Sen. Jay Costa

Maddy summarySB 731 amends the existing Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract for the Elderly (PACE) program to add a new "Needs Enhancement Tier" for determining eligibility. This tier would allow more elderly residents to qualify for prescription drug assistance based on specific financial or health needs. The bill changes how eligibility is assessed under the program, making it easier for seniors with higher needs to access medication support. The bill recently passed final passage on November 12, 2025, and is now referred to Rules & Executive Nominations.

Maddy summarySB 315 amends Pennsylvania's 1949 education code to update school funding, safety, and instructional requirements. It establishes new school safety grants, updates teacher certification standards, and strengthens truancy prevention measures for all public and charter schools. The bill adds funding for career and technical education equipment, expands mental health support through school safety programs, and modifies higher education scholarship rules. As Act No. 47 of 2025, it became law on November 12, 2025, affecting students, teachers, school districts, and higher education institutions statewide.

Maddy summaryThe context provided does not include specific details about SB 1080's provisions, amendments, or intended effects. While the bill title references amendments to the Fiscal Code regarding the "Budget Stabilization Reserve Fund," no concrete policy changes, affected parties, or mechanisms are described in the given information. Without additional details on what the amendment alters or how it would operate, a substantive summary cannot be created. This appears to be a procedural fiscal code amendment, but the necessary specifics for a factual summary are missing from the context.

Maddy summarySR 188 is a resolution directing the Joint State Government Commission to study the costs and benefits of Pennsylvania's continued membership in the PJM Interconnection, a regional electricity grid operator. The resolution requires the Commission to analyze factors like electricity pricing, grid reliability, and economic impacts for Pennsylvania consumers and businesses. This study aims to provide data to inform potential future decisions about the state's energy infrastructure participation, without changing current laws or regulations.

Maddy summarySB 246 requires Pennsylvania public, nonpublic, and private schools to notify parents/guardians and staff within 24 hours about specific incidents, including weapon possession on school property (violating state law or school policies), repeated bullying, harassment, serious injury, or intentional property damage exceeding $1,000. It applies to all schools covered under the Public School Code, including charter and cyber charter schools. The law specifies notification methods must be effective, limits notifications to relevant school buildings or campuses when incidents occur there, and preserves existing requirements to report to law enforcement. This bill does not change school safety policies but mandates timely communication about certain safety incidents to affected families and staff.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates October 24, 2025, as "Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine Day" in Pennsylvania. It is a symbolic recognition by the state legislature, not a policy with legal effect, and does not create new requirements or impact any specific group. The resolution serves to honor the practice and profession of acupuncture and herbal medicine within the state.

Maddy summarySB 1083 increases the required distance between oil and gas wells and certain structures in Pennsylvania. It raises the minimum distance for unconventional gas wells from 500 feet to 2,500 feet from buildings and from 1,000 feet to 2,500 feet from water wells and water supply points. The bill also prohibits drilling within 5,000 feet of any school or hospital. Well operators seeking to drill closer must apply for a variance with a detailed safety plan and additional measures, and the law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates November 2025 as "Good Samaritan Law Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania. It aims to raise public awareness about Good Samaritan laws, which protect individuals who assist others in emergency situations. The resolution does not create new legal requirements or directly affect specific groups - it is a symbolic designation to promote understanding of existing protections. The bill was referred to the Rules & Executive Nominations committee on November 5, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 1082 designates January 11 as "Human Trafficking Awareness Day" in Pennsylvania each year. The bill requires the state government to annually recognize this day to promote public awareness about human trafficking. It does not create new programs, funding, or legal obligations; it solely establishes an official observance date. This designation directly affects Pennsylvania state agencies and public awareness efforts.

Maddy summaryThis resolution symbolically recognizes November 14, 2025, as "World Diabetes Day" in Pennsylvania. It does not create new laws or policies; it is a ceremonial designation for the state to acknowledge the global observance of World Diabetes Day. The resolution directly affects Pennsylvania's official calendar for that date, encouraging state entities to participate in related observances. It has no direct impact on individuals, healthcare, or funding.