Sen. Tina Tartaglione

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's Human Services Code to ensure that medical assistance covers payments for custom orthotics and prosthetics. It requires the state department to set reimbursement rates for these items at a level no lower than the current federal Medicare fee schedule. Additionally, the law mandates that all specific codes for these custom devices be included in the state's medical assistance program. The changes are designed to align state coverage with federal standards for durable medical equipment.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Consumer Data Privacy Act to protect the personal information of Pennsylvania residents by setting specific rules for businesses that collect and use consumer data. It defines who must comply as "controllers," which are companies doing business in the state with over $10 million in annual revenue, those selling consumer data for half their income, or those handling data from at least 50,000 consumers. The law requires these companies to obtain clear, affirmative consent from individuals before processing their data and prohibits deceptive design tactics known as dark patterns that trick users into sharing information. Additionally, the act outlines strict penalties for violations and grants consumers the right to know how their data is used, particularly in high-risk situations like targeted advertising or automated decision-making.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Health Care Workplace Violence Prevention Act, requires hospitals, nursing facilities, and home health agencies in Pennsylvania to create committees dedicated to preventing workplace violence against their employees. These committees must include a mix of management, union and nonunion staff, and frontline workers who directly interact with patients or the public, and they are tasked with conducting annual risk assessments, developing safety plans, and providing regular training. The law also mandates that employees report violent incidents within 24 hours, protects reporters from retaliation, and requires facilities to keep detailed records of these events for at least three years. To ensure compliance, the Department of Labor and Industry is granted the authority to impose administrative fines ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 for each violation of the new requirements.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution commemorates July 2, 2024, as the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The bill does not change any laws or affect public policy; instead, it formally acknowledges the historical significance of the legislation that ended legal segregation and prohibited discrimination in employment, public accommodations, and voting. By passing this resolution, the Senate recognizes the Act's role as a landmark achievement in American history without altering its existing provisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's First and Second Class County Property Tax Relief Act to expand tax relief for longtime owner-occupants in specific residential areas. It allows local governments to grant property tax deferrals or exemptions to homeowners who have lived in their primary residence for at least ten years, or five years if they received government housing assistance, provided the tax increase is due to new construction or renovations in established neighborhoods. The legislation also clarifies that cities in second-class counties can create these programs independently of their counties and permits the use of past data to apply these benefits retroactively to November 1984.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new paid family and medical leave program in Pennsylvania, allowing eligible employees to take time off work with wage replacement for specific personal and family reasons. The program is administered by the Department of Labor and Industry, which will manage the Family and Medical Leave Fund financed by employer contributions, while also offering an option for employers to use private insurance plans instead. Eligible workers can receive benefits for various needs, including caring for a sick family member, bonding with a new child, or addressing violence against vulnerable adults, with protections ensuring their jobs remain secure during leave. The legislation includes provisions for self-employed individuals to opt into the program, sets rules for benefit amounts and duration, and creates an advisory board to oversee the initiative.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania bill updates state laws to clarify which inmates are ineligible for early release programs, specifically short sentence parole and certain parole eligibility rules. It directly affects prisoners convicted of specific serious offenses, such as incest, open lewdness, and crimes involving child sexual abuse material, by ensuring they cannot access these accelerated release options. The legislation also standardizes the term "child sexual abuse material" throughout the statutes to replace older references to "child pornography." Additionally, the bill makes minor editorial changes to correct references within the legal code.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution designates June 2024 as "Migraine and Headache Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania to highlight the impact of these conditions on public health. The bill cites statistics showing that headaches are a leading cause of disability and significantly affect millions of people, including veterans and service members. By officially recognizing this month, the Senate aims to encourage public education and reduce the stigma surrounding migraine disorders. This measure serves as a symbolic gesture to draw attention to the need for better research funding and accessible treatments rather than enacting new laws or policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Prevailing Wage Act to clarify how "custom fabrication" is defined for public construction projects. It specifically includes offsite production of nonstandard goods like specialized HVAC components, sheet metal ducts, and prefabricated structures, while explicitly excluding standard materials such as structural steel and precast concrete. The changes aim to ensure that workers involved in creating these specific project components are covered by prevailing wage requirements, with a noted exception for general HVAC duct cleaning.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Public School Code to update how schools handle incidents involving weapons and to clarify definitions of school entities and property. It requires school districts to notify parents and guardians of students and employees located on any building sharing a campus with the incident site, unless local policies dictate otherwise. The legislation also mandates that schools inform specific employees assigned to the student involved in an incident, provided such notification complies with federal privacy laws. Additionally, the bill expands the definition of school property to include public grounds, school-sponsored activities, and transportation vehicles used for school purposes.