Sen. Jay Costa

Maddy summarySB 707 amends the Tax Reform Code of 1971 regarding sales and use tax offenses. The bill clarifies advertising practices for businesses by stating that it is not a crime to include the sales tax amount in an advertised price. This is permitted provided the advertisement conspicuously states that the advertised price includes the sales tax. This change directly affects businesses and advertisers displaying prices for goods or services subject to sales tax.

Maddy summarySB 709, known as the Health Care Workplace Violence Prevention Act, mandates that all health facilities in Pennsylvania establish violence prevention committees. These committees, comprised of both management and non-managerial employees, are responsible for conducting risk assessments, developing written workplace violence prevention programs, and providing employee training. The bill also requires employees to report incidents of workplace violence and prohibits retaliation against those who report. The Department of Labor and Industry is granted powers and duties related to these requirements, and the bill imposes fines for non-compliance.

Maddy summaryThis resolution recognizes May 2025 as "Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania. It aims to raise awareness about asthma and allergies, conditions that affect millions of individuals, including many children and adults in the Commonwealth.

Maddy summarySR 104 is a resolution that recognizes May 2025 as "National Mammography Month" in Pennsylvania. It encourages residents, especially those in high-risk groups, to schedule mammography appointments to promote early detection of breast cancer.

Maddy summarySB 718 designates a specific portion of Pennsylvania Route 51 in Whitehall Borough, Allegheny County, as the "Hon. Raymond T. Book Memorial Highway." The bill directs the Department of Transportation to erect and maintain signs displaying this new name for traffic in both directions.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 100 designates the week of May 4 through 10, 2025, as "Jewish Day Schools Week" in Pennsylvania. This resolution aims to recognize and express appreciation for Jewish day schools across the Commonwealth.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 99 designates the week of May 6 through May 12, 2025, as "Nurses Week" in Pennsylvania. This resolution acknowledges the contributions of nurses to the Commonwealth's healthcare system.

Maddy summarySB 651 is a joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Pennsylvania Constitution to establish "Workers' rights." This amendment would grant employees the fundamental right to organize and collectively bargain through representatives of their choice regarding wages, hours, working conditions, and workplace safety. It specifies that no law can diminish these rights, including those that prohibit agreements requiring union membership as a condition of employment. If passed by the General Assembly twice, this proposed amendment would then be put before Pennsylvania voters for approval.

Maddy summarySR 98 is a resolution that designates the week of May 18 through 24, 2025, as "Emergency Medical Services Week" in Pennsylvania. This action aims to recognize the vital public service and lifesaving care provided by emergency medical services teams and providers across the state.

Maddy summarySB 717 amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code to adjust sales and use tax exclusions for consumers. The bill updates an existing sales tax exclusion for personal computers, tablets, and related devices with a sales price of up to $1,500 by setting an annual tax-free period from the first to the third Saturday in August. It also creates a new sales tax exclusion for various school supplies, art supplies, and instructional materials, provided each item costs $50 or less. These exclusions apply to individual purchasers for nonbusiness use during the specified August timeframe, effectively establishing an annual sales tax holiday for these items.