Sen. Art Haywood

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 91 designates May 2025 as "Lyme Disease and Tick-Borne Illness Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania. This resolution aims to increase public awareness among Pennsylvania residents about the prevention, causes, effects, and treatment options for Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 659 proposes to amend Pennsylvania's Oil and Gas statutes by requiring the installation of combustible gas detectors in various buildings. Owners of residential buildings, multifamily dwellings, dormitories, child-care facilities, and lodging establishments would need to install these detectors in rooms containing appliances fueled by propane, natural gas, or liquefied petroleum gas. Beginning January 1, 2026, this requirement would extend to assembly, business, and mercantile occupancy buildings. For residential rental units, the bill outlines responsibilities for landlords to provide and maintain detectors, and for tenants to report deficiencies and not disable the devices. The bill also imposes a penalty for non-compliance.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 88 recognizes the week of April 20 through 26, 2025, as "National Infertility Awareness Week" in Pennsylvania. This resolution aims to raise awareness about infertility, which affects many couples, and support efforts to remove barriers to care and reduce stigma.

Maddy summarySB 685 amends Pennsylvania's Air Pollution Control Act to update requirements for certain industrial facilities and increase civil penalties for violations. The bill mandates that "major facilities" develop municipal notification plans to alert their host and adjacent communities within 12 hours of an air pollution event caused by equipment breakdown or accident that poses a significant health risk. These plans must also outline risk mitigation measures for residents and be updated annually. Additionally, the bill raises the maximum daily civil penalty for violations of the act from $25,000 to $37,500 for infractions occurring after the fifth year of enforcement.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 660 amends Pennsylvania's Oil and Gas law, specifically updating requirements for well reporting and chemical disclosure related to hydraulic fracturing. The bill requires operators to include a declaration that chemical products used in hydraulic fracturing contain no intentionally added PFAS chemicals in their stimulation records. It also clarifies and expands the responsibilities of manufacturers, service providers, and operators regarding chemical disclosures, even when trade secrets are involved. Additionally, it updates the process for health professionals to access chemical information during medical emergencies.

Maddy summarySB 678 amends Pennsylvania's Wage Payment and Collection Law to establish specific liability for general contractors in the construction industry. It makes general contractors jointly responsible for violations of wage payment laws committed by subcontractors providing construction services. The bill also requires subcontractors to repay general contractors for these liabilities, including wages and fees, unless otherwise specified in their contract or if the general contractor caused the violation by not paying promptly. These changes apply to construction contracts entered into on or after the bill's effective date.

Maddy summarySB 684 amends Pennsylvania's Oil and Gas statutes to update provisions for notifying public and private drinking water systems about spills. The bill requires the Department to investigate spills upon receiving notification. After investigating, the Department must notify any public drinking water facility or private well owner that could be affected by the event. This notification must include a brief description of the spill and any expected impact on water quality.

Maddy summarySB 673 establishes a public tracking system for housing in Pennsylvania that receives government financial assistance. It requires the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) to create and maintain a publicly accessible, searchable online database. This database will include property addresses, anticipated termination dates for affordability restrictions, and information on potential extensions. PHFA must also submit annual reports to the Governor and General Assembly detailing properties with expiring affordability restrictions.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 676 amends the Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law to regulate automatic renewal and continuous service offers made by businesses to consumers. It requires businesses to provide clear acknowledgments of terms, cancellation policies, and post-trial pricing, allowing consumers to retain this information. The bill also mandates that if an offer is accepted online, consumers must be able to cancel it exclusively online. Additionally, businesses must provide notice of any material changes to the offer and are prohibited from misrepresenting its terms. Violations of these provisions would be considered unfair or deceptive acts under existing law.

Maddy summarySB 19 proposes amendments to The Minimum Wage Act of 1968, directly affecting employees and employers across the state. The bill seeks to increase the minimum wage to $15 per hour starting January 1, 2026, with subsequent annual adjustments tied to the cost of living. It also revises rules for tipped employees, requiring their cash wage to be at least 70% of the minimum wage and clarifying that all gratuities are the property of the employee. Employers would be prohibited from deducting credit card processing fees from employee tips and must pay them by the next regular payday.