Sen. Jay Costa

Maddy summaryPennsylvania Senate Bill 1443 amends state criminal law to allow individuals to record conversations captured by electronic home security systems without needing prior court approval. This change directly affects homeowners and residents who use such devices, creating a specific exception to the general prohibition on intercepting communications. The bill restricts the sharing of these recordings, permitting dissemination only to law enforcement agencies for investigative purposes. Additionally, it requires that home security systems be configured with reasonable parameters to account for neighborhood density and shared structures, aiming to protect the privacy of neighbors who are not on the property owner's premises.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania Senate resolution formally designates September 2026 as "National Preparedness Month" within the state. It encourages residents to take proactive steps for disaster readiness, such as creating family evacuation plans, maintaining essential supplies, and reviewing insurance coverage. The measure also aims to recognize the contributions of emergency managers, first responders, and organizations dedicated to protecting lives and property during crises.

Maddy summaryPennsylvania Senate Bill 1430 amends state criminal law to allow owners, operators, and employees of health care facilities to use nonviolent means to deny entry to law enforcement officers on their premises. This protection applies unless the officer can demonstrate probable cause that a specific individual is present and physically possesses a judicial warrant clearly identifying that person as the subject of the order. The bill defines key terms such as "health care facility" and "judicial warrant," limiting the scope of this exception to written orders from federal or state courts. If enacted, the law would take effect 60 days after its passage.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania Senate Resolution designates September 28, 2026, as "Green Star Veterans and Families Day" to honor veterans who died by suicide in connection with their military service. The bill formally recognizes the Green Star Service Banner as a symbol of remembrance for these individuals. It aims to acknowledge the resilience of the families left behind and raise public awareness about the mental health challenges and suicide crisis affecting veterans.

Maddy summaryPennsylvania Senate Bill 1425 establishes a five-year pilot program in Philadelphia that requires law enforcement to directly notify all registered motor vehicle repair facilities when a hit-and-run accident results in serious injury or death. The bill mandates that commercial garages and shops register with the city to receive these alerts, which include specific details such as the vehicle's make, model, color, license plate number, and extent of damage. If a repair facility discovers a vehicle in its possession that matches the description in an alert, the owner or operator must report it to law enforcement within 72 hours. Failure to comply with this reporting requirement is punishable by a third-degree misdemeanor, and the city must submit annual reports to state agencies detailing the program's costs and activity.

Maddy summaryPennsylvania Senate Bill 1424 amends the state's Newborn Child Testing Act to officially add Gaucher disease to the list of conditions covered by the newborn screening and follow-up program. The bill directs the relevant health department, with approval from a technical advisory board, to include this specific genetic disorder in routine infant testing. This change aims to help healthcare providers identify the condition early so they can determine if treatment or other services are needed to prevent potential intellectual disability, physical disability, or death.

Maddy summaryPennsylvania Senate Bill 1426 designates the Interstate 81 and State Route 4007 interchange, known as Exit 119 in Schuylkill County, as the PSP Trooper Michael E. Pahira, Jr. Memorial Interchange. The bill honors Trooper Pahira, who died in July 2026 after being struck by a tractor-trailer while conducting a commercial vehicle safety inspection at that specific location. It directs the state Department of Transportation to erect and maintain signs displaying the new name at the interchange.

Maddy summarySB 331 authorizes Pennsylvania to join the Cosmetology Licensure Compact, a multi-state agreement allowing cosmetologists licensed in one participating state to practice in others without obtaining separate licenses. The bill directly affects licensed cosmetologists, particularly military members and their spouses who relocate, by reducing licensing barriers across participating states. Key provisions establish a "Multistate License" issued by a cosmetologist's home state (Pennsylvania), enabling practice in all compact states while maintaining safety standards through shared disciplinary information and background checks. The compact aims to improve workforce mobility, address staffing shortages, and ensure consistent public safety protections without creating new state-level regulations.

Maddy summarySB 992 updates Pennsylvania's 1996 Telemarketer Registration Act to strengthen rules for phone sales calls. It requires telemarketers to register and prohibits blocking caller ID features used to screen calls, while banning unwanted solicitation calls. The bill also clarifies penalties for violations and enhances enforcement mechanisms for consumer protection. These changes directly affect telemarketers operating in Pennsylvania and aim to reduce unwanted calls for residents.

Maddy summarySB 130 requires funeral homes and cemeteries to notify county veterans offices within 96 hours when a deceased military service member (with county residency at death) is buried or cremated. It specifically applies if a cemetery interment occurs for cremated remains without prior funeral services provided by a funeral home. The law directs these businesses to share contact details for county veterans offices with the deceased's family. This aims to streamline access to burial benefits for veterans' families by ensuring timely notification to local veterans' programs.