Sen. Pat Stefano

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a pilot program called the Community-Engaged School for Success to support struggling schools in Pennsylvania by connecting them with local community resources. It designates schools as "community-engaged" if they are among the lowest 15% in academic performance or located in districts with at least 30% acute poverty, requiring them to hire coordinators and program managers to oversee new support services. These services include academic help, mental and dental health care, family engagement, and college preparation, provided by school staff or outside partners without replacing existing union-negotiated duties. The Department of Education is tasked with approving applications and designating at least 20 schools by September 2026 to begin this initiative.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes specific Pennsylvania cities to create regulated programs for shared low-speed electric scooters, allowing users to rent and ride them on public roads. It defines these scooters as lightweight devices with electric motors and sets clear rules, such as requiring riders to be at least 16 years old and limiting speeds to 15 miles per hour. The legislation also establishes safety requirements, including where scooters can be ridden, how they must be parked, and penalties for abandoned or improperly used vehicles.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 323 formally congratulates The Pennsylvania State University wrestling team on winning its 14th NCAA Division I Championship and honors Pennsylvania athletes who placed in both the men's and inaugural women's wrestling championships. The resolution highlights the team's historic dominance by citing specific records, such as setting a new tournament scoring record and producing multiple All-American wrestlers under head coach Cael Sanderson. It also recognizes individual achievements, including awards won by wrestlers like Mitchell Mesenbrink and the strong performance of Pennsylvania-native athletes across the tournament.

Maddy summarySB 375 repeals a requirement that schools provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training for staff every three years. Instead, it mandates that Pennsylvania schools obtain and maintain automated external defibrillators (AEDs) - heart rhythm shock devices - by requiring 2.5% of annual school safety funding to be used for purchasing AEDs and related training. The bill establishes an AED program requiring school staff to complete AED and CPR training through approved organizations like the American Heart Association, and it defines AEDs as portable devices that restore heart rhythm during cardiac arrest. This law directly affects all public and nonpublic schools in Pennsylvania, shifting focus from mandatory staff CPR training to AED availability and use.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's vehicle inspection rules by exempting the newest model year vehicles from emission testing for five years and removing the gas cap test requirement for cars manufactured without one. While these newer cars are waived from emission checks, they must still undergo visual inspections to ensure emissions control parts have not been tampered with. Additionally, the legislation directs the state to stop spending money on the enhanced emission inspection program in several specific counties and to submit a revised plan to the federal government proving those areas can still meet air quality standards without it.

Maddy summarySB 1286, known as the Kyle Costrello and Glenn Compton Law, amends Pennsylvania vehicle statutes to impose stricter penalties for careless driving that results in unintentional death. Under the new provisions, drivers convicted of this offense face a fine of up to $2,500 and a mandatory suspension of their operating privilege for up to two years. The bill also adds careless driving to a list of offenses that trigger an automatic six-month suspension of driving privileges. These changes apply to all licensed drivers in Pennsylvania and take effect 60 days after the bill is enacted.

Maddy summarySB 598 requires all Pennsylvania public school entities (including districts, charter schools, and career schools) to display the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution at the entrance of every school building. The bill mandates this display as a mounted plaque, though schools may optionally include student-created artwork from contests. It applies to all school buildings within the Commonwealth and takes effect 90 days after enactment. The legislation does not alter existing curriculum or impose new educational requirements, focusing solely on the physical placement of the Preamble.

Maddy summaryPennsylvania's SB 822 strengthens state preemption over local firearm regulations. It declares that state law exclusively governs all aspects of firearms, ammunition, and related items - including purchase, sale, possession, and transportation - nullifying any conflicting local ordinances, resolutions, or rules. The bill also creates a legal pathway for individuals or organizations adversely affected by local gun rules to seek court relief, including recovery of attorney fees and other costs if they successfully challenge such rules. This directly affects municipalities (cities, towns, counties) and residents or businesses operating under local firearm regulations that conflict with state law. The bill does not change existing firearm laws but explicitly prevents local governments from enacting stricter rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the maximum prison sentences for people convicted of attempting, conspiring, or soliciting murder, including the murder of unborn children and law enforcement officers. It establishes a 40-year maximum for these crimes when serious bodily injury occurs, and up to life imprisonment when serious bodily injury results specifically from attempts against law enforcement officers. Additionally, the law mandates a minimum 20-year prison sentence for anyone convicted of attempting, conspiring, or soliciting the murder of a law enforcement officer where serious bodily injury is caused, or for assaulting a law enforcement officer.

Maddy summarySB 1014 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code of 1949 to require public schools to adopt a "bell-to-bell phone-free policy" during the entire school day. This policy directly affects all public K-12 schools and students by prohibiting the use of personal electronic devices during instructional time. The key provision mandates that schools establish and enforce this policy, though the bill does not specify exemptions or implementation details. The legislation focuses on reducing distractions in classrooms by limiting student phone access from the start to the end of the school day. It is currently pending in the Education committee.