Sen. Jay Costa

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates April 2026 as "Fair Housing Month" and April 30, 2026, as "Affordable Homeownership Day" in Pennsylvania to honor the legacy of the Fair Housing Act and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The bill directly affects the state's residents, financial institutions, community organizations, and local governments by encouraging them to promote equitable lending and remove barriers to homeownership. It formally commends the National Association of Real Estate Brokers for its work in expanding housing access for Black families and underserved communities. The measure serves as a symbolic gesture to raise awareness about housing disparities rather than implementing new laws or funding programs.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 277 designates April 2026 as Sikh Awareness and Appreciation Month in Pennsylvania to highlight the Sikh faith and community contributions. The resolution aims to increase public understanding of Sikhism and address discrimination against Sikhs, particularly in schools. By aligning the designation with the month of Vaisakhi, a major Sikh holiday, the bill seeks to foster greater cultural awareness and tolerance within the state.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania Senate Resolution officially designates the week of April 19 through 25, 2026, as National Infertility Awareness Week within the state. The measure serves as a symbolic recognition to highlight infertility issues and encourage empathy and understanding among the public. It does not create new laws or require specific actions from government agencies or individuals.

Maddy summarySB 1274 amends Pennsylvania's Controlled Substance Act to update legal definitions regarding hemp and hemp-derived products. The bill clarifies what constitutes "hemp" by setting a THC concentration limit of 0.3% and distinguishes between final consumer products and intermediate manufacturing materials. It also provides specific definitions for terms like "final hemp-derived cannabinoid product" and "industrial hemp" to ensure clarity in regulations. These changes aim to align state law with federal standards while maintaining exemptions for existing medical marijuana programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act to increase the maximum civil penalties that can be imposed on individuals or entities found guilty of discrimination. Specifically, it raises the fine limits for first-time offenders to $26,262, for those with one prior violation to $65,653, and for those with multiple prior violations to $131,308. The legislation also updates the statute of limitations for filing discrimination complaints, extending the deadline from 180 days to 365 days. Additionally, it requires the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission to annually adjust these penalty amounts based on changes in the Consumer Price Index to account for inflation.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution formally recognizes May 2026 as "National Mammography Month" in Pennsylvania. The bill does not change laws or allocate funding; it serves as a symbolic gesture to raise awareness about breast cancer screening. The text highlights statistics on mammogram access and the importance of early detection, then encourages Pennsylvania residents, especially those in high-risk groups, to schedule appointments for screening.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution designates the week of April 12 through 18, 2026, as "National Public Safety Telecommunications Week" in Pennsylvania. The measure directly affects the state's emergency dispatchers and telecommunicators by formally acknowledging their critical role in handling 911 calls and supporting first responders. It does not create new laws or funding but serves to honor the dedication of these workers who provide round-the-clock emergency services. The text highlights the challenging nature of their jobs while expressing gratitude for their life-saving contributions.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 270 formally designates April 2026 as Alcohol Awareness Month within the state of Pennsylvania. This symbolic measure aims to highlight the risks of alcohol misuse among adults and teenagers while encouraging the public to seek help for alcohol use disorder. The resolution does not create new laws or regulations but serves to inform Pennsylvanians about the dangers of excessive drinking and the importance of addiction treatment providers.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951 to require landlords to explicitly disclose parking availability and any associated fees in written leases. It prevents landlords from increasing parking fees during the lease term and allows tenants to file complaints in lower courts if these disclosure requirements are not met. If a court finds a landlord violated these rules, the landlord must pay the tenant's parking costs for the lease duration. The changes apply to all residential leases in the state and take effect 60 days after the bill is enacted.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows boroughs and cities in Pennsylvania to use public funds to cover the training costs for newly elected officers before their terms begin. By amending state statutes for both incorporated towns and cities, the legislation authorizes municipalities to pay for educational programs designed to prepare these officials for their new roles. The measure does not mandate that any specific training be offered or require all municipalities to participate, leaving the decision to pay for such programs entirely up to local governments. It also sets the law into effect 60 days after it is signed, giving communities time to adjust their budgeting processes accordingly.