Sen. Judy Ward

Maddy summarySB 579 adds music therapy as a licensed profession under Pennsylvania's existing Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Professional Counselors Act. It requires individuals practicing music therapy to obtain a license to use the title "licensed professional music therapist" and defines the scope of practice, including clinical music interventions like improvisation and songwriting for therapeutic goals. The bill directly affects music therapists seeking to legally represent their credentials in Pennsylvania, while excluding students, supervised practitioners, and those not claiming to be licensed therapists. Key provisions clarify what constitutes "practice of music therapy" and establish the State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Professional Music Therapists to oversee licensing. This bill does not change employment requirements for government or nonprofit agencies.

Maddy summarySB 545 amends Pennsylvania's Minimum Wage Act to exempt minor league baseball players covered by collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) from minimum wage and overtime rules. It adds a specific exemption (Section 5(a)(13)) for players under CBAs detailing their wages and working conditions. The bill also modifies employer recordkeeping requirements (Section 8), exempting these players from needing employers to maintain certain records or allow inspections regarding their pay. This change directly affects minor league baseball teams and players in Pennsylvania under applicable CBAs. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summarySB 553 amends Pennsylvania's Regulatory Review Act to add a formal process for reviewing regulations disapproved by the Independent Regulatory Review Commission. It gives legislative committees 14 days to propose a concurrent resolution blocking such regulations, after which the legislature has up to 30 days to approve the resolution (with potential veto override). If the legislature fails to act, agencies may proceed with the regulation; if approved, agencies are barred from reissuing the same or similar rules without new legislative authorization. This directly affects state agencies seeking to implement regulations and legislative committees overseeing regulatory oversight.

Maddy summarySB 550 requires Pennsylvania statewide officials and General Assembly members to file their financial interest statements electronically starting May 1, 2026, replacing paper submissions. It mandates the Ethics Commission to create a searchable public database on its website by that date, allowing users to filter filings by individual name, office held, filing year, and whether a filing was amended. The database must also link amended filings to original submissions and offer email notifications for new filings. These changes aim to improve public access to financial disclosure records for state officials.

Maddy summarySB 566 creates an exemption for "historical agricultural buildings" (structures built before January 1, 1999, for agricultural use that now host weddings and events) from most Pennsylvania construction code requirements. Owners must annually file an affidavit or undergo inspection confirming compliance with specific fire safety, electrical, and accessibility standards from the International Existing Building Code. Key provisions include requiring smoke detectors (hard-wired or battery-powered), portable fire extinguishers, occupancy signage, liability insurance, and prohibiting smoking and open flames - while exempting the building from needing automatic sprinklers. This bill directly affects owners of these pre-1999 agricultural buildings seeking to host public events without full modern code compliance.

Maddy summarySB 551 adds a specific legal definition for "cremation" to Pennsylvania's statutes. It defines cremation as the technical process (including mechanical, thermal, or alkaline hydrolysis methods) that reduces human remains to bone fragments, including processing those fragments and placing them in a container. This definition applies to all statutes enacted on or after September 1, 1937, clarifying how the term is used in law. The bill directly affects any future or existing legislation using the term "cremation" by providing a consistent, technical meaning.

Maddy summarySB 568 requires social media platforms to remove nonconsensual intimate images of Pennsylvania residents within 48 hours of receiving a valid request. It directly affects individuals whose private images were shared without consent, as defined by Pennsylvania law. Platforms must establish a clear online portal for removal requests and are shielded from liability if they act in good faith. The law applies specifically to social media services that connect users for social interaction, excluding email or cloud services. It takes effect 90 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis ceremonial resolution (SR 73) designates the week of April 14-20, 2025, as "National Osteopathic Medicine Week" in Pennsylvania. It symbolically recognizes the contributions of doctors of osteopathic medicine (DOs), who provide patient-centered care focusing on the whole person, and highlights Pennsylvania's role as a national leader in osteopathic medicine (with 10,078 DOs and three osteopathic medical colleges). The resolution encourages Pennsylvanians to support public awareness of osteopathic medicine but does not create new laws, funding, or obligations.

Maddy summarySB 543 creates a new misdemeanor offense in Pennsylvania for "masked intimidation," defined as intentionally harassing, intimidating, or threatening someone while hiding one's face with a mask. It directly affects individuals who use face coverings to cause fear of physical harm, excluding common scenarios like holiday costumes, occupational safety, weather protection, artistic performances, or health-related mask-wearing during emergencies. The bill specifies that violating this provision carries a third-degree misdemeanor penalty but explicitly states it does not infringe on First Amendment rights. Key exceptions include masks worn for religious reasons, winter sports, medical safety, or emergency situations. The law would take effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summarySB 537 would require Pennsylvania's Medicaid program to reimburse providers for custom orthotics (like braces) and prosthetics (like artificial limbs) at rates no lower than the current Medicare fee schedule. This change directly affects Medicaid recipients needing these medical devices and the healthcare providers who supply them. The bill mandates that the state update its reimbursement rates quarterly to match Medicare's current rates for all applicable codes. This policy aligns Pennsylvania's Medicaid payments more closely with federal Medicare standards for these specific medical equipment items.