Maddy summarySB 843, the "Do No Harm Act," prohibits healthcare providers in Pennsylvania from performing or prescribing certain medical procedures (including puberty blockers and hormones) on minors under 18 for the purpose of enabling them to live as a gender inconsistent with their sex assigned at birth. It specifically exempts procedures for congenital defects, medical emergencies, or ongoing treatments started before the law's effective date. The bill also bans insurers and government health programs from covering these procedures, imposes professional discipline and felony penalties for violations, and allows minors or their guardians to sue for damages within two years of reaching adulthood. It directly affects minors, healthcare providers, insurers, and government health programs.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis resolution designates August 31, 2025, as "Overdose Awareness Day" in Pennsylvania. It requests the Governor to issue a proclamation encouraging public officials and residents to observe the day through appropriate activities, and to order flags flown at half-staff. The resolution aims to raise awareness about drug overdoses, reduce stigma around substance use, and acknowledge the impact of overdose deaths on families and communities. It does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic recognition of the overdose crisis.
Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 122) urges Congress to pass H.R. 1947, which would authorize the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense to provide stellate ganglion block (SGB) therapy to veterans and service members with PTSD. SGB is a low-risk nerve block procedure proven to reduce PTSD symptoms like anxiety and hyperarousal, currently available to only 40% of veterans through existing treatments. The resolution highlights that untreated PTSD correlates with higher suicide risk, with 20 veteran suicides occurring daily in the U.S. It specifically requests Congress expand access to SGB therapy as an additional treatment option for veterans diagnosed with PTSD. This is a non-binding resolution, not a law, directing the Senate to formally recommend passage of H.R. 1947.
Maddy summarySB 83 increases allowable fees constables can charge for services in Pennsylvania, affecting both civil and criminal cases. Key changes include raising civil service fees (e.g., from $13 to $20 for serving documents) and criminal transport fees (e.g., from $17 to $25 per defendant), while maintaining exemptions for indigent defendants in criminal cases. The bill also specifies that counties must cover fees for indigent cases and clarifies reimbursement rates for travel expenses. These adjustments apply to all constables and deputy constables performing court-related duties under Pennsylvania law.
Maddy summarySB 181 amends Pennsylvania's Election Code to clarify how leftover campaign funds must be handled when a candidate or political committee ends its financial activity. It requires that residual funds be either used for election-related expenses, returned proportionally to contributors, or donated to a qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (with restrictions preventing donations to nonprofits connected to the candidate or their family). Candidates must submit a final report by January 31 each year. This directly affects candidates and political committees managing campaign finances. The bill provides specific rules for fund disposition without changing broader election procedures.
Maddy summarySB 831 modifies Pennsylvania's tax exemption for disabled veterans by expanding a property value reduction program. It provides tiered tax relief: veterans with a 10%+ service-connected disability (verified by the VA) receive $7,500 to $15,000 off their home's taxable value, depending on disability severity (10-29% to 70%+). This applies to veterans who own their primary residence solely, with a spouse, or as tenants by the entirety but do not qualify for the full exemption under existing law. The bill directly affects Pennsylvania veterans with military service-related disabilities who pay real estate taxes on their primary home.
Maddy summarySB 91 amends Pennsylvania's law providing tuition waivers for children of public safety personnel who die in the line of duty. It updates definitions to include rescue squad and ambulance service members as firefighters and clarifies residency requirements for out-of-state police officers. The bill adjusts the retroactive date for the educational benefit to January 1, 2004, making it available for children of those killed since that date, and prohibits institutions from reimbursing tuition or fees paid between 2004 and the bill's effective date. The legislation repeals the previous retroactivity section and removes historical findings from the law.
Maddy summarySB 138 creates a standardized volunteer service credit program for firefighters, emergency medical services (EMS) volunteers, and HAZMAT team members in Pennsylvania. It requires local governments to establish programs measuring volunteer contributions - like emergency response calls, training hours, and administrative support - to determine eligibility for tax credits. Volunteers must be certified through a multi-step process involving their organization’s leadership and local government review. The bill also mandates detailed service logs and sets specific requirements for HAZMAT team members, such as maintaining certifications and attending four annual drills. This program directly affects municipal volunteers seeking tax credits for their service.
Maddy summarySB 820 bans 19 specific food additives - including artificial trans fats, brominated vegetable oil, certain dyes (like Red 40 and Yellow 5), and high fructose corn syrup - in Pennsylvania food products, directly affecting manufacturers and distributors. It requires companies to disclose "Generally Recognized as Safe" (GRAS) ingredients and prohibits the use of the listed additives in food manufacturing or distribution. The law takes effect January 1, 2027, making these additives illegal for commercial food use in the state.
Maddy summarySB 814 exempts certain emergency preparedness items from Pennsylvania's sales tax during two specific 7-day periods in 2026 (March 2-9 and September 7-14). It directly affects individual consumers purchasing nonbusiness items like portable generators under $3,000, storm protection devices under $300, and emergency supplies (e.g., battery-powered lights, radios, fire extinguishers, or ice chests under $75). The bill defines "emergency preparedness items" precisely and specifies that tax exemption applies only to purchases made during the designated dates, even if delivery occurs later. This policy change provides temporary cost relief for residents preparing for potential emergencies.