Sen. Judy Ward

Maddy summarySB 830 establishes Pennsylvania's Child-Care Workforce Commission within the Department of Human Services to collect and analyze data about the state's child-care workforce. The Commission will track workforce demographics (including education, pay, race, gender, and location), compile an annual public report, and maintain a dedicated website for transparency. This bill directly affects child-care centers, family child-care homes, group child-care homes, and their employees across Pennsylvania, requiring them to provide data for the Commission's analysis. The Commission's findings will inform recommendations to improve workforce conditions, with membership including providers, employees, educators, and parents representing diverse geographic and sector perspectives.

Maddy summarySB 308 establishes a financial incentive program for Pennsylvania National Guard members serving in medical or health specialty roles. It provides monthly stipends ranging from $500 to $1,000 based on the officer's required education level (e.g., $1,000 for physicians/residents, $500 for public health officers), paid for up to 48 months or the first 36 months of service. The program covers specific roles including physicians, physician assistants, behavioral health officers, public health officers, nurses, and chaplains who meet credentialing requirements. Eligibility requires being a "member in good standing" and meeting federal and state licensing standards for their specialty. The bill also includes provisions for adjusting stipend amounts, recouping payments if requirements aren't met, and administrative funding.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution (SR 115) designates June 2025 as "Dairy Month" in Pennsylvania. It symbolically recognizes the dairy industry's economic significance - supporting over 47,000 jobs and contributing $11.8 billion annually - to raise awareness of the industry's value and hardships while encouraging the purchase of Pennsylvania-produced dairy products. The resolution has no binding policy impact and serves purely as a ceremonial acknowledgment.

Maddy summarySB 797 exempts certain veterans from Pennsylvania vehicle registration fees. It specifically applies to veterans receiving disability benefits tied to service-connected injuries or disabilities, with total annual income under $19,200. Instead of the standard registration fee, the state will charge a $10 processing fee for these vehicles. The veteran must be the principal driver unless physically or mentally incapable, but may authorize others to drive the vehicle. The bill takes effect 90 days after enactment.

Maddy summarySB 810 amends Pennsylvania's Regulatory Review Act to strengthen oversight of state regulations, particularly those with significant economic impact. It defines "economically significant regulations" as those costing over $1 million annually to the state, local governments, or private sector, requiring agencies to submit detailed cost estimates (via the Independent Fiscal Office) and hold public hearings for such rules. The bill adds specific timelines for legislative committee review (up to 14 days for "final-form" regulations) and mandates that committees must formally disapprove or approve regulations within this window before agencies can implement them. This directly affects state agencies drafting regulations, legislative committees, and the Independent Regulatory Review Commission, creating clearer procedures for reviewing high-cost rules.

Maddy summarySB 692 amends Pennsylvania's medical assistance program to set limits on how payment rates can change for nursing facilities. It requires that nonpublic nursing facility payments stay at or above 90% of prior rates starting July 1, 2025, while county facility payments must maintain 100% plus any percentage change applied to nonpublic rates. These payment rate limits will remain in effect until June 30, 2026, or until a new rate-setting system replaces the current one. The bill directly affects county and nonpublic nursing facilities enrolled in Pennsylvania's medical assistance program.

Maddy summarySB 752 requires Pennsylvania hospitals to publicly disclose standardized pricing for services in a clear, online format. Hospitals must list gross charges, negotiated rates with insurers, discounted cash prices, and billing codes for all services - especially "shoppable" outpatient procedures - on their websites and provide printed copies upon request. The law prohibits hospitals from pursuing debt collection from patients if they fail to comply with these transparency rules. This directly affects hospitals (requiring new reporting duties) and patients (providing clearer cost information before care). The policy aims to increase price visibility without mandating specific pricing structures.

Maddy summarySB 757 requires public employers in Pennsylvania to publicly post proposed collective bargaining agreements, including cost estimates, on their websites for at least two weeks before signing. It mandates that these agreements become public records accessible online within 48 hours of receipt. The law applies to most public employees (excluding elected officials, management staff, and police/fire unions under separate law) and makes agreements unenforceable if proper notice isn't provided. This aims to increase transparency around public sector pay, benefits, and working conditions.

Maddy summarySB 765 updates Pennsylvania's Liquor Code to allow current liquor license holders (like restaurants and retail stores) to sell malt or brewed beverages for off-premises consumption through connected business spaces. It permits using registers in adjacent areas within the same building (under 11,000 sq ft) if they meet specific rules: proper signage, staff training, age verification via scan devices for customers under 35, and prior notice to the Liquor Board. The bill also clarifies that wine expanded permit holders can sell wine in connected areas with similar requirements, including mandatory age checks and sales conducted through registered staff. These changes apply only to existing license holders expanding operations within physically connected spaces, not to new license types.

Maddy summarySB 763 amends Pennsylvania's Solid Waste Management Act to clarify definitions and add new requirements for handling animal and food processing residuals (materials from food production and slaughter). It specifically creates definitions for "animal processing residuals," "commercial brokers" (who arrange transport), and "commercial haulers" (who transport residuals), requiring them to follow new storage, transfer, and transport rules. The bill also establishes mandatory "land application systems" for using these residuals on farms and preempts local ordinances that conflict with these state rules. Additionally, it abrogates (replaces) certain existing regulations related to these residuals. These changes directly affect agricultural operators, brokers, haulers, and municipalities managing waste from food and animal processing.