Sen. Wayne Langerholc

Maddy summaryThis bill requires parental consent before schools can offer specific types of virtual mental health services to students. It defines these services as online peer support groups, counseling from non-licensed individuals, and behavioral health support provided by artificial intelligence. The law also clarifies that it does not protect unlicensed individuals from legal penalties if they provide services outside of their professional scope. While the bill establishes these consent rules, it does not change the list of licensed professionals who can currently provide mental health care.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates a specific bridge on Pennsylvania Route 72 in Swatara Township as the Senator David J. Arnold, Jr., Memorial Bridge to honor his service. The legislation officially names the structure after the late state senator, who previously served as Lebanon County's district attorney and later as a state senator. To implement this change, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is required to install and maintain signs displaying the new name for drivers traveling in both directions. The act will become effective 60 days after being signed into law.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes minor wording changes to a Pennsylvania statute that governs electric utility planning and energy conservation programs. Specifically, it adds the word "solely" to a section and removes the word "not" from another, which alters how the law defines the scope of utility plans. These adjustments affect public utilities and the state agencies that oversee their energy efficiency initiatives. The changes do not introduce new policies or programs but instead refine existing legal language regarding how utilities must structure their conservation efforts.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania laws to increase penalties for driving while a license is suspended or revoked due to alcohol or drug offenses. It allows judges to impose short jail sentences of up to 90 days for first-time offenders and raises fines, while also clarifying that these penalties do not prevent defendants from working or receiving probation. The legislation further mandates that individuals seeking a limited driving license must install an ignition interlock device in their vehicle and self-certify ownership of the cars they intend to operate. Additionally, it requires ignition interlock vendors to report any device violations to the state within a specific timeframe to ensure continued compliance.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes minor adjustments to Pennsylvania's vehicle laws, specifically targeting rules regarding racing on highways and the handling of impounded vehicles. It seeks to remove the word "intentional" from a specific provision, clarify language about controlled or uncontrolled substances, and change the authority responsible for certain vehicle matters from municipalities to counties. These changes aim to refine how traffic enforcement and penalties are applied without altering the fundamental structure of the state's vehicle code.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Liquor Code to allow the removal of citations issued to liquor store and restaurant owners for failing to follow COVID-19 safety rules. It specifically targets violations of health orders, quarantine guidelines, and other pandemic-related directives that occurred while the state's disaster emergency proclamation was active in 2020. Under the new provision, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board must erase these penalties and notify the affected businesses within 30 days of the bill's effective date, ensuring no fines are charged for these past infractions.

Maddy summarySB 1263 amends Pennsylvania's Local Option Small Games of Chance Act to update definitions and regulations for games of chance, specifically introducing rules for electronic pull-tab devices used on-site at licensed locations. The bill clarifies that these electronic devices must be passive tools that do not determine game outcomes or accept coins, while also adjusting prize limits and sales restrictions for various raffles and daily drawings. It further modifies licensing requirements for clubs and taverns, outlines procedures for special permits for larger raffles, and establishes new reporting and enforcement measures to ensure compliance with the law.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution directs the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing to study how post-traumatic stress disorder, military sexual trauma, and traumatic brain injury affect service members, veterans, and their families within the criminal justice system. The study specifically examines individuals involved in Veterans Treatment Courts and expands the scope to include those enrolled in these programs for up to 15 years. By mandating this comprehensive review, the bill aims to gather data on the unique challenges faced by this population rather than changing laws or sentencing guidelines.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Veterans Mental Health Services Program within the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to provide mental health care for state veterans. The program is designed for eligible veterans who have either exhausted their federal benefits from the Veterans Administration or are currently in an acute mental health crisis. Under the new program, eligible veterans can receive up to five reimbursed therapy sessions per year from participating health care providers, with the option for additional sessions if deemed necessary and approved by the department. To qualify, veterans must have been discharged under conditions other than dishonorable and must provide identification and a declaration form confirming their eligibility status before receiving treatment. The department is also required to publish a list of participating providers online and submit annual reports detailing the number of participants, providers, and sessions provided to state legislative committees.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the existing Pharmacy Audit Integrity and Transparency Act to impose stricter rules on pharmacy benefit managers and the pharmacies that work with them. The legislation prohibits PBMs from forcing pharmacies to accept lower reimbursement rates to join their networks, banning retroactive money take-backs, and outlawing hidden fees or practices that steer patients toward specific pharmacies solely for cost savings. Additionally, it requires PBMs to respond to pharmacy network requests within 30 days, mandates quarterly reporting on drug rebates, and tasks a state department with regulating PBMs and ensuring pharmacies are reimbursed at least the cost of the drugs they dispense.