Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's Liquor Code to regulate the sale and distribution of ready-to-drink cocktails, which are defined as premixed alcoholic beverages containing between 0.5% and 12.5% alcohol by volume. It establishes a new permit system allowing restaurants, hotels, and distributors to sell these drinks while restricting sales for off-premises consumption after 11 p.m. The legislation also clarifies rules for Pennsylvania Liquor Stores regarding wholesale sales to licensees and special order restrictions, while expanding import licenses to include ready-to-drink cocktails. Additionally, the bill introduces specific provisions for limited distilleries and updates definitions to ensure clarity across the state's alcohol regulatory framework.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill updates the funding rules for Pennsylvania's state universities by requiring a council to select no more than six performance metrics to distribute specific portions of state appropriations. If the council fails to meet its reporting deadline, a pre-defined set of default metrics will automatically take effect to allocate funds based on graduation rates, tuition costs, retention, and degrees in high-priority fields. The law also establishes a five-year review cycle to reassess these performance measures and outlines a process for funding the administrative costs of implementing the new system.
Maddy summaryThis bill expands the definition of eligible institutions for Pennsylvania's Grow Pennsylvania scholarship programs to include schools approved under the Higher Education Scholarship Law and those established under Article XIX-G. It updates the list of covered academic areas to include special education, STEM, and allied health fields while clarifying that students may take occasional online courses. The legislation also modifies repayment rules by allowing agencies to charge interest on unearned scholarships and permitting students to switch between different approved courses of study without losing eligibility. Additionally, the bill requires the state to actively market these programs online at least every three years and ensures that scholarship funds do not disqualify schools from receiving other state grants.
Maddy summarySB 1236 amends the Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951 to clarify legal definitions regarding who qualifies as a tenant versus an owner. The bill expands the definition of a lease to include oral agreements and situations where an owner accepts rent, while explicitly stating that someone who is not or has never been a tenant does not fall under these protections. By making these textual changes, the legislation updates the rules used to determine recovery of possession and notice requirements for landlords and tenants.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's insurance laws to require health insurance policies to cover medically necessary telemedicine services provided by participating network providers. It explicitly prohibits insurers from denying coverage or reimbursement solely because a service is delivered remotely via video, audio, or asynchronous methods. The legislation also prevents contracts from conditioning reimbursement on the use of specific proprietary technology or vendors, ensuring providers can use various telemedicine tools. By defining terms like telemedicine and remote patient monitoring, the law standardizes how these services are treated under existing insurance plans and managed care programs.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires students to keep their cell phones in lockable bags during school hours to enhance safety and security. It clarifies that this rule does not prevent school employees from using their own phones for work-related tasks. Additionally, the legislation mandates that the school safety committee include a report on this pilot program in the annual school safety report.
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 amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code to update rules for the rural jobs and investment tax credit program. It establishes two categories of investment authority based on when they were issued and sets specific spending limits of $50 million for each category. The legislation also defines what counts as a rural growth investment, clarifies how businesses can claim tax credits over several years, and adds stricter limits on how much a single rural business can receive to prevent concentration of funds.
Maddy summaryThis law creates two new funds to support advanced manufacturing projects by partnering with state institutions. It requires any construction work funded by these grants or loans to pay workers at least the prevailing wage and benefits determined by the Department of Labor and Industry. Additionally, the bill mandates that recipients make a good faith effort to hire workers from the local labor market for construction, demolition, and repair tasks. These requirements apply to all contractors and subcontractors involved in the projects, ensuring fair pay and local employment opportunities.