Sen. Tina Tartaglione

Maddy summaryThis bill designates a specific bridge on Pennsylvania Route 72 in Swatara Township as the Senator David J. Arnold, Jr., Memorial Bridge to honor his service. The legislation officially names the structure after the late state senator, who previously served as Lebanon County's district attorney and later as a state senator. To implement this change, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is required to install and maintain signs displaying the new name for drivers traveling in both directions. The act will become effective 60 days after being signed into law.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes minor wording changes to a Pennsylvania statute that governs electric utility planning and energy conservation programs. Specifically, it adds the word "solely" to a section and removes the word "not" from another, which alters how the law defines the scope of utility plans. These adjustments affect public utilities and the state agencies that oversee their energy efficiency initiatives. The changes do not introduce new policies or programs but instead refine existing legal language regarding how utilities must structure their conservation efforts.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Pennsylvania counties to create public safety authorities specifically for emergency medical services and related support functions. Under the new rules, a county can establish up to two such authorities and must try to include municipal representatives in their governance, while existing emergency organizations can continue operating without restriction. Municipalities within the county can contract with these authorities to meet their legal obligations for providing emergency services, but the authorities generally cannot charge fees unless a municipality explicitly opts in through an ordinance. The legislation also requires the Department of Community and Economic Development to offer guidance and technical assistance to help counties set up and manage these new public safety entities.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new grant program within the Pennsylvania Department of Education to help public school districts provide annual mental health screenings for students in grades six through twelve. To receive funding, schools must apply by proposing specific evidence-based screening tools, outlining how they will use the money to hire staff or expand counseling services, and detailing an emergency plan for students who need immediate help. The program will begin in the 2025-2026 school year, and the department will assess each school district's readiness before selecting participants. Additionally, the bill requires the department to consult with national mental health organizations and establish a list of qualified vendors to support the screening process.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution directs the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing to study how post-traumatic stress disorder, military sexual trauma, and traumatic brain injury affect service members, veterans, and their families within the criminal justice system. The study specifically examines individuals involved in Veterans Treatment Courts and expands the scope to include those enrolled in these programs for up to 15 years. By mandating this comprehensive review, the bill aims to gather data on the unique challenges faced by this population rather than changing laws or sentencing guidelines.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's Schools-to-Work Program by clarifying who can participate and who can run the program. It expands the definition of "adult learners" to include individuals over 18 who lack basic skills, do not have a high school diploma, need help returning to work, or require career training. The legislation also broadens the list of eligible program sponsors to include pre-apprenticeship entities, nonprofits, schools, and local workforce boards. Grants awarded under the program must support partnerships between schools and employers to create training pathways that offer internships, apprenticeships, and other learning opportunities. Recipients of these grants are required to report annually on how many participants entered the program, completed it, earned certifications, or moved into further education or employment. The changes to the program are set to expire in 2029.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution officially designates June 2024 as "LGBTQ+ Pride Month" in Pennsylvania to honor the state's LGBTQ+ community and mark the 55th anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall Inn demonstrations. The document highlights historical events within the state, such as early civil rights protests in Philadelphia and past executive orders recognizing LGBTQ+ equality, as reasons for this recognition. As a commemorative measure, the bill does not alter laws or create new programs but serves to publicly acknowledge the contributions and struggles of LGBTQ+ Pennsylvanians.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the existing Pharmacy Audit Integrity and Transparency Act to impose stricter rules on pharmacy benefit managers and the pharmacies that work with them. The legislation prohibits PBMs from forcing pharmacies to accept lower reimbursement rates to join their networks, banning retroactive money take-backs, and outlawing hidden fees or practices that steer patients toward specific pharmacies solely for cost savings. Additionally, it requires PBMs to respond to pharmacy network requests within 30 days, mandates quarterly reporting on drug rebates, and tasks a state department with regulating PBMs and ensuring pharmacies are reimbursed at least the cost of the drugs they dispense.

Maddy summarySB 1244 modifies Pennsylvania's Unemployment Compensation Law to require employees to pay a portion of unemployment insurance contributions for the first time. Under this change, five percent of wages earned between October 1, 2024, and September 30, 2028, must be deposited into the Reemployment Fund if paid by December 31, 2028. This bill directly affects employers and employees by shifting some financial responsibility for unemployment benefits from solely employers to a shared arrangement. The legislation is designed to fund reemployment programs while maintaining the existing structure for employer contributions and other state funds.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a State Advisory Board to guide the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program. The board will include members representing various groups, such as pediatric physicians and breastfeeding experts, to ensure diverse perspectives in their work. Its primary purpose is to increase awareness of breastfeeding services and improve access to WIC-authorized stores for program participants. By adding specific roles focused on nutrition and lactation support, the legislation aims to strengthen the program's ability to assist eligible families.