Sen. Marty Flynn

Maddy summarySenate Bill 675 amends The Administrative Code of 1929, adding new powers and duties for the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs. This bill requires inpatient treatment facilities to develop a discharge transportation plan for each patient upon admission or within 72 hours. The plan must detail the patient's transportation from the facility to an initial destination after discharge. It must also include the names of authorized individuals or a public/third-party service for pickup and the initial drop-off address. Facilities are prohibited from releasing a patient who does not have such a discharge transportation plan.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 94 directs the Joint State Government Commission to establish the Task Force on Recruitment and Retention of Law Enforcement. This task force will examine challenges in attracting and keeping law enforcement officers, corrections officers, and prosecutors across the Commonwealth. It will comprise various state officials and representatives from relevant associations and labor organizations. The task force is mandated to provide recommendations and identify necessary changes to state statutes, practices, policies, and procedures to improve staffing in these critical public safety roles. A report detailing its findings and recommendations must be submitted by April 30, 2026, to the Governor and legislative leaders.

Maddy summarySB 709, known as the Health Care Workplace Violence Prevention Act, mandates that all health facilities in Pennsylvania establish violence prevention committees. These committees, comprised of both management and non-managerial employees, are responsible for conducting risk assessments, developing written workplace violence prevention programs, and providing employee training. The bill also requires employees to report incidents of workplace violence and prohibits retaliation against those who report. The Department of Labor and Industry is granted powers and duties related to these requirements, and the bill imposes fines for non-compliance.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 563 proposes to provide a new supplemental annuity for eligible retirees of both the Pennsylvania Public School Employees' Retirement System and the State Employees' Retirement System. Commencing July 1, 2025, individuals receiving a superannuation, withdrawal, or disability annuity who retired prior to July 2, 2001, will receive an additional monthly payment. The amount of this supplement will be a percentage of their July 1, 2025, monthly annuity, ranging from 10% to 20% based on their original retirement date. The Commonwealth will fund the additional liability for these benefits over a 10-year period, starting July 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 564 proposes to provide an additional monthly supplemental annuity to eligible retired public school employees and retired state government employees in Pennsylvania. For retired public school employees, these new payments would begin after July 1, 2025, while for retired state employees, they would commence after January 1, 2025. The amount of this supplement will be a percentage of their current monthly annuity, ranging from 15% to 24.5% based on their retirement date, with older retirees receiving a higher percentage. The bill specifies that eligible recipients must have retired before July 2, 2001, and not have certain service credits. The increased costs for these benefits will be funded by the Commonwealth over a ten-year period.

Maddy summarySB 678 amends Pennsylvania's Wage Payment and Collection Law to establish specific liability for general contractors in the construction industry. It makes general contractors jointly responsible for violations of wage payment laws committed by subcontractors providing construction services. The bill also requires subcontractors to repay general contractors for these liabilities, including wages and fees, unless otherwise specified in their contract or if the general contractor caused the violation by not paying promptly. These changes apply to construction contracts entered into on or after the bill's effective date.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 676 amends the Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law to regulate automatic renewal and continuous service offers made by businesses to consumers. It requires businesses to provide clear acknowledgments of terms, cancellation policies, and post-trial pricing, allowing consumers to retain this information. The bill also mandates that if an offer is accepted online, consumers must be able to cancel it exclusively online. Additionally, businesses must provide notice of any material changes to the offer and are prohibited from misrepresenting its terms. Violations of these provisions would be considered unfair or deceptive acts under existing law.

Maddy summarySB 650 amends Pennsylvania's Human Services Code to enhance child safety. It mandates that all child care centers and family child care homes install and maintain door safety guards. These guards must meet or exceed specific requirements set by the department to minimize the risk of harm or injury to children. This bill directly affects licensed child care facilities and will take effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summarySB 654 establishes the Veterans Mental Health Services Program within the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. This program is designed to provide mental health care to honorably discharged veterans who have exhausted their federal mental health benefits or are in an acute crisis. Eligible veterans can receive reimbursement for up to five mental health sessions per year from participating health care providers, with the possibility of additional sessions if approved. The department will publish a list of participating providers and issue an annual report on the program's reach and services provided.

Maddy summarySB 647 amends Pennsylvania's Crimes and Offenses statute regarding prostitution and related offenses. The bill removes specific provisions that made these offenses a third-degree felony if the person involved was HIV positive or knew another person involved was HIV positive. It establishes a mechanism for individuals previously convicted and sentenced under these specific HIV-related felony provisions to petition the court for resentencing to a misdemeanor grade. This resentencing process applies to those who have completed their sentence and those currently serving it, subject to certain conditions.