Sen. Greg Rothman

Maddy summarySB 197 amends Pennsylvania's Physical Therapy Practice Act to create a "certificate of authorization" allowing licensed physical therapists to practice without a doctor's referral. To qualify, therapists must pass an exam on evaluative procedures, have two years of continuous practice, and maintain $1 million in professional liability insurance. This applies only to therapists meeting these specific requirements, not all physical therapists. The bill also updates continuing education rules, requiring 30 hours every two years (excluding office management courses) for license renewal.

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 204 amends Pennsylvania's 1978 Storm Water Management Act to update the Department of Environmental Resources to the Department of Environmental Protection and revise administrative references. It adds new requirements for the department to conduct annual water quality testing of surface waters, review watershed storm water plans with the Department of Community and Economic Development, and provide technical assistance to municipalities. The bill repeals outdated specific funding language from the original act that referenced a $500,000 appropriation for 1978-79. These changes directly affect the Department of Environmental Protection, municipalities, and counties responsible for implementing storm water management plans.

Maddy summaryThis bill reorganizes Pennsylvania's Emergency Management Agency by updating who serves on its governing council and clarifying the director's role. It specifies that the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Council will include the Governor, cabinet secretaries, legislative leaders, and nonvoting representatives from local governments, business, and labor. The bill also requires the Governor to appoint a State Director (with Senate approval) who will serve as the primary coordinator for disaster response efforts under federal declarations. This is a procedural change to agency structure, not a policy shift affecting public services or funding.

Maddy summarySB 157 amends Pennsylvania's Human Services Code to require the state department to provide detailed annual reports to legislative committees about specific public assistance program data. The bill mandates reporting on lottery winnings affecting cash assistance eligibility (including denial rates for $600+ winnings), vehicle exemptions, access device replacements, and violations of spending rules. These reports must include specific statistics and communication gaps related to program implementation. The requirement applies to the Health and Human Services Committees in both legislative chambers, aiming to increase transparency in public assistance administration.

Maddy summarySB 155 requires Pennsylvania's Department of Human Services to check death certificates monthly against recipients of medical assistance and SNAP benefits. This administrative change directly affects individuals receiving these programs by ensuring payments stop promptly upon a recipient's death. The bill adds a specific monthly verification process to the Human Services Code, aiming to prevent overpayments without altering benefit eligibility or amounts. It does not change program rules or funding but standardizes how recipient eligibility is verified.

Maddy summarySB 156 requires Pennsylvania's Department of Human Services to verify recipients' income and employment records quarterly against data held by the Department of Labor and Industry. This applies directly to individuals receiving medical assistance and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. The bill adds this uniform verification process to the Human Services Code to standardize how eligibility is confirmed.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 13 designates January 27, 2025, as "International Holocaust Remembrance Day" in Pennsylvania. The resolution commemorates the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau on January 27, 1945, and aligns with the United Nations' annual observance of this day. It formally recognizes the Holocaust's historical significance and the importance of remembering its victims. As a symbolic resolution, it does not create new laws or policies but serves as a ceremonial declaration by the Pennsylvania Senate.

Maddy summarySB 22 amends Pennsylvania's mental health laws to protect minors under age 16 on social media. It prohibits social media companies from intentionally causing minors to access harmful content that risks their physical or mental health, with penalties including fines. Companies must take "good faith" steps to block such content, and recovered damages from violations will fund mental health services for students. The law directly affects social media platforms operating in Pennsylvania and aims to address rising teen mental health concerns linked to social media use.

Maddy summarySB 183 requires food establishments that bottle water for human consumption to comply with federal food safety standards (21 CFR) instead of Pennsylvania’s state rules. It prohibits additional state labeling requirements beyond federal mandates and ensures bottled water products follow only federal recall procedures. The bill shifts enforcement authority for bottled water safety exclusively to federal agencies, overriding conflicting state regulations. This directly affects local water bottlers and beverage producers operating in Pennsylvania.