Maddy summarySB 461 requires health insurance policies in Pennsylvania to cover specific diagnostic tests and treatments for Lyme disease and related tick-borne illnesses. It directly affects all Pennsylvanians with health insurance, particularly those in the state’s high-risk areas (all 67 counties, per the bill’s findings). The key provision mandates insurers cover clinically appropriate diagnostics and antibiotics, including longer-term treatments that some patients require. The bill aims to improve access to care by eliminating coverage barriers, as Pennsylvania has the highest Lyme disease incidence in the U.S. (over 100,000 cases reported in 2018 alone). This is intended to reduce chronic cases and overall disease burden, aligning with the state’s legislative purpose to promote prevention and treatment access.
Sen. Judy Ward
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis resolution designates the week of September 22-26, 2025, as "Safe2Say Something Week" in Pennsylvania. It formally recognizes this specific week for awareness efforts related to the Safe2Say Something program, which encourages reporting of potential threats in schools. The resolution has no binding requirements or policy changes; it is a symbolic designation to promote the program's goals. It directly affects Pennsylvania schools and communities by highlighting this awareness period.
Maddy summaryThis resolution designates September 15-21, 2025, as "Rail Safety Week" in Pennsylvania. It formally recognizes and promotes rail safety awareness during that week through official state acknowledgment. As a commemorative resolution, it does not create new laws or affect specific groups but aims to raise public attention to rail safety issues. The measure is pending referral to the Rules & Executive Nominations committee.
Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 147) designates September 19, 2025, as "POW/MIA Recognition Day" within the state of Pennsylvania. It formally recognizes this date for observance of prisoners of war and missing in action service members. As a ceremonial resolution, it does not create new laws or alter existing policies; it solely establishes a day of official recognition for the state. The resolution is currently referred to the Rules & Executive Nominations committee.
Maddy summarySR 142 is a symbolic resolution designating September 1, 2025, as "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Day" in Pennsylvania. It does not create new laws or affect specific groups; instead, it formally recognizes this date for a public safety awareness campaign focused on preventing drunk driving. The resolution serves as a procedural statement to encourage law enforcement and community efforts during the designated period. This is a non-binding commemorative measure, not a policy change.
Maddy summaryThis resolution designates September 2025 as "Histiocytosis Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania. It formally recognizes the need to raise public awareness about histiocytosis, a rare immune system disorder. The resolution serves as a symbolic gesture to highlight this condition and support affected individuals and families, without creating new laws or altering existing policies.
Maddy summarySR 140 designates September 2025 as "Childhood Cancer Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania. This resolution does not create new laws or requirements but formally recognizes the month to promote public awareness about childhood cancer. It encourages state agencies, community organizations, and the public to host educational events and support initiatives during September 2025. The resolution serves as a symbolic gesture by the Pennsylvania legislature to highlight the issue and support affected families.
Maddy summaryThis resolution formally recognizes September 2025 as "Hunger Action Month" in Pennsylvania. It serves as a symbolic gesture to raise awareness about hunger issues but does not create new laws, policies, or affect any individuals or programs. The resolution was referred to the Rules & Executive Nominations committee on September 4, 2025.
Maddy summaryThis resolution designates September 2025 as "Military Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania. It does not create new laws or allocate funds but formally recognizes the need for increased awareness and support related to military suicide prevention. The designation aims to encourage community efforts and education during that month, directly affecting Pennsylvanians through heightened public focus on this issue.
Maddy summarySB 984 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to update attendance rules specifically for charter, regional charter, and cyber charter schools. It establishes new procedures for handling student absences, including steps for schools when a child is truant or habitually absent, and outlines processes when a truancy citation is filed. The bill removes outdated rules about truancy procedures, adds requirements for state support programs to prevent truancy, and mandates reports to the Superintendent of Public Instruction. These changes directly affect students attending the specified school types and their school administrators.