Sen. Doug Mastriano

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Firefighter Cancer Screening Program and a dedicated fund to help Pennsylvania firefighters cover out-of-pocket costs for cancer screenings. The program is administered by the Insurance Department and specifically targets eligible firefighters, including those in airport fire companies that meet certain mutual aid and response criteria. Funding for these screenings will come from the Budget Stabilization Reserve Fund, which the bill modifies to allow for this specific expenditure. The legislation defines eligible participants and approved screening methods, such as magnetic resonance imaging or ultrasound, while excluding those who already have comprehensive health insurance coverage.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution officially designates July 18, 2026, as "Piping Plover Day" throughout Pennsylvania to honor the recovery of the endangered piping plover population. The measure directly affects residents and visitors of the state, particularly those who attend the annual Piping Plover Festival held at Presque Isle State Park. By setting aside a specific date for celebration, the bill aims to raise public awareness about the bird's conservation success and the collaborative efforts involved in its habitat restoration. This symbolic action recognizes the milestone of the species' tenth consecutive nesting season in the state after being absent for over 60 years.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes rules requiring the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services to deny payments for medical claims that violate specific federal funding limits on services provided to minors. It mandates that the department and the Office of Attorney General investigate any suspected violations of these payment restrictions by healthcare facilities or practitioners. If a provider is found to have knowingly submitted non-compliant claims, the bill allows for the suspension of their eligibility to receive state funds and requires them to repay between two and three times the amount of the invalid claim. Additionally, the legislation imposes penalties for failing to produce records or cooperate with investigations into these compliance issues.

Maddy summarySB 357 repeals Pennsylvania's requirement for a license to carry a firearm, removing Section 6106 which previously mandated licenses for concealed carry. It requires counties to provide free lockers for checking firearms at court facilities and updates rules for convicted persons to relinquish firearms and licenses. The bill also repeals Philadelphia-specific restrictions on carrying firearms on public streets and revises provisions related to firearms in vehicles and hunting. These changes primarily affect firearm owners, law enforcement, and court facility users by altering licensing, carrying, and storage requirements. The bill makes technical amendments across multiple statutes but does not create new licensing requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a three-year pilot program to provide grants for treating veterans with traumatic brain injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder. The State Veterans' Commission will award $150,000 annually to nonprofit organizations, academic institutions, and healthcare providers selected from the eastern, central, and western regions of Pennsylvania. Recipients must use the funds to develop and evaluate treatment programs aimed at improving mental health outcomes and reducing suicide risk among veterans. The program is set to expire three years after it begins, and the state will submit annual reports to the legislature detailing how the grants were used and their effectiveness.

Maddy summarySB 469 provides $1 annual fishing and hunting licenses for eligible law enforcement officers in Pennsylvania. It directly affects officers employed by defined law enforcement agencies (including campus police, airport authorities, railroad police, and county park forces) who qualify for resident licenses. The bill creates a $1 fee for both fishing licenses (under Title 30) and hunting licenses (under Title 34), replacing standard fees for these officers. Key provisions define "law enforcement agency" broadly and specify that officers must provide employment documentation to qualify. The policy change takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summarySB 127 changes Pennsylvania's Public School Code to make Holocaust, genocide, and human rights violations education mandatory for all schools starting in the 2026-2027 school year. It requires schools to integrate this instruction into required social studies and language arts courses, replacing the previous voluntary approach. The bill mandates that curriculum guidelines and teacher training programs be developed by the Department of Education to support this requirement. This affects all public school districts, charter schools, and private schools within Pennsylvania.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as Alice's Law, strengthens protections for older adults in Pennsylvania by creating a statewide registry to track individuals who have abused or neglected elderly people. It requires facilities to immediately remove employees from duty if they are accused of abuse and to terminate staff members who appear on the new registry. The legislation also clarifies rules for reporting suspected abuse, ensuring that reports are sent to both the department and the coroner while maintaining confidentiality for the identity of the person who made the report. Additionally, the bill expands immunity for agencies and workers acting in good faith and increases administrative fines for facility owners or administrators who fail to comply with these new reporting and safety requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires public schools and universities in Pennsylvania to explicitly label their athletic teams as male, female, or coed, while prohibiting female teams from allowing male participation. It protects schools from facing complaints or investigations for maintaining separate sports for girls and allows students to sue for damages if they are harmed by violations of these labeling and separation rules. The law also permits schools to sue if they are penalized by outside organizations for following these guidelines, and it applies to all public education and higher education institutions in the state.

Maddy summarySB 993 amends Pennsylvania laws to clarify and expand local government authority over veterans' memorials. It directly affects boroughs, third-class cities, and counties by requiring them to maintain, repair, and preserve existing memorials for war veterans, not just erect new ones. The bill specifies that these local governments must manage memorials on public property, including completing repairs and ensuring their upkeep, while also updating related corporate power provisions. This focuses on practical maintenance rather than new memorial construction.