Sen. Art Haywood

Maddy summaryThis is a commemorative resolution (SR 36), not a law with policy changes. It formally recognizes March 2025 as "National Social Work Month" in Pennsylvania. The resolution honors social workers for their roles in crisis response, mental health care, supporting students during the pandemic, and advocating for policies like minimum wage and social safety nets. It does not create new laws, allocate funding, or directly affect specific groups - it simply urges Pennsylvanians to join in celebrating the profession.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates October 1, 2025, as "Pennsylvania Latino and Latina Physician Day" to recognize the underrepresentation of Latino and Latina physicians in Pennsylvania (only 4% as of 2021) and highlight their importance in improving healthcare access and outcomes for the state's growing Latino population. It does not create new laws or policies but formally acknowledges the value of physician diversity through a symbolic observance. The resolution aims to raise awareness about healthcare disparities faced by Latino communities and the benefits of culturally aligned medical care, building on a national observance established in 2022.

Maddy summaryThis is a symbolic resolution (not a law) that formally recognizes March 8, 2025, as "International Women's Day" in Pennsylvania. It does not create new policies, allocate funds, or directly affect any individuals or groups. The resolution expresses the Senate's support for the global observance of International Women's Day, highlighting women's achievements and the ongoing pursuit of gender equality. It serves as a ceremonial acknowledgment with no concrete policy changes or legal impact.

Maddy summarySB 388 proposes amending Pennsylvania's Constitution to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on sex, race, ethnicity, color, religious creed, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, familial status, or disability. This would expand existing constitutional protections under Article I, Section 28 to cover these additional categories, ensuring equality of rights under the law for all Pennsylvanians. The bill requires the General Assembly to pass it twice before submitting the amendment to voters at the next qualifying election. As of March 6, 2025, the bill has only been referred to the State Government committee and remains in early legislative stages.

Maddy summarySB 389 amends Pennsylvania's Credit Services Act to prohibit credit services organizations from discriminating against applicants based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression. Specifically, it bans denying credit, increasing fees, restricting credit amounts, or imposing different terms based on these characteristics. The bill allows organizations to still consider credit history and apply community property laws as permitted under existing rules. This change directly affects credit service providers and their customers in Pennsylvania, ensuring equal access to credit services.

Maddy summarySR 31 is a ceremonial resolution designating January 22-26, 2025, as "Gun Violence Survivors Week" in Pennsylvania. It symbolically recognizes individuals impacted by gun violence - including those wounded, threatened, or witnessing such incidents - and acknowledges the trauma and unmet needs they face, such as mental health support and financial assistance. The resolution does not create new laws or allocate funding but expresses state support for survivors and highlights the work of organizations like the EMIR Healing Center and Moms Demand Action. It is purely symbolic, aiming to raise awareness and show empathy for survivors across the Commonwealth.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 29) formally recognizes January 2025 as "National Blood Donor Month" in Pennsylvania, aligning with a nationwide observance. It does not create new laws or obligations; it is a symbolic gesture by the Pennsylvania Senate to raise awareness about blood donation needs. The resolution highlights that January is a critical time for blood banks due to seasonal factors like holidays and weather, which increase demand while reducing donations. It directly affects no individuals or entities, serving only as a statement of support for blood donation efforts.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 32) symbolically recognizes March 2025 as "National Athletic Training Month" in Pennsylvania. It honors athletic trainers' roles in health care, including injury prevention, emergency care, and rehabilitation, as highlighted by the Pennsylvania Athletic Trainers' Society and the National Athletic Trainers' Association. The resolution specifically acknowledges Pennsylvania's leadership in athletic training education and the profession's 3,000+ practitioners in the state. As a ceremonial resolution, it has no policy impact - no new requirements, funding, or legal changes are created.

Maddy summarySB 371, the Medical Debt Collection Protection Act, protects low-income patients from aggressive medical debt collection practices. It requires health care providers to screen patients for insurance and financial assistance *before* billing them for emergency or necessary care, and prohibits collectors from placing liens on primary homes or reporting debts to credit bureaus. The law also mandates a 30-day notice to patients before pursuing permissible actions like lawsuits or wage garnishment, including information about complaint procedures. It directly affects uninsured patients and those with household incomes under 300% of the federal poverty level (qualified patients), imposing new duties on the Attorney General and Department of Health for enforcement. The bill is currently pending in the Health & Human Services committee.

Maddy summarySB 387 modifies Pennsylvania sentencing for murder offenses. It sets a minimum 25-year prison term for adults convicted of second-degree murder, murder of an unborn child, or murder of a law enforcement officer. For minors under 18 convicted of these crimes, it establishes minimum terms: 20 years for those aged 15+ at the time of offense, and 15 years for those under 15. The bill also restricts parole eligibility, requiring the Board of Probation and Parole to wait at least 20 years for offenders aged 15+ and 15 years for younger minors before considering parole, prioritizing public safety and victim safety.