Sen. James Malone

Maddy summarySB 344 creates a new 2026 special payment for retired municipal police officers and firefighters who began receiving retirement benefits before January 1, 2021. Retirees will receive monthly payments ranging from $75 (5-10 years retired) to $300 (20+ years retired) based on their retirement duration as of January 1, 2026. Municipalities must initially pay these adjustments but will later receive reimbursement from the state, provided they submit required certification by April 1 each year. The bill updates an existing 1988 law to add this new payment tier while clarifying state reimbursement rules for past adjustments.

Maddy summarySB 689 amends Pennsylvania's Milk Marketing Law to establish a new "board-established premium" fee on Class 1 fluid milk, directly affecting dairy producers and milk dealers through pricing changes. The bill allows the Pennsylvania Milk Board to set these premiums based on cost of production, price received, and return on equity, with a requirement for legislative review by the Agriculture Committees. If committees fail to disapprove within 30 days (or six session days), the premium is deemed approved. The law also modifies how premiums are collected (via the Department of Revenue), distributed, and exempt from standard administrative review processes, while updating cooperative marketing rules.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 129) honors the late Pennsylvania State Representative Matthew R. Gergely and expresses condolences to his family following his death. It formally recognizes his life, career in McKeesport (including roles as City Administrator and Chief Revenue Officer), and service as a state representative for the 35th district. The resolution, adopted on June 23, 2025, directs the Senate to convey these condolences to his wife, children, and other surviving family members. It does not create any new policy or affect any laws.

Maddy summarySB 700 requires Pennsylvania public schools to adopt research-backed reading curricula aligned with the science of reading, beginning with the 2026-2027 school year. It mandates schools to use approved reading screeners to identify early literacy struggles, develop intervention plans for struggling students, and notify parents about their child’s reading progress. The bill creates a state list of approved curricula and screeners, overseen by a 20-member Reading Leadership Council including teachers and specialists, and requires schools to report adoption and screening data. Schools must also provide free, required professional development for educators on evidence-based reading instruction and intervention methods. This directly affects all K-3 public school students, their teachers, and parents through updated curriculum, screening, and intervention requirements.

Maddy summarySB 854 requires owners or managers of certain public buildings (like stadiums, airports, or large shopping centers), State-owned buildings, and health care facilities to install and maintain at least one accessible adult changing station. These stations must include a height-adjustable table meeting specific size and weight capacity standards (25x72 inches, 400-pound capacity) and be accessible to all genders. The requirement applies to new construction or major renovations (costing $20,000+) starting four years after the law's effective date, with immediate implementation for new buildings. The bill defines "public buildings" as those serving 1,500+ people daily (e.g., convention centers, movie theaters over 40,000 sq ft) and "health care facilities" as hospitals, nursing homes, or hospices.

Maddy summarySB 856, the Electronic Waste Recycling Modernization Act, creates a statewide system for recycling household electronics like computers, monitors, TVs, and printers. It requires manufacturers to pay an "eco-fee" on new device sales, which funds collection, transportation, and recycling through a state-managed clearinghouse. The bill sets minimum collection site requirements for communities, mandates manufacturer stewardship plans, and establishes an advisory committee to oversee implementation. Penalties apply for failing to meet recycling obligations or environmental standards. This directly affects electronics manufacturers, local governments handling collection, and consumers through the added fee on new devices.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all Pennsylvania public schools (including school districts, charter schools, and cyber charters) to develop written comprehensive school counseling plans. Each plan must ensure 80% of a school counselor's time is spent on direct student services (like individual counseling, classroom instruction) or indirect services (like parent consultations), with annual reviews and grade-level planning. The plans must address academic, career, and social-emotional needs for all students, including those with special needs, and align with state guidance. School counselors must hold valid Pennsylvania certification to implement these requirements.

Maddy summarySB 506 establishes Pennsylvania's Child Care Staff Recruitment and Retention Program within the Human Services Code. It provides qualified child care providers (like certified centers, family homes, or children's institutions with active subsidy agreements) with annual lump-sum payments to fund retention bonuses ($1,000 max per staff member) and recruitment bonuses ($1,000 max per new hire) for staff who directly supervise children. The program requires providers to apply within 45 days of posting, prohibits using funds to replace existing wages, and mandates annual reporting to the legislature on payments, locations, and applications. Providers must use funds strictly for staff bonuses within the fiscal year and maintain records for audits.

Maddy summarySB 721 creates a new supplemental annuity for certain Pennsylvania state retirees, effective July 1, 2025. It adds a monthly payment based on the retiree's original retirement date, ranging from 15% to 24.5% of their existing annuity (higher percentages for earlier retirees). This applies specifically to eligible recipients in the State Employees' Retirement System (Title 24) and another state retirement system (Title 71), excluding those with certain service classifications or who died before 2025. The additional payments will be funded through annual installments over 10 years starting in 2026. The bill does not change existing retirement eligibility or other benefit structures.

Maddy summarySB 847 requires Pennsylvania borough councils to appoint a registered borough resident (who has lived there continuously for at least one year) to fill vacant elected offices like mayor, council member, or auditor within 30 days. If councils fail to act, a "vacancy board" (composed of council members plus one appointed elector) must fill the vacancy within 15 additional days. If the vacancy board also fails, the court of common pleas appoints a resident to serve until the next municipal election. This directly affects all Pennsylvania boroughs and their residents who must meet residency requirements for temporary appointments.