Sen. Jay Costa

Maddy summarySenate Bill 679 proposes to establish a minimum hourly wage or a living wage for education support professionals in Pennsylvania's public schools, such as aides, custodians, and cafeteria staff. Starting in the 2025-2026 school year, these employees would be paid at least $20 per hour or a living wage, whichever is greater, with overtime at one and a half times that rate. The Department of Labor and Industry would be responsible for determining and annually adjusting the living wage for each school entity. Public school entities would receive supplemental reimbursements from the Department of Education to help cover these increased wage costs, including payments for existing contracts that fall below the new minimum.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 663 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to establish education on deaf and hard of hearing topics for public school students. By the 2025-2026 school year, the Department of Education, in consultation with health experts, must develop and post a model curriculum and guidelines. This curriculum will cover topics such as types and causes of hearing loss, prevention, assistive devices, and related stigmas. School entities can use this model curriculum or create their own, ensuring it aligns with the state's guidelines and academic standards.

Maddy summarySB 21 amends Pennsylvania's Liquor Code, primarily by updating definitions for "eating place," "hotel," and "restaurant" to specify requirements for "substantial food offerings" and minimum seating capacities for venues holding liquor licenses. It also allows the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board to contract with more hearing examiners for license-related proceedings. The bill introduces provisions for failing to maintain licensure requirements and strengthens the review of State tax status for license applicants. These changes affect businesses that manufacture, sell, or serve alcoholic beverages in the state, as well as the administrative processes of the Liquor Control Board. It also updates appeals processes for various license decisions and imposes penalties.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 91 designates May 2025 as "Lyme Disease and Tick-Borne Illness Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania. This resolution aims to increase public awareness among Pennsylvania residents about the prevention, causes, effects, and treatment options for Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 662 amends Pennsylvania's cruelty to animals laws to establish concurrent jurisdiction for prosecuting felony offenses. This bill grants the Pennsylvania Attorney General the authority to investigate and institute criminal proceedings for felony animal cruelty cases. The Attorney General can prosecute these cases if they make a written request and the local district attorney either accepts it, or fails to respond within specific timeframes after an initial and subsequent written request.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 88 recognizes the week of April 20 through 26, 2025, as "National Infertility Awareness Week" in Pennsylvania. This resolution aims to raise awareness about infertility, which affects many couples, and support efforts to remove barriers to care and reduce stigma.

Maddy summarySB 678 amends Pennsylvania's Wage Payment and Collection Law to establish specific liability for general contractors in the construction industry. It makes general contractors jointly responsible for violations of wage payment laws committed by subcontractors providing construction services. The bill also requires subcontractors to repay general contractors for these liabilities, including wages and fees, unless otherwise specified in their contract or if the general contractor caused the violation by not paying promptly. These changes apply to construction contracts entered into on or after the bill's effective date.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 93 designates May 2025 as "Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania. This resolution aims to promote awareness among all road users about safely sharing the road with motorcyclists and to encourage motorcycle safety practices.

Maddy summarySB 673 establishes a public tracking system for housing in Pennsylvania that receives government financial assistance. It requires the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) to create and maintain a publicly accessible, searchable online database. This database will include property addresses, anticipated termination dates for affordability restrictions, and information on potential extensions. PHFA must also submit annual reports to the Governor and General Assembly detailing properties with expiring affordability restrictions.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 676 amends the Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law to regulate automatic renewal and continuous service offers made by businesses to consumers. It requires businesses to provide clear acknowledgments of terms, cancellation policies, and post-trial pricing, allowing consumers to retain this information. The bill also mandates that if an offer is accepted online, consumers must be able to cancel it exclusively online. Additionally, businesses must provide notice of any material changes to the offer and are prohibited from misrepresenting its terms. Violations of these provisions would be considered unfair or deceptive acts under existing law.