Sen. James Malone

Maddy summarySB 828 creates a program that reimburses Pennsylvania local governments (like cities, counties, and school districts) for up to 20% of the cost of purchasing "union-made" vehicles. A vehicle is "union-made" if it was assembled in the U.S. at a facility operating under a collective bargaining agreement. The program, administered by the Department of Community and Economic Development, uses a state fund financed by state appropriations and other sources, with grants awarded on a first-come, first-served basis until funds run out. Local governments must apply for reimbursement and provide proof the vehicles meet the "union-made" definition.

Maddy summarySB 845 requires commercial marinas and boat docks in Pennsylvania to implement electrical safety measures to prevent shock hazards. It mandates annual inspections by licensed electricians starting January 2025, installation of ground-fault protection (limiting electrical leakage to 100 milliamperes), and posting permanent warning signs stating "ELECTRIC SHOCK HAZARD RISK: NO SWIMMING WITHIN 100 YARDS" near water. These rules apply to facilities offering services for remuneration (e.g., rental, repairs), excluding privately owned docks used solely by owners or guests. The requirements take effect 60 days after enactment, with new electrical systems needing compliance after July 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 841 requires home health care agencies, home care registries, and their direct care workers (including those in Pennsylvania's Community Health Choices Program) to complete dementia-specific training. It mandates four hours of initial training and two hours of annual continued training covering Alzheimer's care, person-centered approaches, and dementia-related behaviors. Agencies must maintain documentation of this training in employee files and use department-approved curricula. The Department of Health will develop implementing regulations within one year, with the law taking effect 60 days after passage.

Maddy summarySB 834 adds a simple option on Pennsylvania driver's license and ID card applications for applicants to learn about joining the national bone marrow and blood cell donor registry. The state will include a link to the National Marrow Donor Program's website during the application process, allowing applicants to explore voluntary enrollment. This affects all Pennsylvanians applying for or renewing licenses, though signing up does not legally obligate them to donate if matched later. The bill requires a partnership between the state and the donor program to implement this information-sharing mechanism.

Maddy summarySB 307 establishes Pennsylvania's Purple Alert System to notify the public about missing persons with intellectual disabilities who are at risk of harm. The Pennsylvania State Police will operate the system, activating it when law enforcement determines a missing person has an intellectual disability (defined as significantly subaverage intellectual functioning with limitations in daily living skills like communication or self-care), is at risk due to health conditions, and sufficient location details are available. The bill also extends existing immunity protections to people assisting those identified in Purple Alert notifications, similar to the Amber Alert System. This policy directly affects individuals with intellectual disabilities who go missing and law enforcement agencies that can trigger the alerts.

Maddy summarySB 457 creates a loan program to provide financial assistance to Pennsylvania fire companies and EMS organizations for equipment, facility improvements, and related costs. The bill authorizes loans up to $750,000 for facility modernization or new construction, $750,000 for aerial firefighting apparatus, $200,000 for ambulances, and $75,000 for protective gear, with applicants required to contribute 20% of costs. Loans include a 2% interest rate, repayment terms up to 30 years, and require compliance with NFPA standards, including prohibitions on PFAS in protective equipment. The loan limits will automatically adjust annually based on inflation starting January 2027. This bill directly affects volunteer and community-based fire and EMS organizations seeking funding for operational needs.

Maddy summarySB 794 requires Pennsylvania insurance companies to obtain a municipal certificate before paying fire insurance claims exceeding $18,000 for structures within participating municipalities. If a fire loss equals or exceeds 60% of a building's total insurance coverage, insurers must transfer $4,000 per $15,000 of the claim amount to the municipality's designated officer for rebuilding or repairs. Municipalities must adopt an ordinance authorizing this process, and policyholders must report annual spending details to the municipality within one year, with potential fund confiscation if reporting or timelines are missed. This bill directly affects insurers, property owners, and municipalities that adopt the required ordinance.

Maddy summarySB 150 amends Pennsylvania's Human Relations Act to expand anti-discrimination protections by adding "sexual orientation," "gender identity or expression," and "use of guide or support animals" (due to blindness, deafness, or disability) to the list of protected categories. It updates the law to prohibit discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations by employers, housing providers, and public spaces based on these newly covered characteristics. The bill also clarifies that religious organizations are generally exempt from certain provisions but must comply when discrimination relates to "race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin or non-job related handicap or disability." This amendment broadens the 1955 law's scope to align with evolving anti-discrimination standards.

Maddy summarySB 745 amends Pennsylvania's Manufactured Home Community Rights Act to strengthen tenant protections and clarify rent increase rules for manufactured home residents. The bill requires community owners to allow resident associations and group meetings, mandates 180 days' notice for rent/fee increases (up from 60 days), and caps annual increases based on the regional consumer price index (max 4% or 2% if CPI is low). It also creates a process for owners to seek temporary 2% surcharges for extraordinary operating costs, requiring detailed financial disclosures and resident input before implementation. These changes directly affect manufactured home residents and community owners across Pennsylvania.

Maddy summarySB 667 designates Hershey's Kisses as Pennsylvania's official state candy. The bill formally names the confection as a symbolic recognition of the Hershey Company's economic and cultural ties to the state, including its manufacturing presence and tourism impact. This is a ceremonial designation with no legal or regulatory effects on residents, businesses, or state operations. It takes effect immediately upon passage and remains in force as long as Hershey's corporate headquarters stays in Pennsylvania.