Sen. Doug Mastriano

Maddy summarySB 195 creates new criminal offenses related to property occupancy and transactions in Pennsylvania. It defines unlawful possession of dwellings (e.g., entering with criminal intent or causing $1,000+ damage) as a felony of the third degree (§ 3601), and fraudulent sales/leases of residential property as a felony of the second degree (§ 3603). The bill also establishes a streamlined process for removing unauthorized occupants (defined as "squatters" without lease or authorization) via a sworn affidavit to law enforcement, requiring proof of notice and absence of litigation (Chapter 68A). These provisions directly affect individuals occupying properties without legal right and those engaging in deceptive property transactions.

Maddy summarySB 206 modifies Pennsylvania's personal income tax by setting a 3.07% rate for taxable years ending in 2025, after which no personal income tax will be collected for years beginning in 2026 or later. It also eliminates employer withholding requirements starting in 2026 if employees certify they had no prior-year tax liability and expect none for the current year. Additionally, the bill repeals the requirement for residents to file personal income tax returns and for Pennsylvania S corporations to submit annual returns for taxable years starting in 2026. These changes directly affect Pennsylvania residents, employees, employers, and S corporations.

Maddy summarySB 177 amends Pennsylvania's Whistleblower Law by updating the definition of "public body" to explicitly include state courts (like the Supreme Court), the General Assembly, and judicial agencies. This clarifies which government entities are covered under the law, ensuring employees reporting violations can seek protection when working with these specific bodies. The change directly affects state and local government employees who report suspected legal violations, making the scope of protected entities more precise. It is a procedural update to definitions, not a new protection or penalty.

Maddy summarySB 98 establishes rules for museums in Pennsylvania handling property loaned to them but not claimed by lenders for extended periods. It requires museums to maintain detailed records of loans (including lender contact info and property descriptions) and mandates lenders to update their contact details. If a lender hasn’t contacted a museum for 20 years (for indefinite loans) or five years after a fixed loan period ends, museums may terminate the loan and, after following specific notice procedures, claim title to the property. The law aims to resolve ownership disputes, reduce museum storage costs for unclaimed items, and ensure fair responsibility between museums and lenders.

Maddy summarySB 36 designates a 0.5-mile stretch of Germantown Avenue in Philadelphia (from West Lehigh Avenue to West Somerset Street) as the "Leo Rosenblum Memorial Highway." The bill commemorates Leo Rosenblum, a Holocaust survivor and founder of Leo's Men's and Boy's Apparel, which operated at that location for over 70 years. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation will install and maintain directional signs for the highway. This is a ceremonial designation with no policy changes or direct impact on residents or businesses beyond the road name.

Maddy summarySB 94 amends Pennsylvania's Taxpayer Relief Act to clarify how income is defined for senior citizens' property tax and rent rebate eligibility. It specifically allows seniors who were eligible for the rebate as of December 31, 2012, to retain their eligibility if their household income exceeds the limit solely due to a Social Security cost-of-living adjustment, but this exception expires on December 31, 2016. The bill updates the definition of "income" to include specific rules for counting Social Security benefits, excluding Medicare, and applies to tax years beginning after December 31, 2026. This directly affects low-income seniors in Pennsylvania who rely on these rebates.

Maddy summarySB 79 extends the time limit for prosecutors to file criminal charges for certain serious offenses in Pennsylvania from the standard timeframe to five years after the crime occurs. It directly affects prosecutors and defendants in cases involving specific major crimes, such as attempted murder, drug delivery resulting in death, aggravated assault, robbery, insurance fraud, and other listed offenses. The bill amends Pennsylvania's statute of limitations by adding these offenses to the "major offenses" category requiring prosecution within five years. This change applies to all offenses listed in the bill, including violent crimes, property crimes, and financial fraud, and takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (SR 9), not a substantive bill. It formally honors Virginia "Ginny" Thornburgh on her 85th birthday and recognizes her decades of advocacy work supporting people with disabilities. The resolution highlights her roles as a former Pennsylvania First Lady, her leadership with disability-focused organizations, her co-authorship of advocacy publications, and her personal connection to disability advocacy through her son. It has no policy impact or direct effect on residents or laws.

Maddy summarySB 139 allows parents of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder to request a one-year waiver from Pennsylvania's compulsory school attendance requirements for the 2025-2026 school year. To qualify, the child must have a recent clinical diagnosis, a medical assessment recommending intensive early intervention, and proof the services will continue during the waiver. If approved, the child remains eligible for early intervention services under state law, and parents retain the right to enroll them in school anytime during the waiver period. The waiver does not provide compensatory education for the time the child is not in school.

Maddy summarySB 59 clarifies Pennsylvania's definition of "community college" to explicitly include programs like career training, college-parallel courses, and credit courses for high school students. It grants the State Board of Education authority to set mandatory standards for community college facilities, curriculum, faculty qualifications, student enrollment, and degree requirements. The bill also requires the State Board to prescribe all types of diplomas and certificates awarded by community colleges and permits them to offer nursing bachelor's degrees to students with associate's in nursing. This directly affects community colleges and their students across Pennsylvania.