Sen. Art Haywood

Maddy summarySB 209 requires individuals applying for or renewing a concealed carry license in Pennsylvania to obtain and provide proof of firearm liability insurance covering at least $1 million in damages for injury or property damage related to firearm use. The bill mandates that license holders carry an insurance identification certificate alongside their license and display it to law enforcement upon request; failure to do so results in firearm confiscation, license revocation, and a $50 reissuance fee. This directly affects all Pennsylvania residents seeking concealed carry permits, as insurance proof becomes a prerequisite for license issuance and retention. The law also specifies insurance must exclude coverage for unlawful acts and requires notification of policy cancellations to authorities. The bill was referred to the Judiciary Committee on January 29, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 208 increases the waiting period for most firearm transfers between non-licensed individuals from 48 to 72 hours, with exceptions for transfers between spouses, parents and children, or grandparents and grandchildren. It also requires background check records for these sales to be destroyed by the Pennsylvania State Police within 72 hours of the check. This law applies only to specific firearms, including short-barreled pistols (under 15 inches barrel), shotguns (under 18 inches barrel), rifles (under 16 inches barrel), and compact firearms (under 26 inches overall length).

Maddy summarySB 136 replaces Pennsylvania's current process for temporarily transferring terminally ill inmates to hospitals or hospices with two new parole options. It eliminates the existing requirement for courts to approve transfers based on "clear and convincing proof" of terminal illness, risk factors, and facility agreements. Instead, the bill creates parole eligibility for inmates due to age or chronic illness, and establishes medical parole during public health emergencies like disease outbreaks. This change directly affects incarcerated individuals facing serious health conditions or age-related frailty, streamlining their release without requiring court petitions.

Maddy summarySB 53 requires health insurance policies in Pennsylvania to cover children up to age 26, extending the previous limit of 19. It prohibits insurers from denying or restricting coverage based on factors like marital status, education, employment, or residency. The law applies to standard health insurance policies (excluding dental, disability, hospital indemnity, and similar plans) and mandates continued coverage for adult children meeting specific criteria, such as not being married or having dependents. This directly affects policyholders and their children aged 19-26 who would otherwise lose coverage.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 13 designates January 27, 2025, as "International Holocaust Remembrance Day" in Pennsylvania. The resolution commemorates the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau on January 27, 1945, and aligns with the United Nations' annual observance of this day. It formally recognizes the Holocaust's historical significance and the importance of remembering its victims. As a symbolic resolution, it does not create new laws or policies but serves as a ceremonial declaration by the Pennsylvania Senate.

Maddy summarySB 178 amends Pennsylvania's investment divestment law to require state retirement funds (like the State Employees' Retirement System) to identify and potentially divest from companies that manufacture assault weapons. It defines "assault weapons" broadly (including certain rifles, pistols, and shotguns) and mandates that funds notify these manufacturers within 180 days if they continue such production, giving them time to commit to stopping. If manufacturers don't cease production, funds must sell all related investments within 26 months. The bill directly affects state pension fund portfolios and aims to align investment policies with firearm safety concerns.

Maddy summarySB 177 amends Pennsylvania's Whistleblower Law by updating the definition of "public body" to explicitly include state courts (like the Supreme Court), the General Assembly, and judicial agencies. This clarifies which government entities are covered under the law, ensuring employees reporting violations can seek protection when working with these specific bodies. The change directly affects state and local government employees who report suspected legal violations, making the scope of protected entities more precise. It is a procedural update to definitions, not a new protection or penalty.

Maddy summarySB 182 amends Pennsylvania law to address false reports made to police based solely on a person's race or ethnicity. It specifies that if someone falsely reports a crime to law enforcement without actual suspicion of a crime - only because of the alleged perpetrator's race or ethnicity - the offense becomes a first-degree misdemeanor. This change grades such reports more severely than other false reports, distinguishing them based on the discriminatory motive. The bill directly affects individuals who make intentionally false police reports motivated by racial or ethnic bias. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summarySB 179 amends Pennsylvania's Prevailing Wage Act to strengthen penalties for contractors who intentionally underpay workers on public projects. It establishes tiered debarment periods: 3 years for unpaid wages under $1 million, 5 years for $1-10 million, and 10 years for over $10 million. This directly affects contractors who violate prevailing wage laws, barring them from winning future public contracts during these periods. The bill also authorizes the Secretary of Labor to request the Attorney General to recover penalties for the state. These changes aim to enforce compliance with prevailing wage requirements on public construction projects.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 8) urges the Governor to create a comprehensive plan to improve public school funding and education quality in the Commonwealth. It specifically calls for establishing an advisory commission composed of parents, teachers, school administrators, business leaders, higher education representatives, and legislators. The commission would study key issues like equitable funding sources, necessary educational programs and teacher-student ratios, the Department of Education's role in financially struggling districts, and potential changes to school code. The resolution does not create new laws but requests the Governor take these steps to address current budget challenges affecting public schools.