Sen. Wayne Fontana

Maddy summarySenate Bill 564 proposes to provide an additional monthly supplemental annuity to eligible retired public school employees and retired state government employees in Pennsylvania. For retired public school employees, these new payments would begin after July 1, 2025, while for retired state employees, they would commence after January 1, 2025. The amount of this supplement will be a percentage of their current monthly annuity, ranging from 15% to 24.5% based on their retirement date, with older retirees receiving a higher percentage. The bill specifies that eligible recipients must have retired before July 2, 2001, and not have certain service credits. The increased costs for these benefits will be funded by the Commonwealth over a ten-year period.

Maddy summarySR 97 is a resolution that formally recognizes the week of May 11 through 17, 2025, as "National Police Week" and designates May 5, 2025, as "Police Officers' Memorial Day" in Pennsylvania. This resolution honors the memory of police officers who have died in the line of duty within the Commonwealth.

Maddy summarySR 95 is a resolution that officially recognizes the month of May 2025 as "Older Americans Month" in Pennsylvania. This action acknowledges the contributions of older adults and encourages a positive view of aging within the Commonwealth.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 96 recognizes May 2025 as "Mental Health Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania. This resolution also states the Senate's intent to pursue policies that promote mental health for all residents, aiming for parity with physical health in resources, education, treatment, and insurance coverage.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 679 proposes to establish a minimum hourly wage or a living wage for education support professionals in Pennsylvania's public schools, such as aides, custodians, and cafeteria staff. Starting in the 2025-2026 school year, these employees would be paid at least $20 per hour or a living wage, whichever is greater, with overtime at one and a half times that rate. The Department of Labor and Industry would be responsible for determining and annually adjusting the living wage for each school entity. Public school entities would receive supplemental reimbursements from the Department of Education to help cover these increased wage costs, including payments for existing contracts that fall below the new minimum.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 663 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to establish education on deaf and hard of hearing topics for public school students. By the 2025-2026 school year, the Department of Education, in consultation with health experts, must develop and post a model curriculum and guidelines. This curriculum will cover topics such as types and causes of hearing loss, prevention, assistive devices, and related stigmas. School entities can use this model curriculum or create their own, ensuring it aligns with the state's guidelines and academic standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Crimes and Offenses code to establish new criminal offenses related to critical infrastructure facilities. It creates penalties for individuals who trespass without permission on these properties, with more severe consequences for those who intend to damage or disrupt operations. The legislation also makes willful damage or tampering with equipment at these facilities a felony. Additionally, it allows owners of critical infrastructure facilities to pursue civil lawsuits against individuals arrested or convicted of these offenses for damages incurred. "Critical infrastructure facilities" are broadly defined to include essential services such as power plants, water treatment facilities, and natural gas pipelines, provided they are secured or clearly marked.

Maddy summarySB 21 amends Pennsylvania's Liquor Code, primarily by updating definitions for "eating place," "hotel," and "restaurant" to specify requirements for "substantial food offerings" and minimum seating capacities for venues holding liquor licenses. It also allows the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board to contract with more hearing examiners for license-related proceedings. The bill introduces provisions for failing to maintain licensure requirements and strengthens the review of State tax status for license applicants. These changes affect businesses that manufacture, sell, or serve alcoholic beverages in the state, as well as the administrative processes of the Liquor Control Board. It also updates appeals processes for various license decisions and imposes penalties.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 662 amends Pennsylvania's cruelty to animals laws to establish concurrent jurisdiction for prosecuting felony offenses. This bill grants the Pennsylvania Attorney General the authority to investigate and institute criminal proceedings for felony animal cruelty cases. The Attorney General can prosecute these cases if they make a written request and the local district attorney either accepts it, or fails to respond within specific timeframes after an initial and subsequent written request.

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.