Sen. Gene Yaw

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution urges Congress to pass a federal law requiring the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense to offer stellate ganglion block therapy to military personnel and veterans suffering from PTSD. The bill aims to address the limitations of current treatments by making this low-risk, long-used medical procedure available to help reduce symptoms like anxiety and hyperarousal. By advocating for the inclusion of this specific therapy, the resolution seeks to expand treatment options for a significant portion of the veteran population diagnosed with PTSD.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania bill cancels existing rules that governed the state's CO2 Budget Trading Program, a system designed to manage carbon emissions through a cap-and-trade mechanism. By repealing the specific regulations found in the state's administrative code, the legislation effectively ends the current framework for trading carbon allowances and managing emission limits. The law takes effect immediately upon passage, removing the legal basis for the program's operations without altering the underlying concept of the trading system itself.

Maddy summarySB 1281 updates Pennsylvania's Medical Practice Act to formally include definitions and licensure requirements for several allied health professions, including respiratory therapists, perfusionists, genetic counselors, and prosthetists. The bill also establishes specific rules for medical imaging professionals, radiation therapists, and radiologist assistants, while removing previous education and training mandates related to radiologic procedures. A key provision across these new categories is the requirement that applicants demonstrate good moral character, with a specific instruction for the licensing board to conduct individualized assessments of criminal convictions. By adding these roles to the state's regulatory framework, the legislation ensures that these healthcare workers operate under standardized licensing and qualification standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Minimum Wage Act to exempt minor league baseball players from minimum wage and overtime requirements if they are paid under a collective bargaining agreement. It also clarifies an employer's duty to maintain accurate records of employee hours and wages, which must be kept for three years and made available for inspection. Additionally, the law requires employers to post a summary of the act and allows authorized representatives to question employees about their pay and hours, though these record-keeping and inquiry rules do not apply to the exempted baseball players. The changes become effective 60 days after the bill is enacted.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Liquor Code to allow specific types of alcohol licensees to sell malt or brewed beverages using registers in connected businesses within the same building. It permits restaurant and retail dispenser licensees to utilize up to eleven thousand square feet of connected space for off-premises sales of beer and malt beverages, provided they notify the state board and follow strict rules on signage, staffing, and data privacy. Additionally, the legislation expands wine sales permits by allowing sales in connected areas of a business and requiring the use of electronic ID scanning for customers under thirty-five, while also clarifying that sales must occur on licensed premises or in the same building. These changes aim to modernize regulations for businesses with multiple locations or internal connections, ensuring compliance with existing safety and training standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Pennsylvania Award for Student Success Scholarship Program, which provides financial assistance to help eligible students attend participating nonpublic schools. To qualify, a student must be a Pennsylvania resident living in a household with income below 250% of the federal poverty guidelines and reside within the attendance boundary of a school designated as low-achieving. The program creates scholarship accounts that parents can use to pay for tuition, school-related fees, and special education services at approved private schools. Additionally, the bill requires school districts with low-achieving schools to notify parents about the program and provide lists of designated schools.

Maddy summarySB 1290 amends Pennsylvania's Medical Marijuana Act to clarify rules regarding patient safety and employment. The bill defines specific terms like "impaired" and "safety-sensitive positions," which include jobs involving heights, machinery, or public safety. It prohibits patients from operating vehicles or performing essential duties while under the influence of marijuana, allowing employers to restrict such tasks without it being considered discrimination. Additionally, the legislation protects patients from being fired solely for having a medical marijuana certification, provided they are not impaired at work.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's Fiscal Code to clarify how individuals can claim abandoned or unclaimed property held by the state. It allows any person with an interest in such property to file a formal claim using a specific form provided by the State Treasurer. Additionally, the law permits the State Treasurer to automatically distribute property or its sale proceeds to a person if that person is identified as the sole owner and the item's value is under $500, even without a filed claim. The changes apply to the state government and affect anyone holding unclaimed assets or seeking to recover them.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's Liquor Code to regulate the sale and distribution of ready-to-drink cocktails, which are defined as premixed alcoholic beverages containing between 0.5% and 12.5% alcohol by volume. It establishes a new permit system allowing restaurants, hotels, and distributors to sell these drinks while restricting sales for off-premises consumption after 11 p.m. The legislation also clarifies rules for Pennsylvania Liquor Stores regarding wholesale sales to licensees and special order restrictions, while expanding import licenses to include ready-to-drink cocktails. Additionally, the bill introduces specific provisions for limited distilleries and updates definitions to ensure clarity across the state's alcohol regulatory framework.

Maddy summaryThis bill, now enacted as Act No. 87 of 2024, authorizes the injection of carbon dioxide into underground reservoirs in Pennsylvania for storage purposes. It clarifies that companies owning the land above these underground spaces retain ownership of the pore space beneath their property and allows for the transfer of surface land rights to facilitate these projects. A key provision ensures that public utilities are not required to pass the costs of developing or maintaining these carbon storage facilities onto their customers through higher rates. Additionally, the law establishes a specific fund to support carbon dioxide storage activities and assigns duties to state environmental agencies to oversee the process.