Sen. Pat Stefano

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 219) commemorates the January 31, 2025, Learjet 55 medevac crash in Northeast Philadelphia that killed eight people - including crew, passengers, and two bystanders - and injured 23 others. It honors the victims and specifically recognizes the emergency responders (firefighters, police, medical staff) and community volunteers who aided in the immediate aftermath. The resolution serves as a symbolic tribute to their actions during the crisis, without creating any new laws or affecting policies. It is a non-binding expression of remembrance by the Pennsylvania Senate.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates January 25-31, 2026, as "Catholic Schools Week" in Pennsylvania. It formally expresses the Senate's appreciation for Catholic elementary and secondary schools across the state, which educate over 100,000 students. The resolution has no binding effect or policy changes - it is a symbolic gesture recognizing these schools' role in education and community values. It directly honors Catholic schools and their contributions to Pennsylvania communities.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Pennsylvania to align its scheduling of synthetic psilocybin with federal changes. Specifically, it mandates that after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approves a federal scheduling change for synthetic psilocybin, the Pennsylvania Secretary of Health must schedule it within five business days and the change takes effect 30 days after publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. The law directly affects state health authorities and regulatory processes, ensuring Pennsylvania’s rules mirror federal actions without creating new medical uses or penalties. It does not alter current state restrictions but establishes a procedural mechanism for future alignment.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania law to strengthen background checks for individuals working with children in childcare settings. It prohibits hiring or approving applicants with certain criminal histories, including convictions for strangulation, arson, interstate domestic violence, or being listed on sex offender or child abuse perpetrator registries. The rule applies specifically to employers, administrators, and volunteers at child day-care centers, group day-care homes, and family child-care homes. The changes take effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summarySB 1145 establishes a Compliance Review and Reporting Program to ensure healthcare facilities serving children comply with mandatory reporting laws for suspected sexual abuse or exploitation. It requires the Pennsylvania Department of Health to review facility records during inspections, verify that required reports were filed with child protective services, and confirm reports match patient encounters with the Department of Human Services. Facilities failing to report must have the names of non-reporting mandated healthcare workers recorded, while non-compliant facilities will be publicly listed on the Department of Health’s website (without victim or reporter details). The bill directly affects hospitals and healthcare facilities licensed to provide child medical care, aiming to strengthen enforcement of existing child abuse reporting requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill modernizes Pennsylvania's estate laws to allow electronic wills. It defines "will" to include digital documents and creates new rules for creating, signing, and revoking wills online. Key provisions require witnesses to observe the testator via video call (virtual "presence") and follow specific digital execution steps, while still permitting traditional paper wills. The law directly affects Pennsylvanians creating estate plans, making it easier to use digital tools without losing legal validity.

Maddy summarySB 1137 allows individuals denied a firearm transaction due to their criminal, juvenile, or mental health records to challenge the accuracy of those records. The bill requires the Pennsylvania State Police to accept written challenges within 30 days of denial and permits the person to request subpoenas for documents supporting the denial. This process provides a formal mechanism for correcting potential errors in the records used during background checks. The bill directly affects anyone denied a firearm based on these records in Pennsylvania.

Maddy summarySB 1076, the Local Hire Act, requires at least 50% of workers on public works projects costing over $500,000 to be hired from the local labor market (defined as Pennsylvania counties and adjacent bordering counties). Employers unable to meet this requirement must post job openings on PA CareerLink® for three business days; if no qualified local applicants are found, they may obtain a waiver but must contribute to a training fund based on the collective bargaining agreement for each waived position. The Department of Labor and Industry oversees the waiver process and enforces penalties for non-compliance. This law applies to contractors working on state or local government construction, repair, or alteration projects (excluding maintenance work).

Maddy summarySB 1108 changes how election officers are selected in Pennsylvania election districts. Instead of being elected by voters, district election boards (judge, majority inspector, and minority inspector) will now be appointed by county election boards. The bill repeals rules for resolving tie votes in elections and requires that the judge of election be from the majority party in the district, while the majority and minority inspectors must represent the two largest parties based on the previous November election. These changes directly affect county election boards and local election districts by shifting appointment authority and adding party representation requirements.

Maddy summarySB 734 designates a specific location for a commemorative bell monument at the Pennsylvania State Capitol to mark the 250th anniversary of the U.S. founding, highlighting Pennsylvania's historical role. The bill requires the Department of General Services to prepare the site and take ownership of the monument after the America250PA Commission disbands, ensuring its long-term maintenance. This procedural bill does not create new policies or affect residents directly, but formally authorizes the monument's placement on Capitol grounds.