Sen. Tim Kearney

Maddy summarySB 190 establishes Pennsylvania's Pharmaceutical Transparency Review Board to address high-cost prescription drug affordability. The Board, composed of appointed experts with strict conflict-of-interest rules, reviews prescription drugs and develops recommendations for residents, government agencies, health plans, and other stakeholders. It requires pharmaceutical manufacturers (those setting drug prices) to provide pricing data and mandates public meetings and transparency in the review process. The bill also creates a dedicated fund to support the Board's operations and sets penalties for noncompliance.

Maddy summarySB 136 replaces Pennsylvania's current process for temporarily transferring terminally ill inmates to hospitals or hospices with two new parole options. It eliminates the existing requirement for courts to approve transfers based on "clear and convincing proof" of terminal illness, risk factors, and facility agreements. Instead, the bill creates parole eligibility for inmates due to age or chronic illness, and establishes medical parole during public health emergencies like disease outbreaks. This change directly affects incarcerated individuals facing serious health conditions or age-related frailty, streamlining their release without requiring court petitions.

Maddy summarySB 178 amends Pennsylvania's investment divestment law to require state retirement funds (like the State Employees' Retirement System) to identify and potentially divest from companies that manufacture assault weapons. It defines "assault weapons" broadly (including certain rifles, pistols, and shotguns) and mandates that funds notify these manufacturers within 180 days if they continue such production, giving them time to commit to stopping. If manufacturers don't cease production, funds must sell all related investments within 26 months. The bill directly affects state pension fund portfolios and aims to align investment policies with firearm safety concerns.

Maddy summarySB 22 amends Pennsylvania's mental health laws to protect minors under age 16 on social media. It prohibits social media companies from intentionally causing minors to access harmful content that risks their physical or mental health, with penalties including fines. Companies must take "good faith" steps to block such content, and recovered damages from violations will fund mental health services for students. The law directly affects social media platforms operating in Pennsylvania and aims to address rising teen mental health concerns linked to social media use.

Maddy summarySB 177 amends Pennsylvania's Whistleblower Law by updating the definition of "public body" to explicitly include state courts (like the Supreme Court), the General Assembly, and judicial agencies. This clarifies which government entities are covered under the law, ensuring employees reporting violations can seek protection when working with these specific bodies. The change directly affects state and local government employees who report suspected legal violations, making the scope of protected entities more precise. It is a procedural update to definitions, not a new protection or penalty.

Maddy summarySB 179 amends Pennsylvania's Prevailing Wage Act to strengthen penalties for contractors who intentionally underpay workers on public projects. It establishes tiered debarment periods: 3 years for unpaid wages under $1 million, 5 years for $1-10 million, and 10 years for over $10 million. This directly affects contractors who violate prevailing wage laws, barring them from winning future public contracts during these periods. The bill also authorizes the Secretary of Labor to request the Attorney General to recover penalties for the state. These changes aim to enforce compliance with prevailing wage requirements on public construction projects.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 8) urges the Governor to create a comprehensive plan to improve public school funding and education quality in the Commonwealth. It specifically calls for establishing an advisory commission composed of parents, teachers, school administrators, business leaders, higher education representatives, and legislators. The commission would study key issues like equitable funding sources, necessary educational programs and teacher-student ratios, the Department of Education's role in financially struggling districts, and potential changes to school code. The resolution does not create new laws but requests the Governor take these steps to address current budget challenges affecting public schools.

Maddy summaryThis bill bans health insurers in Pennsylvania from setting annual or lifetime dollar limits on essential medical services (like hospital care, surgery, and emergency treatment), affecting both in-network and out-of-network providers. It applies to individual and group health insurance policies, directly protecting enrollees from coverage caps on core benefits. Insurers must comply with these limits, with enforcement including fines up to $5,000 per violation. The law takes effect for policies filed with the Insurance Department after its effective date.

Maddy summarySB 63 amends Pennsylvania's DUI law to clarify that non-commercial drivers using medical marijuana lawfully under the 2016 Medical Marijuana Act are exempt from the prohibition against having Schedule I controlled substances (including medical marijuana) in their blood. However, driving under the influence of medical marijuana or any impairing drug remains illegal, and possessing a medical marijuana card does not by itself justify a chemical test or arrest. The bill defines "medical marijuana" as per the state's Medical Marijuana Act and specifies that legal use of medical marijuana is not a defense against DUI charges. This change directly affects non-commercial drivers with medical marijuana cards and modifies law enforcement procedures for DUI cases involving medical marijuana.

Maddy summarySB 51, the Health Insurance Core Benefits Coverage Act, requires Pennsylvania health insurance companies to cover specific core health benefits in both individual and group plans. It mandates coverage for 10 essential categories, including emergency services, mental health care, prescription drugs, hospitalization, preventive care, and pediatric services (like dental/vision for children). The law ensures plans are at least as comprehensive as those offered in 2018, with the Insurance Department allowed to adjust requirements through regulations. This directly affects insurers and policyholders by standardizing minimum coverage across the state.