Sen. Wayne Fontana

Maddy summarySB 11 amends Pennsylvania's Election Code to strengthen transparency in campaign financing. It clarifies definitions for key terms like "expenditure," "independent expenditure," and "corporate political accountability," requiring candidates, committees, and businesses to disclose political spending more clearly. The bill mandates biennial adjustments to contribution limits and adds new reporting rules for corporate political activity, including independent expenditures. These changes directly affect candidates, political committees, and corporations making election-related contributions or spending in Pennsylvania. The law aims to increase transparency around campaign funding to address concerns about corruption.

Maddy summarySB 981 amends Pennsylvania's licensing law for social work and therapy professions to specifically regulate "Licensed Recreational Therapists." It defines recreational therapy practice (including 15 methods like assessment, treatment planning, and community integration) and requires a license for anyone using the title "Licensed Recreational Therapist." Unlike other licensed professions under this law, recreational therapists must hold a license for employment by the state, local governments, or nonprofit agencies. The bill also updates the State Board composition to include one licensed recreational therapist member.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 138) is a non-binding statement by the Pennsylvania Senate recognizing September 2025 as "Suicide Prevention Month" within the state. It does not create new laws, programs, or funding; it solely serves to symbolically acknowledge the issue and align with the national observance. The resolution highlights suicide statistics and the National Alliance on Mental Illness theme for awareness, but the designation itself has no direct policy impact on individuals or services. It affects the state government's official recognition of the month, not Pennsylvanians' access to mental health resources.

Maddy summarySB 970 bans the use of oil and gas wells for injecting fluids produced during extraction (like wastewater) for disposal or storage. It prohibits the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection from issuing permits for such wells and directly affects oil and gas operators seeking to use this disposal method. The bill also allows residents living or owning property within five miles of a violating well, or businesses operating within that radius, to sue in local court for violations. Courts can award damages, attorney fees, and court orders to stop the violations. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

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 967 requires most health insurance policies in Pennsylvania to cover diagnostic testing for dyslexia under specific conditions, such as family history, school literacy screening failures, or a pediatrician's recommendation. It mandates coverage for comprehensive neuropsychological exams and related wellness plans, but caps annual benefits at $6,000 (adjusted for inflation), and excludes policies like accident-only, dental, or vision insurance. The law applies to individual and group health plans governed by Pennsylvania insurance regulations, directly affecting insurers and individuals meeting the eligibility criteria. It does not cover treatment, only diagnosis and screening as defined in the bill.

Maddy summarySB 919 expands Pennsylvania's aggravated assault law to specifically protect United States postal workers and delivery drivers. The bill adds "a United States postal worker or delivery driver" to the list of protected individuals under Section 2702(c), making attacks against them a more serious offense. It also defines "delivery driver" as someone employed for package deliveries using standard-licensed vehicles, regardless of their employer. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summarySB 963 establishes rules for how Pennsylvania municipalities provide or reimburse common interest communities (like condominiums, cooperatives, and planned communities) for municipal services. It requires municipalities to either provide the same services to these communities as they do to regular homes (e.g., waste collection, snow removal, street lighting, and emergency services) or reimburse the communities for their actual costs. Communities and municipalities must negotiate a written agreement, and if they cannot agree, they must use compulsory arbitration to resolve disputes. This bill directly affects homeowners in common interest communities and the municipalities that provide services to them across Pennsylvania.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's sentencing guidelines to increase penalties for specific offenses committed during riots. It requires the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing to create enhanced penalties for crimes like simple assault, aggravated assault, burglary, and criminal trespass when these occur while violating riot laws (18 Pa.C.S. § 5501). The key mechanism is adding a sentencing enhancement factor for such circumstances, modifying the standard penalty ranges for these offenses. The bill directly affects individuals convicted of these specific crimes during riot-related incidents.

Maddy summarySB 916 modifies Pennsylvania's burglary laws and juvenile definitions. It elevates burglary involving intent to steal a firearm or ammunition to a first-degree felony (the most serious category) and adds sentencing enhancements when domestic animals are harmed during burglary or stolen firearms are used in subsequent crimes. For juveniles, it revises the definition of "child" to extend court jurisdiction beyond age 18 for those pursuing education, employment, or training, and updates "delinquent act" to exclude certain serious crimes committed by 15+ year olds involving deadly weapons. The bill directly affects burglary defendants (especially firearm-related cases), courts (with new sentencing options), and juveniles aged 15-21 facing specific charges.