Sen. Jay Costa

Maddy summarySB 956 creates a new first-degree felony offense called "child torture" in Pennsylvania law for individuals who intentionally commit two or more specific abusive acts against a child under 18. The law defines child torture as causing serious injury, mental anguish in an especially depraved way, unreasonable confinement, forced positioning, or intentional failure to provide care. Conviction does not require expert testimony on mental anguish or proof of pain, though financial inability may be a defense for the care provision. This bill directly affects perpetrators of severe, repeated child abuse by establishing a distinct, serious criminal charge.

Maddy summarySB 940 requires all Commonwealth buildings (state-owned or leased government offices) to provide private lactation rooms for individuals expressing breastmilk or nursing. These rooms must be at least 80 square feet, fully private with locking doors, and include a chair, table, electrical outlet, and ADA-compliant accessibility. The bill directly affects state employees and visitors who need to express breastmilk while at work, aligning with federal workplace accommodations under the Affordable Care Act. It mandates specific design standards to ensure privacy and functionality, without requiring additional amenities beyond the core specifications.

Maddy summarySB 941 requires all Pennsylvania courthouses to provide private, accessible lactation rooms for nursing parents. These rooms must be at least 80 square feet, include a chair, electrical outlet, and privacy features (like locking doors), and comply with ADA accessibility standards. The bill directly affects nursing parents using courthouses for court-related matters, ensuring they have a hygienic space to express breast milk or nurse their child. Courthouses must post public signage indicating room locations, and rooms cannot be repurposed restrooms or storage areas. The law takes effect six months after enactment.

Maddy summarySB 928 creates the Pennsylvania Film Producer Grant Program to provide financial support to eligible film producers. It directly affects film producers who maintain their principal business in Pennsylvania and film projects entirely within the state, excluding news, sports, political content, or productions for private/institutional use. The program establishes a restricted account in the state General Fund for grants covering site preparation, crew costs, and other qualifying production expenses. Administered by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, grants require producers to meet specific location and project criteria outlined in the bill.

Maddy summarySB 959 requires Pennsylvania insurance companies to use a standardized health insurance claim form developed by the Department of Insurance within 180 days. This uniform form must be used by all insurers, the state's public health programs, and healthcare providers within 120 days of its creation, though dental and vision claims may use the form at the insurer's discretion. The bill also mandates that insurers allow direct payment to dental providers when a patient authorizes it (a provision set to expire after 10 years) and requires a study on the impact of this payment rule. The Legislative Budget Committee must report on network participation changes within 36 months of the bill's effective date.

Maddy summarySB 949 creates two main provisions: (1) it excludes sales tax on Pennsylvania-made steel products sold within the state, defined as steel processed in Pennsylvania using PA-sourced materials (requiring 75% of material costs to be PA-origin); and (2) it establishes a new tax credit for steel manufacturers. The credit provides up to 3% of capital investments in facility improvements (with an additional 3% for low-carbon or recycled steel technology), requiring at least $50 million in investments, creation of 100+ new jobs, and $20 million total annual funding. This directly affects steel manufacturers in Pennsylvania that meet the investment, job creation, and facility upgrade criteria. The bill aims to incentivize steel production and modernization within the state through tax incentives.

Maddy summarySB 938 requires Pennsylvania counties to collect and submit specific information about child-care facilities to the municipalities where those facilities are located. Starting December 2026, counties must provide each facility's address, phone number, floor plan, and emergency plan annually. This applies directly to all Pennsylvania municipalities and counties, creating a standardized record-keeping process for child-care locations. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment, focusing solely on administrative data collection without altering facility standards or funding.

Maddy summarySB 958 expands eligibility for wine and spirits auction permits under Pennsylvania's Liquor Code, allowing specific qualified nonprofits to host fundraising events. The bill permits hospitals, museums, cancer research organizations, educational institutions, and other designated nonprofits to apply for a permit costing $30 per day, valid for up to four days annually. These permits enable eligible groups to auction wine and spirits without requiring a full liquor license, supporting their fundraising efforts. The bill amends existing liquor regulations to create this new, limited-use authorization for charitable purposes.

Maddy summarySB 950 requires pet cremation providers in Pennsylvania to clearly explain service options to pet owners and intermediaries (like veterinarians or pet shops). It mandates written disclosures detailing three cremation types: private (single pet, ashes returned), individual-partitioned (multiple pets separated, ashes returned), and communal (multiple pets, no ashes returned). Providers must also certify returned ashes and maintain records for five years. The law directly affects pet owners, cremation providers, and businesses handling pet remains, aiming to prevent confusion and ensure transparency in pet cremation services.

Maddy summarySB 951 modifies Pennsylvania's community college funding formula to prioritize enrollment in first responder training programs. It adds a new allocation method that counts students in credit first responder programs at 1.5 times their enrollment and noncredit programs at full value, distributing additional funds based on weighted enrollment across all colleges. This directly affects community colleges offering these programs and their students, as funding levels will depend on how many enroll in first responder training (both credit and noncredit courses). The bill changes how existing state funds are distributed rather than creating new funding, with the new formula applying starting in the 2025-2026 fiscal year.