Sen. Marty Flynn

Maddy summaryThis bill designates a specific stretch of Blakely Street, State Route 6011, and Pennsylvania Route 347 in Dunmore Borough as the Staff Sergeant Steven R. Tudor Memorial Highway. The legislation officially names this roadway to honor Staff Sergeant Tudor, a native of the area who served 18 years in the U.S. Army and died in service during a deployment. The Department of Transportation is required to install and maintain signs displaying the new memorial name for traffic traveling in both directions. The changes become effective 60 days after the bill is enacted.

Maddy summarySB 899 amends the state's Controlled Substance Act to update the schedules of controlled substances, classifying specific drugs into categories based on their medical use and potential for abuse. It directly affects pharmacies, healthcare providers, law enforcement, and patients who handle or prescribe these substances by changing their legal classifications. The bill's key mechanism involves modifying the existing schedule lists to reflect current medical knowledge and drug usage patterns, without adding new penalties or creating new regulatory requirements. This update ensures the scheduling framework aligns with current scientific understanding and medical practice.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Pennsylvania public schools to include scoliosis screening and examinations in their health programs for students in grades five, six, seven, and nine, as well as age-appropriate students in ungraded classes. The screening must be conducted by qualified personnel following guidelines from the Secretaries of Health and Education, with results added to each student's health record. Parents may opt their children out of the screening in writing, and students already under medical care for scoliosis are exempt from testing. Additionally, the bill repeals an existing state regulation regarding scoliosis screening to align with these new requirements.

Maddy summarySB 802 creates a voluntary "communication impairment designation" for Pennsylvania drivers with conditions affecting communication (e.g., autism, aphasia). Drivers submit a medical professional's sworn statement, confirm voluntary disclosure, and provide emergency contact info to add a visible "i" symbol to their license. Law enforcement can access the designation and emergency contacts during traffic stops via secure networks, but specific medical details remain private and are not public records. The designation can be added, updated, or removed without fees (except standard license renewal costs), with penalties for fraudulent applications or misuse to avoid lawful orders.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution designates March 2026 as Irish-American Heritage Month in Pennsylvania to honor the historical and cultural contributions of people of Irish descent. The measure formally recognizes the significant role Irish Americans have played in Pennsylvania, where nearly two million residents trace their ancestry to Ireland. It also expresses support for the Good Friday Agreement and promotes peace on the island of Ireland. The resolution does not change laws or policies but serves as a symbolic acknowledgment of heritage and ongoing international relations.

Maddy summarySB 1198 adds specific definitions to Pennsylvania's Prevailing Wage Act to clarify which projects and entities are covered. It defines "public utility" (excluding electric distribution companies) and creates a new term, "underground infrastructure work," which refers to non-maintenance construction related to underground systems owned by public utilities. These changes directly affect public bodies (like state/local governments), public utilities, and contractors working on projects over $25,000 that involve underground infrastructure. The bill does not alter wage rates or requirements but refines the scope of the existing law.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 233) symbolically recognizes March 21, 2026, as "World Down Syndrome Day" in Pennsylvania. It does not create new laws or affect any individuals or policies, as it is a ceremonial gesture acknowledging the day. The resolution cites statistics about Down syndrome and highlights contributions of people with Down syndrome to society, but contains no binding provisions or requirements. It serves solely to honor the occasion through official state recognition.

Maddy summarySB 1202 prohibits payment card networks (like Visa or Mastercard) from including sales tax amounts in credit or debit card processing fees. It specifically bans networks from charging fees based on the total transaction amount (including tax) and prevents them from circumventing this rule by increasing other fees. The bill also stops networks from charging merchants or consumers for disputed transactions until resolved, and prohibits penalties for merchants pricing items legally under state or federal law. This directly affects merchants who accept card payments and payment networks, requiring them to calculate fees without tax amounts. Violations would trigger penalties as outlined in the bill's enforcement section.

Maddy summaryPennsylvania's Senate introduced Resolution 225 condemning federal immigration officers' use of deadly force in incidents raising constitutional concerns, specifically referencing two fatal shootings in Minnesota (Renée Good on January 7, 2026, and Alex Pretti on January 24, 2026). The resolution demands impartial investigations into these incidents, calls for federal agencies to review and reform enforcement practices, and urges Congress to strengthen accountability measures. It affirms that constitutional rights apply to all people regardless of immigration status and emphasizes that public safety requires respect for civil liberties. The resolution serves as a formal statement from Pennsylvania's Senate to federal officials, not a binding law.

Maddy summarySB 704, also known as the Grid Stabilization and Security Act, directs the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) to identify economically viable sites for natural gas electric generation projects. These sites must be located near natural gas sources and existing electricity transmission infrastructure to benefit end-user consumers. The DCED is required to prepare a list of these suitable sites, submit it to the Department of Environmental Protection, and publish it on their website. Additionally, the bill mandates that DCED collaborate with the Department of Environmental Protection's Bureau of Air Quality to identify necessary air quality permits for each listed site.