Sen. Kristin Phillips-Hill

Maddy summarySB 436 amends Pennsylvania's child protective services laws to specifically address cases involving military families. It adds definitions for "military family" (including service members, spouses, and children) and requires reports of suspected child abuse to note if they involve military families. The bill mandates that when a report concerns a military family, the state must notify both the Pennsylvania Family Advocacy Program and the military installation's representative. These changes update reporting procedures, database entries, and information-sharing rules to better coordinate with military child protection services.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates June 23, 2025, as "Dravet Syndrome Awareness Day" in Pennsylvania. It formally recognizes Dravet syndrome - a rare, severe form of epilepsy affecting infants and children - and aims to raise public awareness about the condition. The resolution urges Pennsylvanians to learn about Dravet syndrome and support affected families, though it has no legal effect or funding provisions. It directly affects individuals and families living with Dravet syndrome, which impacts approximately 1 in 15,700 people and requires intensive care. The resolution aligns with International Dravet Syndrome Awareness Day but is purely ceremonial.

Maddy summarySB 115 amends Pennsylvania's Human Services Code to replace the high school diploma or GED requirement for direct care staff in personal care homes and assisted living residences with a skills competency exam. The exam assesses communication skills, basic literacy, cultural awareness, and knowledge of mental health needs specific to these settings, without permitting medication administration. This change specifically applies to individuals who are citizens of or educated in another country, lawfully reside in the U.S., and meet other qualifications, eliminating the need for facilities to seek certain waivers. The bill directs the Department of Human Services to create temporary implementing regulations within two years and repeals conflicting existing regulations.

Maddy summarySB 333 amends Pennsylvania's Regulatory Review Act to strengthen oversight of significant regulations. It defines "economically significant regulations" as those likely to cost $1 million or more annually across state, local, or private sectors. The bill requires agencies to submit detailed cost analyses for all proposed regulations, mandates public hearings for economically significant rules, and extends committee review periods (up to 14 days) for such regulations. These changes directly affect state agencies drafting rules, legislative committees reviewing them, and the Independent Regulatory Review Commission. The law aims to improve transparency around regulatory costs without altering the core process for standard regulations.

Maddy summarySB 444 amends Pennsylvania's Regulatory Review Act to clarify how state agencies must review existing regulations. It defines "economically significant regulation" as one costing over $1 million annually to the state, local governments, or private businesses. The bill requires agencies to submit detailed reports after three years on such regulations, including cost impacts, public feedback, effectiveness, and efficiency measures. These reports trigger a 30-day public comment period and a commission review to determine if the regulation remains in the public interest. This directly affects state agencies creating regulations and businesses subject to those rules.

Maddy summaryThis resolution formally recognizes the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States Army (established June 14, 1775, as the Continental Army). It commemorates the Army as the nation's oldest fighting force and first national institution, highlighting historical milestones like the Battle of Bunker Hill and George Washington's appointment as Commander in Chief. The resolution serves solely as a ceremonial tribute with no policy changes or direct impact on individuals or programs. It does not create new laws, allocate funds, or affect veterans' benefits.

Maddy summarySB 751 gradually reduces Pennsylvania's inheritance tax rates for transfers to certain family members, including parents, grandparents, children, and spouses. It lowers the tax rate step-by-step over time, starting at 4.5% for deaths before July 1, 2026, and decreasing to 0% for deaths on or after July 1, 2035. This directly affects Pennsylvania residents inheriting property from immediate family members as defined in the tax code. The bill modifies Section 2116(a)(1) of the 1971 Tax Reform Code to establish these phased rate reductions.

Maddy summarySB 750 modifies Pennsylvania's inheritance tax rates for property transferred to siblings, gradually lowering the tax from 12% to 0% over time. The bill reduces the rate annually, starting at 12% for deaths before July 2026, decreasing to 11% in 2026-2027, and reaching 0% for deaths on or after July 2033. This directly affects individuals inheriting property from a sibling in Pennsylvania. The change is structured as a phased reduction in the tax rate over several years, with no tax applied after 2033.

Maddy summarySB 376 bans the installation or use of TikTok (or any app developed by ByteDance Limited) on state-owned electronic devices and state wireless networks in Pennsylvania. It requires state employees to remove such applications from devices within three months of the law taking effect, with exceptions for law enforcement, security, or risk mitigation activities. The law directly affects state employees using devices paid for with state funds or accessing state networks. It specifically targets TikTok and any future apps by ByteDance, not other social media platforms.

Maddy summarySB 181 amends Pennsylvania's Election Code to clarify how leftover campaign funds must be handled when a candidate or political committee ends its financial activity. It requires that residual funds be either used for election-related expenses, returned proportionally to contributors, or donated to a qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (with restrictions preventing donations to nonprofits connected to the candidate or their family). Candidates must submit a final report by January 31 each year. This directly affects candidates and political committees managing campaign finances. The bill provides specific rules for fund disposition without changing broader election procedures.