Sen. Jay Costa

Maddy summarySB 319 requires Pennsylvania law enforcement officers to knock and announce their presence before forcibly entering a home during warrant execution and wait at least 15 seconds for occupants to respond. Officers must wear body cameras recording searches for five minutes before and after execution, and be clearly identifiable in uniform. The bill mandates new training on warrant procedures, establishes escalating sanctions (including certification suspension for repeated violations), and allows individuals harmed by intentional non-compliance to sue for damages. These requirements apply to all officers executing warrants under Pennsylvania law.

Maddy summarySB 348 requires firearm owners or lawful possessors in Pennsylvania to report a lost or stolen firearm to local police within 24 hours, providing specific details like the serial number, model, and caliber. Police must then forward this information to the Pennsylvania State Police, who will share it with all law enforcement agencies to aid in locating the firearm. Violating this reporting requirement is a minor offense punishable by a fine of up to $500. The bill directly affects individuals who own or legally possess firearms, creating a new administrative duty to report losses or thefts.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 24) urges the U.S. Congress to pass two specific laws: a food labeling modernization act and an allergen disclosure law for medications. It seeks to require clearer front-of-package labels on food showing gluten sources (including barley, oats, and rye, not just wheat) and to mandate that medication labels identify ingredients derived from major food allergens like gluten. The resolution directly addresses people with celiac disease or gluten intolerance - impacting an estimated 7% of the U.S. population - who face serious health risks from unlabeled gluten exposure. Current federal labeling only requires wheat identification, leaving other gluten sources unmarked and putting sensitive consumers at risk. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new law but calls on Congress to act.

Maddy summarySB 301 requires Pennsylvania pharmacies to disclose specific pricing information to consumers upon request for prescription medications. This includes the current retail price for brand-name and generic drugs, the consumer's cost-sharing amount under their insurance, and details about subsidized health coverage through Pennsylvania's health insurance exchange. Pharmacies must keep records of this information, post clear notices about the disclosure right, and present details in simple terms. Failure to comply results in a $500 fine per violation. The law applies to all retail pharmacies and directly affects consumers making prescription purchasing decisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all Pennsylvania municipal law enforcement agencies to create and implement written policies governing the use of force and deadly force by officers. The policies must include specific decision-making criteria for when force can be used (such as threats to safety or possession of weapons), prohibit choke holds except when deadly force is authorized, and mandate public posting online and physical availability upon request. The Municipal Police Officers' Education and Training Commission must certify each agency's policy biennially and provide non-compliance lists to the Pennsylvania State Police. This law directly affects municipal law enforcement agencies and their officers by standardizing force guidelines and increasing transparency around use-of-force incidents.

Maddy summarySB 257 requires hotels, motels, inns, and similar lodging establishments that use fossil-fuel heaters, fireplaces, or have attached garages to install and maintain operational carbon monoxide alarms near those hazards in all affected units. Owners must ensure alarms are centrally located, approved per existing standards, and properly maintained, including battery replacement. Failure to comply is a summary offense punishable by a fine of up to $50. The law applies immediately to all qualifying lodging establishments, excluding college dorms but covering most short-term rental properties.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Pennsylvania colleges and universities to install approved carbon monoxide alarms in student dormitories that use fossil fuel heaters (like gas or wood) or have attached garages. Specifically, alarms must be placed near heating sources and in every housing unit on the same floor, meeting national safety standards (ANSI/UL2034 or similar). Dormitory operators must maintain these alarms and replace batteries, with willful failure to comply punishable by a $50 fine. The law applies to all institutions of higher education in Pennsylvania, including public universities, community colleges, and private schools.

Maddy summarySB 271 requires Pennsylvania health insurers to cover bariatric surgery and FDA-approved anti-obesity drugs for individuals aged 18 or older. It mandates coverage for treatments meeting standards set by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery or American College of Surgeons, including pre- and post-operative care like nutritional counseling. The law applies to all health insurance policies issued or renewed in Pennsylvania, requiring coverage "to the same extent as for other medically necessary procedures." It specifically abrogates a conflicting regulation (55 Pa. Code § 1121.54(1)) and takes effect 60 days after enactment. This directly affects insurers and Pennsylvania residents seeking obesity-related medical treatments.

Maddy summarySB 274 creates two key programs in Pennsylvania law. First, it requires courts to offer non-prison sentencing options for individuals convicted of nonviolent offenses who are primary caretakers of dependent children (including pregnant women or new mothers), mandating community-based rehabilitation programs like parenting classes, job training, or mental health services instead of incarceration. Second, it establishes a Maternity Medical Services Program within correctional facilities, providing pregnancy and postpartum care for eligible incarcerated women at a reduced fee (with no denial of care due to inability to pay). The bill directly affects incarcerated parents, particularly mothers, by prioritizing family unity and maternal health. It amends sentencing procedures and medical services statutes to implement these changes.

Maddy summarySB 263 updates Pennsylvania's Clean Indoor Air Act by explicitly including electronic cigarettes in the definition of "smoking." It modifies restrictions for licensed gaming facilities, allowing them to increase smoking areas on gaming floors (up to a 50% maximum) if revenue per slot machine in smoking areas equals or exceeds that in non-smoking areas. Facilities must request quarterly revenue reports from the Department of Revenue to justify such increases and ensure compliance. This directly affects casinos and gaming venues operating under Pennsylvania's licensing rules.