Sen. Pat Stefano

Maddy summarySB 693 amends the Mental Health Procedures Act to establish a "duty to warn" for qualified mental health professionals. This bill requires professionals to notify a potential victim and law enforcement when a patient communicates a specific and immediate threat of serious bodily injury against an identifiable person. If the potential victim attends a school or institution of higher education, the professional must also submit a report through the Safe2Say Program. Professionals acting in good faith in discharging this duty are protected from civil or criminal liability.

Maddy summarySB 652 proposes to amend Pennsylvania's Crimes and Offenses law by changing the definition of "dwelling" within the general principles of justification. The bill expands the current definition, which includes a building, structure, or attached porch/deck/patio, to also encompass "the parcel of land to the property lines and any building or structure erected thereon." This change would broaden the legal scope of what constitutes a "dwelling" for individuals in self-defense or similar justification cases.

Maddy summarySB 645 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to mandate cursive handwriting instruction in elementary schools. The bill defines "cursive handwriting" and requires it to be taught in all elementary public and private schools. Specifically, students must receive instruction to ensure they can read and write cursive by the end of fifth grade. These new requirements also apply to charter schools and cyber charter schools.

Maddy summarySB 653 amends the state's Tax Reform Code concerning personal income tax. The bill allows employees to deduct certain education-related expenses from their taxable income. Specifically, expenses for higher education or career and technical education that are reimbursed by an employer can be deducted, but only if that reimbursement was reported as Federal taxable income. This change would apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 87 commemorates September 2, 2025, as "V-J Day" in Pennsylvania, marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. It encourages local governments and communities throughout the Commonwealth to conduct appropriate observances.

Maddy summarySR 86 is a resolution that recognizes May 8, 2025, as the 80th anniversary of "Victory in Europe Day" or "V-E Day" in Pennsylvania. It expresses the Senate's respect and appreciation for the men and women who served in the European theater during World War II and pays tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Maddy summarySB 654 establishes the Veterans Mental Health Services Program within the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. This program is designed to provide mental health care to honorably discharged veterans who have exhausted their federal mental health benefits or are in an acute crisis. Eligible veterans can receive reimbursement for up to five mental health sessions per year from participating health care providers, with the possibility of additional sessions if approved. The department will publish a list of participating providers and issue an annual report on the program's reach and services provided.

Maddy summarySB 637 removes a residency requirement for municipal managers in Pennsylvania municipalities that use the manager form of government. It amends state law to state that a municipal manager no longer needs to live in the municipality or the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania at the time of appointment or during their tenure. The bill maintains existing rules that municipal managers cannot hold other elected governmental offices. This change takes effect 60 days after enactment. The bill directly affects municipalities operating under the municipal manager system by expanding the pool of eligible candidates for these roles.

Maddy summarySB 638 amends Pennsylvania's Election Code to require counties to forward contribution details from election expense reports to the Secretary of the Commonwealth. This change ensures that information about campaign contributions reported at the county level is automatically posted on the state's publicly accessible website. The bill directly affects candidates and political committees filing election expense reports, as they must now provide contribution details to counties, which then send the data to the state for public posting. This is a procedural transparency measure with no substantive change to election rules.

Maddy summarySB 636 would exempt sales tax on items and services related to guide, hearing, and service dogs in Pennsylvania. It directly affects disabled individuals and their caregivers by removing sales tax on veterinary care, medications, dog-specific supplies (like beds, collars, food), and maintenance services (such as grooming and boarding). The bill requires sellers to verify transactions involve a qualifying dog and either a disabled person or their representative. It amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code to create this specific exemption, pending final legislative approval. The bill is currently pending in the Finance Committee.