Sen. Lisa Baker

Maddy summarySB 336 prohibits solar energy facilities on Pennsylvania agricultural land with high-quality soil (Class 1 or 2) and requires landowners to seek soil classification certification from the Department of Agriculture before leasing land for solar projects. The bill creates a tax credit covering up to 30% of a solar project’s cost (3¢ per kilowatt-hour) for facilities on eligible sites like brownfields, abandoned mines, capped landfills, warehouse rooftops, or parking canopies, with an annual $5 million cap on credits. It excludes small solar projects under 2 megawatts, pre-existing agreements, and agricultural land where low-quality soil makes up only a small portion of the parcel. The tax credit application process requires annual submission by February 1 and approval by the Department of Community and Economic Development.

Maddy summarySB 314 requires Pennsylvania's Department of Health to report the death of any registered voter aged 18 or older to local election commissions within seven days of learning of the death. Election commissions must then cancel that voter's registration and update their records. The law aims to improve the accuracy of voter rolls by ensuring deceased individuals are removed promptly. It takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summarySB 340 amends Pennsylvania's MCare Act to clarify requirements for medical malpractice lawsuits. It introduces a "Certificate of Merit" that must accompany initial complaints, requiring a written statement from a qualified expert confirming negligence and the standard of care. The bill tightens rules for medical experts testifying in these cases, mandating they hold an active Pennsylvania license, practice in the same specialty as the defendant, and be board-certified (unless waived by a court for specific reasons). This directly affects patients filing malpractice claims and medical professionals serving as expert witnesses. The changes aim to ensure only credible claims proceed, with the certificate needing to be filed within 60 days of a lawsuit's start.

Maddy summarySB 265 prohibits credit card payments for gambling-related services in Pennsylvania. It bans operators of fantasy contests, iLottery, interactive gaming, and sports wagering from accepting credit cards to fund accounts, make deposits, or place wagers. The bill directly affects licensed gambling operators by requiring them to use alternative payment methods for all transactions. Key provisions include adding specific restrictions to existing statutes (Sections 326, 503, 13B23, and 13C11) to enforce the credit card ban. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summarySB 266 strengthens Pennsylvania's gaming regulations by requiring licensed casinos and online gaming operators to enforce voluntary self-exclusion programs. It prohibits direct marketing (including email, texts, and social media) to self-excluded individuals, mandates real-time updates to exclusion lists every 48 hours, and bans access to rewards, credit, winnings, and promotional benefits for excluded persons. Violations could result in fines up to $1.2 million for gaming entities, with misdemeanor or felony penalties for repeated offenses. The bill directly affects gaming businesses and supports individuals seeking to avoid gambling activities through formal self-exclusion.

Maddy summarySB 269 amends Pennsylvania's 1965 Newborn Child Testing Act to add Duchenne muscular dystrophy to the list of conditions screened for in newborns. The bill requires healthcare providers to administer screening tests for this condition as part of the existing newborn screening program. This directly affects newborns in Pennsylvania and the healthcare facilities that conduct these screenings, aiming to identify the condition early to prevent disability or death. The change takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates February 9-15, 2025, as "Cardiac Rehabilitation Week" in Pennsylvania. It symbolically recognizes cardiac rehabilitation efforts and the work of professionals in preventing and treating heart disease, which is a leading cause of death in the state. The resolution does not create new laws or policies but formally acknowledges the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation's role in promoting heart health awareness.

Maddy summarySB 273 amends Pennsylvania's Election Code to regulate recurring campaign contributions. It requires political candidates and committees to obtain clear, active consent from donors before setting up automatic recurring payments (like monthly credit card charges), prohibiting reliance on pre-checked boxes or passive actions. The law mandates immediate written receipts detailing terms, easy cancellation options in all communications, and refunds within 14 days if consent was not properly obtained. Violations carry penalties of up to $5,000 per incident or fines up to three times the improper contribution amount (if exceeding $1,000 and knowingly accepted without consent). The bill applies to recurring contributions solicited or accepted 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summarySB 260 adds a new exemption category for caregivers from Pennsylvania jury duty. It allows caregivers who request excusal, do not work outside the home, and live with a child under seven or a person with a permanent disability requiring active care during court hours (and lack affordable or available alternative care) to be excused permanently or for a limited period. Courts must require a notarized affidavit confirming these conditions, and caregivers excused for a limited time will be reassigned to the next jury array after their period ends. This bill directly affects caregivers meeting these specific criteria, modifying existing jury duty exemptions under Title 42.

Maddy summarySB 251 proposes a constitutional amendment to Pennsylvania's Constitution, creating a two-year window for victims of childhood sexual abuse to file lawsuits against the Commonwealth. It directly affects individuals who experienced abuse as children and were previously barred by expired statutes of limitations, damage caps, or government immunity. The amendment overrides these legal barriers, allowing such cases to be filed within two years of the amendment's effective date, without being blocked by standard time limits or immunity protections. This change applies only to childhood sexual abuse claims arising before the amendment takes effect.