Sen. Rosemary Brown

Maddy summarySB 94 amends Pennsylvania's Taxpayer Relief Act to clarify how income is defined for senior citizens' property tax and rent rebate eligibility. It specifically allows seniors who were eligible for the rebate as of December 31, 2012, to retain their eligibility if their household income exceeds the limit solely due to a Social Security cost-of-living adjustment, but this exception expires on December 31, 2016. The bill updates the definition of "income" to include specific rules for counting Social Security benefits, excluding Medicare, and applies to tax years beginning after December 31, 2026. This directly affects low-income seniors in Pennsylvania who rely on these rebates.

Maddy summarySB 79 extends the time limit for prosecutors to file criminal charges for certain serious offenses in Pennsylvania from the standard timeframe to five years after the crime occurs. It directly affects prosecutors and defendants in cases involving specific major crimes, such as attempted murder, drug delivery resulting in death, aggravated assault, robbery, insurance fraud, and other listed offenses. The bill amends Pennsylvania's statute of limitations by adding these offenses to the "major offenses" category requiring prosecution within five years. This change applies to all offenses listed in the bill, including violent crimes, property crimes, and financial fraud, and takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (SR 9), not a substantive bill. It formally honors Virginia "Ginny" Thornburgh on her 85th birthday and recognizes her decades of advocacy work supporting people with disabilities. The resolution highlights her roles as a former Pennsylvania First Lady, her leadership with disability-focused organizations, her co-authorship of advocacy publications, and her personal connection to disability advocacy through her son. It has no policy impact or direct effect on residents or laws.

Maddy summaryThis resolution symbolically recognizes January 27, 2025, as "International Holocaust Remembrance Day" in Pennsylvania. It does not create new laws or affect specific groups; instead, it formally acknowledges the UN-established date honoring Holocaust victims and promoting education about the genocide. The resolution references the historical context of the Holocaust and the UN's 2005 designation of January 27 as a day to honor victims and combat hatred. It serves as a commemorative gesture by the Pennsylvania Senate.

Maddy summarySB 139 allows parents of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder to request a one-year waiver from Pennsylvania's compulsory school attendance requirements for the 2025-2026 school year. To qualify, the child must have a recent clinical diagnosis, a medical assessment recommending intensive early intervention, and proof the services will continue during the waiver. If approved, the child remains eligible for early intervention services under state law, and parents retain the right to enroll them in school anytime during the waiver period. The waiver does not provide compensatory education for the time the child is not in school.

Maddy summarySB 147 creates a program offering financial incentives to Pennsylvania truck owners and fleets purchasing near-zero emission trucks (diesel models from 2010 or later meeting EPA standards). It provides grants covering either the federal excise tax on new trucks or 6% of the used truck price (up to $5,000) to offset costs, but requires trading in a pre-2010 diesel truck that is titled and registered in Pennsylvania. The program, managed by the Department of Transportation, operates on a first-come, first-served basis with funds from a dedicated state incentive fund. Truck owners must register the new vehicle in Pennsylvania for at least two years to qualify for the grant.

Maddy summarySB 59 clarifies Pennsylvania's definition of "community college" to explicitly include programs like career training, college-parallel courses, and credit courses for high school students. It grants the State Board of Education authority to set mandatory standards for community college facilities, curriculum, faculty qualifications, student enrollment, and degree requirements. The bill also requires the State Board to prescribe all types of diplomas and certificates awarded by community colleges and permits them to offer nursing bachelor's degrees to students with associate's in nursing. This directly affects community colleges and their students across Pennsylvania.

Maddy summarySB 104 creates a two-year pilot program to add at least 50% more staff to Pennsylvania's Office of Inspector General (OIG) by January 31, 2025, specifically to investigate fraud, waste, and misconduct claims involving the Department of Human Services and Department of Health. The OIG must hire all new employees within six months of the bill's effective date and submit a detailed report one year later to legislative committees. The report will include investigation statistics (by new/prior staff and time periods), cost savings per employee, incomplete cases, and program expenses. This report will be made publicly available under Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law.

Maddy summarySB 81 authorizes Pennsylvania to join the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact, enabling licensed dentists and dental hygienists from Pennsylvania to practice in other participating states without obtaining separate licenses in each state. The compact establishes a "Compact Privilege" that eliminates redundant licensing requirements while maintaining each state's authority to regulate practice within its borders. It also facilitates sharing of disciplinary information between states and supports workforce mobility for healthcare professionals seeking to work across state lines. This primarily affects licensed dental professionals who wish to practice in multiple participating states.

Maddy summarySB 126 requires Pennsylvania universities that host or support antisemitic events to lose state funding for the 2025-2026 school year. If a university received funding before such an event, it must refund the state. The law defines antisemitism broadly to include acts like denying the Holocaust, comparing Israeli policy to Nazis, or spreading conspiracy theories about Jewish people, with the State Board of Education handling violations through 30-day hearings. This applies to all Pennsylvania universities receiving state funding under the Public School Code.