Sen. Jay Costa

Maddy summarySB 751 gradually reduces Pennsylvania's inheritance tax rates for transfers to certain family members, including parents, grandparents, children, and spouses. It lowers the tax rate step-by-step over time, starting at 4.5% for deaths before July 1, 2026, and decreasing to 0% for deaths on or after July 1, 2035. This directly affects Pennsylvania residents inheriting property from immediate family members as defined in the tax code. The bill modifies Section 2116(a)(1) of the 1971 Tax Reform Code to establish these phased rate reductions.

Maddy summarySB 750 modifies Pennsylvania's inheritance tax rates for property transferred to siblings, gradually lowering the tax from 12% to 0% over time. The bill reduces the rate annually, starting at 12% for deaths before July 2026, decreasing to 11% in 2026-2027, and reaching 0% for deaths on or after July 2033. This directly affects individuals inheriting property from a sibling in Pennsylvania. The change is structured as a phased reduction in the tax rate over several years, with no tax applied after 2033.

Maddy summarySB 841 requires home health care agencies, home care registries, and their direct care workers (including those in Pennsylvania's Community Health Choices Program) to complete dementia-specific training. It mandates four hours of initial training and two hours of annual continued training covering Alzheimer's care, person-centered approaches, and dementia-related behaviors. Agencies must maintain documentation of this training in employee files and use department-approved curricula. The Department of Health will develop implementing regulations within one year, with the law taking effect 60 days after passage.

Maddy summaryPennsylvania's SB 612, the Menstrual Equity Act, requires specific public entities to provide free disposable menstrual products (like tampons and pads) in restrooms without stigma. It directly affects schools, colleges, correctional facilities, homeless shelters, government offices offering public services (e.g., unemployment assistance), and armories. The law mandates these locations make products available at no cost starting July 1, 2025, with state secretaries overseeing implementation. Key provisions focus on accessibility and eliminating cost barriers for people who menstruate in these settings.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates August 31, 2025, as "Overdose Awareness Day" in Pennsylvania. It requests the Governor to issue a proclamation encouraging public officials and residents to observe the day through appropriate activities, and to order flags flown at half-staff. The resolution aims to raise awareness about drug overdoses, reduce stigma around substance use, and acknowledge the impact of overdose deaths on families and communities. It does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic recognition of the overdose crisis.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates June 10, 2025, as "Delco Day" in Pennsylvania to honor Delaware County's community spirit and annual charitable event. It recognizes the "Delco Day" celebration, which unites residents to raise funds for local charities - specifically supporting the HEADstrong Foundation's "Nick's House," providing free housing for cancer patients and families seeking treatment in the Philadelphia area. The resolution is ceremonial and does not create new laws or funding.

Maddy summarySB 833, the Right-to-Repair Act, requires manufacturers (OEMs) of digital electronic equipment sold in Pennsylvania after July 1, 2022, to provide owners and independent repair shops with repair documentation, parts, and tools on fair and reasonable terms. This includes free access to manuals, diagrams, and tools (with minor fees only for physical copies), and parts at costs equivalent to those offered to authorized repair providers. The law excludes medical devices, motor vehicles, security systems, and video game consoles from its requirements. It directly affects consumers who repair their own devices and independent repair businesses, aiming to reduce manufacturer control over repair processes.

Maddy summarySB 834 adds a simple option on Pennsylvania driver's license and ID card applications for applicants to learn about joining the national bone marrow and blood cell donor registry. The state will include a link to the National Marrow Donor Program's website during the application process, allowing applicants to explore voluntary enrollment. This affects all Pennsylvanians applying for or renewing licenses, though signing up does not legally obligate them to donate if matched later. The bill requires a partnership between the state and the donor program to implement this information-sharing mechanism.

Maddy summarySB 307 establishes Pennsylvania's Purple Alert System to notify the public about missing persons with intellectual disabilities who are at risk of harm. The Pennsylvania State Police will operate the system, activating it when law enforcement determines a missing person has an intellectual disability (defined as significantly subaverage intellectual functioning with limitations in daily living skills like communication or self-care), is at risk due to health conditions, and sufficient location details are available. The bill also extends existing immunity protections to people assisting those identified in Purple Alert notifications, similar to the Amber Alert System. This policy directly affects individuals with intellectual disabilities who go missing and law enforcement agencies that can trigger the alerts.

Maddy summarySB 830 establishes Pennsylvania's Child-Care Workforce Commission within the Department of Human Services to collect and analyze data about the state's child-care workforce. The Commission will track workforce demographics (including education, pay, race, gender, and location), compile an annual public report, and maintain a dedicated website for transparency. This bill directly affects child-care centers, family child-care homes, group child-care homes, and their employees across Pennsylvania, requiring them to provide data for the Commission's analysis. The Commission's findings will inform recommendations to improve workforce conditions, with membership including providers, employees, educators, and parents representing diverse geographic and sector perspectives.