Sen. Tim Kearney

Maddy summarySB 936, the "PEP for Pennsylvania Act," requires all health insurance policies sold in Pennsylvania to cover the cost of postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) HIV medication - FDA-approved drugs taken after potential HIV exposure to prevent infection. It mandates this coverage for all qualifying health insurance plans (excluding dental, vision, or limited benefit policies) starting 60 days after the law takes effect, and prohibits insurers from placing PEP medications in higher-cost specialty tiers solely for profit. The bill also prevents insurers from requiring unnecessary counseling from infectious disease specialists to access PEP, unless medically needed. This directly affects Pennsylvania residents with health insurance by ensuring access to critical HIV prevention medication without financial barriers.

Maddy summarySB 478 establishes Pennsylvania's Office of Employee Ownership within the Department of Community and Economic Development to support employee-owned businesses. It creates an Employee Ownership Advisory Board and a Main Street Employee Ownership Grant Program to provide technical assistance, financial aid, and education to businesses meeting specific employee ownership criteria (like worker cooperatives, employee stock ownership plans, or broad profit-sharing programs). The Office will track employee-owned businesses statewide, identify barriers to their growth, and submit annual reports to legislative committees. This bill directly affects businesses seeking to convert to or maintain employee ownership structures across Pennsylvania.

Maddy summarySB 416 allows licensed organizations in Pennsylvania (like charities or community groups) to accept electronic payments - such as credit cards, debit cards, or mobile payments - for raffle tickets. It requires these organizations to verify buyers are at least 18 years old and comply with federal gambling laws. The bill specifically prohibits mobile payment services for certain gaming licensees under Chapter 9. It also removes an outdated regulation (61 Pa. Code § 901.506) that conflicted with these new payment rules.

Maddy summarySB 932 amends Pennsylvania's Second Class Township Code to clarify procedures for filling vacancies on township boards of supervisors. It requires boards to fill vacancies within 30 days, or the vacancy board (composed of supervisors plus one appointed registered elector) must act within 15 days. If the vacancy board fails to fill the position, the chairperson or remaining members must petition the court of common pleas. The bill also specifies that if a majority of board seats become vacant, the court can fill vacancies upon petition by remaining supervisors or 15 registered electors. These changes apply directly to second-class townships across Pennsylvania.

Maddy summarySB 910 creates a new 6.5% severance tax on natural gas extracted at the wellhead in Pennsylvania, starting January 1, 2026. It directly affects natural gas producers (businesses extracting gas for sale or commercial use), excluding those working with storage fields or coal bed methane. The bill requires producers to report monthly gas volumes and pay taxes within 15 days of each reporting period, with revenues deposited into the state General Fund. It also repeals an expiration provision for unconventional gas well fees, ensuring those fees remain in effect.

Maddy summaryThis resolution urges Congress to establish a National Infrastructure Bank to address infrastructure funding gaps. It references Pennsylvania's specific challenges, including lead pipes in water systems and bridge maintenance needs, as justification for federal action. The resolution requests Congress create this bank but does not create new laws or funding. It was referred to the Transportation committee for consideration.

Maddy summarySB 205 creates two new funding streams for Pennsylvania highway maintenance: a $5 million annual appropriation from the Motor License Fund to counties starting in 2025, and a 55-mill tax on liquid fuels. Counties can use these funds specifically for constructing and maintaining bridges owned by municipalities within their counties. The bill directly affects local governments by providing dedicated resources for bridge infrastructure, a key need for many communities. It amends Pennsylvania’s vehicle code to redirect existing transportation revenue toward this purpose without changing overall tax rates.

Maddy summarySB 889 amends Pennsylvania's Equal Pay Law to strengthen protections against sex-based pay discrimination. It clarifies that "comparable work" requires similar skill, effort, and responsibility under similar conditions, and defines "wages" to include all compensation like bonuses and benefits. The bill prohibits employers from using past salary history to set new pay (except when a worker provides it to request higher pay) and bans retaliation for discussing wages or reporting violations. It also requires employers to justify any pay differences using legitimate, job-related factors like seniority or skills - not sex - and mandates that such factors must fully explain the wage gap. This directly affects workers and employers across Pennsylvania who set or receive wages.

Maddy summarySB 884 amends Pennsylvania's MCare Act to prohibit health insurance companies from taking negative actions against healthcare providers who offer legal reproductive health services, including telemedicine prescriptions for pregnancy termination to out-of-state patients. The bill specifically bans insurers from refusing to renew policies, raising premiums, or making other unfavorable changes solely because a provider offers such services permitted under Pennsylvania law. It defines "adverse actions" to include contract terminations, negative reporting to authorities, and coverage changes. This directly affects medical liability insurers and providers offering reproductive care, ensuring they cannot face financial penalties for serving patients from other states legally. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summarySB 885 establishes Pennsylvania's Reproductive Health Services Address Confidentiality Program, protecting the privacy of reproductive health service providers (like clinics and hospitals) and their patients who fear violence. Eligible individuals can apply to receive a confidential substitute address (using a Department of Health post office box) instead of their actual home address for mail and service of process. The program handles mail forwarding, keeps all participant records confidential (except for limited law enforcement disclosures), and requires applicants to affirm safety concerns and provide contact details. This policy directly affects those seeking reproductive health services in Pennsylvania who need address confidentiality for safety reasons.