Sen. Lisa Baker

Maddy summarySR 153 is a ceremonial resolution congratulating the West Suburban Little League 12-and-Under Softball Team on winning the 2025 Little League Softball World Series. It does not create new laws or policies, but formally recognizes the team's achievement through a vote by the legislature. The resolution directly affects the team and their community by providing official legislative acknowledgment of their championship. It was referred to the Rules & Executive Nominations committee on September 17, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 1006 is a constitutional amendment proposing to expand property tax exemptions for Pennsylvania veterans with service-connected disabilities. It would extend partial tax relief proportional to disability ratings (50%-100%) and full exemption for veterans rated 100% disabled or surviving spouses of service members who died in action, were POWs, or were missing in action. The amendment also clarifies that surviving spouses of eligible veterans retain exemption after the veteran's death. As a constitutional amendment, it requires voter approval after legislative passage. (Bill: SB 1006, 2025 Session)

Maddy summarySB 241 requires Pennsylvania's Liquor Control Board to automatically expunge citations issued to retail liquor licensees (such as restaurants, hotels, and clubs) for failing to follow pandemic-related health orders during the Governor's emergency period (March 2020 to end of emergency). It applies specifically to violations of executive actions, Health Secretary orders, or Department guidance related to COVID-19 protocols. The Board must remove these citations within 30 days at no cost to the business, providing written notice of the expungement. This policy change directly affects businesses that received such citations during the pandemic emergency.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 147) designates September 19, 2025, as "POW/MIA Recognition Day" within the state of Pennsylvania. It formally recognizes this date for observance of prisoners of war and missing in action service members. As a ceremonial resolution, it does not create new laws or alter existing policies; it solely establishes a day of official recognition for the state. The resolution is currently referred to the Rules & Executive Nominations committee.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates September 2025 as "Military Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania. It does not create new laws or allocate funds but formally recognizes the need for increased awareness and support related to military suicide prevention. The designation aims to encourage community efforts and education during that month, directly affecting Pennsylvanians through heightened public focus on this issue.

Maddy summarySB 984 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to update attendance rules specifically for charter, regional charter, and cyber charter schools. It establishes new procedures for handling student absences, including steps for schools when a child is truant or habitually absent, and outlines processes when a truancy citation is filed. The bill removes outdated rules about truancy procedures, adds requirements for state support programs to prevent truancy, and mandates reports to the Superintendent of Public Instruction. These changes directly affect students attending the specified school types and their school administrators.

Maddy summarySB 965 establishes a two-year Maternal Health Monitoring Pilot Program (2026-2027 and 2027-2028) for pregnant individuals in Pennsylvania who have hypertension or diabetes and receive medical assistance or are enrolled in participating managed care plans. The program provides free home monitoring devices (like blood pressure cuffs and glucose meters) and connects participants with clinical teams for health coaching and condition management during pregnancy and up to three months postpartum. Managed care organizations must contract with a vendor to administer the program, serving no more than 300 participants across at least two counties, including one with a maternity care desert. The Department of Health will evaluate outcomes through a report due within 24 months after the pilot ends.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 119) is a non-binding request from the Pennsylvania Senate urging Congress to support the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025 and amend federal law. It specifically seeks to change current requirements under the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, which currently restricts school milk options to fat-free or low-fat varieties. The resolution asks Congress to allow whole milk and 2% reduced-fat milk (flavored or unflavored) in Pennsylvania's elementary and secondary schools, and directs federal agencies to update dietary guidelines accordingly. This would permit schools to offer these milk types without risking federal funding, but the resolution itself does not alter any existing law or standards.

Maddy summarySB 475 creates a framework for Pennsylvania courts to establish specialized "problem-solving" treatment courts (including veterans, drug, mental health, and DUI courts) and modifies probation rules. It allows courts to create "veterans tracks" within existing treatment programs and requires judges to consider a defendant's employment status when sentencing for technical probation violations. The bill specifically permits up to 30 days of incarceration to allow defendants to enter treatment courts instead of imposing full sentences for technical probation violations. This directly affects Pennsylvania courts, probation officers, and individuals on probation who commit minor violations.

Maddy summarySB 934 requires cyber charter schools and parents to notify a student's school district of residence within 10 days of enrollment and provide proof of residency by November 1 and March 1 each school year using a standardized form. If a school district disputes residency, the department must review the case within 15 days, and cyber charter schools must return funds to the district if a student is confirmed not to reside there. Homeless students are exempt from providing home address information under federal guidelines. This bill directly affects cyber charter schools, parents, and school districts in Pennsylvania by clarifying enrollment rules and dispute resolution processes.