Sen. Pat Stefano

Maddy summarySB 955 creates a new mental health registration plate for Pennsylvania vehicles, featuring the Liberty Bell with a teal and purple ribbon and the phrase "Mental Health Matters." Vehicle owners (motorcycles, passenger cars, trucks under 14,000 pounds, or motor homes) can apply for this plate by paying a $42 fee, with $15 of that fee directed to a new Mental Health Restricted Account. This account, established under the bill, is specifically funded to support the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or its successor through the Department of Human Services. The bill directly affects vehicle owners seeking to display the plate and ensures dedicated funding for mental health crisis services.

Maddy summarySB 432 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to create new educational pathways for foster and adopted children attending state universities and colleges. The bill requires public higher education institutions to develop and implement specific support programs, including academic advising and financial aid coordination, for eligible students who were in foster care or adopted. It directly affects current and future foster youth and adopted children pursuing higher education within Pennsylvania's public university system. Key provisions establish standardized support mechanisms to improve access and retention for this population in state-funded institutions.

Maddy summarySB 800 amends Pennsylvania's fish and boating laws to clarify how fees collected from fishing and boating activities fund specific conservation efforts. It adds provisions allowing the Fish Fund to cover expenses related to boats/boating that benefit fish and fishing, and the Boat Fund to cover expenses related to fish/fishing that benefit boats/boating. The bill requires the Fish and Boat Commission to track and report all spending under these new provisions annually to legislative committees by January 31. These changes ensure transparency in fund usage while directing resources toward overlapping conservation priorities for both fish and boating infrastructure.

Maddy summarySB 766 amends Pennsylvania's Human Services Code to update licensing rules for child care centers, specifically changing eligibility requirements for children to attend these centers. The bill directly affects licensed child care providers and families seeking child care services by modifying who qualifies based on new criteria. Key provisions revise the Department of Human Services' powers regarding center licensing, requiring centers to verify eligibility according to the updated standards. This changes the operational rules for child care centers without altering funding or creating new programs.

Maddy summarySB 1038 requires healthcare providers and facilities to allow parents or legal guardians to be present during medical and dental examinations of minors. It directly affects parents of children under 18 and healthcare entities providing care to minors. The bill mandates that providers accommodate parental presence unless a minor specifically requests otherwise or a medical reason prevents it. It also imposes a duty on healthcare facilities to establish clear policies supporting this requirement.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 166) designates specific weeks in October 2025, January 2026, and April 2026 as "PIAA Officials Appreciation Weeks" in Pennsylvania. It directly honors officials of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA), a nonprofit organization overseeing high school sports. The resolution is purely symbolic, recognizing PIAA officials' contributions without creating new laws or altering policies. As a procedural resolution, it does not impose obligations or change funding.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 167) officially recognizes the week of October 5-11, 2025, as "National Newspaper Week" in Pennsylvania. It is a symbolic gesture by the state legislature to honor newspapers and their role in communities, with no binding legal effect or direct impact on newspaper operations or policies.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates October 2025 as "National Disability Employment Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania. It formally recognizes the importance of disability employment awareness during that month, without creating new laws, funding, or obligations. The resolution serves as a symbolic gesture to highlight inclusive hiring practices and opportunities for people with disabilities.

Maddy summarySR 171 is a resolution designating October 2025 as "Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania. It formally recognizes this month to raise public awareness about pregnancy loss and infant death. The resolution does not create new laws or affect any specific individuals or groups; it is purely symbolic. The measure was referred to the Rules & Executive Nominations committee on October 7, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 377 requires Pennsylvania state agencies to purchase information technology devices (like computers or tablets) that meet specific security standards when entering new public works contracts. It mandates that these devices, services, and solutions must be configurable, secure, and maintainable according to National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) guidelines or widely adopted industry security practices. The law applies only to contracts signed on or after its effective date (60 days after passage), affecting state agencies buying endpoint devices for public projects. This policy change directly impacts procurement decisions for IT hardware and services across Pennsylvania government operations.