Sen. Lindsey Williams

Maddy summarySB 989 would require health insurance plans in Pennsylvania to cover immunizations (such as vaccines) without out-of-pocket costs for policyholders. The bill applies to all health insurance providers operating in the state and mandates that they include immunization coverage in their plans. It also imposes penalties on insurers that fail to provide this coverage. This change would directly affect insurance companies and ensure Pennsylvanians with health insurance have guaranteed access to immunization services.

Maddy summaryPennsylvania's SB 988 amends crop insurance provisions to support farmers who plant cover crops (like grasses or legumes for soil health). It creates a $5 per acre rebate for farmers who pay federal crop insurance premiums on land where cover crops are planted, following USDA guidelines. The rebate program requires verification of cover crop planting and prohibits double funding from other state or federal grants. Eligible farmers must apply through the state department, with rebates distributed proportionally if funds are limited. This directly affects Pennsylvania agricultural producers enrolled in federal crop insurance programs.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates August 2025 as "Emergency Management Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania. It recognizes the work of emergency managers across all sectors - including local officials, the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, and federal partners - and encourages all Pennsylvania residents to express appreciation for their efforts in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from emergencies and disasters. The resolution has no binding policy requirements or funding changes.

Maddy summarySB 965 establishes a two-year Maternal Health Monitoring Pilot Program (2026-2027 and 2027-2028) for pregnant individuals in Pennsylvania who have hypertension or diabetes and receive medical assistance or are enrolled in participating managed care plans. The program provides free home monitoring devices (like blood pressure cuffs and glucose meters) and connects participants with clinical teams for health coaching and condition management during pregnancy and up to three months postpartum. Managed care organizations must contract with a vendor to administer the program, serving no more than 300 participants across at least two counties, including one with a maternity care desert. The Department of Health will evaluate outcomes through a report due within 24 months after the pilot ends.

Maddy summarySB 72 strengthens Pennsylvania's Construction Workplace Misclassification Act by increasing penalties for employers who wrongly classify workers as independent contractors. It adds criminal penalties (misdemeanors to felonies based on prior offenses), creates a private right for misclassified employees to sue for triple back pay plus attorney fees, and expands debarment authority to exclude violators from public construction projects for up to five years. The bill directly affects construction employers, workers on public projects, and contractors doing state work, while prohibiting retaliation against those reporting violations. These changes aim to enforce proper worker classification and compensation under the existing 2010 law.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits adoption and foster care agencies from denying services based on protected characteristics like sexual orientation, gender identity, race, religion, HIV status, or disability. It bans extra screenings, delays, or denials for these reasons when placing children or approving caregivers, and prevents religious discrimination in placements. The law applies directly to all county agencies and private providers authorized to offer foster care, kinship care, or adoption services in Pennsylvania. Agencies must follow these rules when making placement decisions or processing applications.

Maddy summarySB 567 requires counties (second through eighth class) to conduct regular, mandatory countywide property reassessments on a set schedule, addressing a Supreme Court finding that Pennsylvania's outdated "base year" assessment system violates constitutional uniformity requirements. It mandates counties to update property values at least every 10 years through parcel data reviews and notify the Department of Revenue within 30 days after certification. The bill establishes that compliant assessments are presumed uniform in court, limiting appeals unless specific conditions like property division or use changes occur. This directly affects counties managing budgets, school districts (which must follow tax increase limits after reassessment), and property owners facing updated tax valuations.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 119) is a non-binding request from the Pennsylvania Senate urging Congress to support the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025 and amend federal law. It specifically seeks to change current requirements under the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, which currently restricts school milk options to fat-free or low-fat varieties. The resolution asks Congress to allow whole milk and 2% reduced-fat milk (flavored or unflavored) in Pennsylvania's elementary and secondary schools, and directs federal agencies to update dietary guidelines accordingly. This would permit schools to offer these milk types without risking federal funding, but the resolution itself does not alter any existing law or standards.

Maddy summarySB 950 requires pet cremation providers in Pennsylvania to clearly explain service options to pet owners and intermediaries (like veterinarians or pet shops). It mandates written disclosures detailing three cremation types: private (single pet, ashes returned), individual-partitioned (multiple pets separated, ashes returned), and communal (multiple pets, no ashes returned). Providers must also certify returned ashes and maintain records for five years. The law directly affects pet owners, cremation providers, and businesses handling pet remains, aiming to prevent confusion and ensure transparency in pet cremation services.

Maddy summarySB 898 amends Pennsylvania's Waterfront Development Tax Credit program under the Tax Reform Code. It establishes 60-day timelines for the Department of Revenue to approve or renew waterfront development organizations' applications and projects. The bill increases the maximum tax credit from 75% to 90% of a business's annual contribution and raises the annual cap on total tax credits from $5 million to $10 million. These changes directly affect waterfront development organizations and businesses making qualifying contributions to eligible projects.