesser offense. The bill expands the existing list of protected persons in Section 2702(c) of Title 18 by adding four new categories of local officials. It takes effect 60 days after enactment. This is a straightforward criminal law update, not a policy change with broader implications.

Maddy summarySB 523 requires full-time firefighters and EMS providers employed by fire departments or local governments in Pennsylvania to receive comprehensive cancer and cardiovascular screenings every three years. The screenings must cover specific conditions including prostate, lung, skin, and heart health checks, as listed in the bill. Employers must cover all associated costs - including copays, deductibles, and insurance expenses - through existing health benefits or insurance plans. This bill directly affects emergency responders working for public fire departments or municipal services.