Sen. Jay Costa

Maddy summarySB 50, the Health Insurance Access Protection Act, prohibits Pennsylvania insurers from denying coverage, charging higher premiums, or excluding benefits based on pre-existing conditions or health factors for individuals and small groups (2-50 people). It limits premium variations to age (max 3:1 ratio), location, family size, and tobacco use (max 1.5:1 ratio), requiring insurers to pool all enrollees in the individual and small group markets. The law also mandates that insurers cannot use health status to set rates or deny coverage, directly protecting people with chronic illnesses or past medical issues.

Maddy summarySB 32 amends Pennsylvania's Vehicle Code to set a 10-year limit for collecting fines, penalties, costs, or fees related to traffic citations issued in first-class cities (like Philadelphia or Pittsburgh). It specifically applies to violations from automated red light enforcement systems (under Section 3116) and certain local authority citations (under Section 6109(g)). The bill requires all legal actions to collect these amounts must be filed within 10 years of the citation date. This directly affects residents who receive traffic violations in first-class cities, limiting how long governments can pursue payment for those specific citations.

Maddy summarySB 152 establishes Pennsylvania's Intergenerational Poverty Tracking System to monitor poverty trends across generations, requiring the Department of Human Services to collect data on factors like child poverty rates, economic instability, and access to healthcare. It creates an Interagency Workgroup and a Pennsylvania Commission on Poverty Elimination to develop a strategic plan and produce annual reports analyzing poverty drivers. The bill mandates the state to measure poverty using broader metrics beyond income - such as food insecurity, digital access, and regional cost-of-living differences - rather than solely relying on federal poverty thresholds. These entities and reports will directly affect state agencies, including the Department of Human Services and the Secretary of the Budget, by imposing duties to track and address poverty patterns.

Maddy summarySB 103 updates Pennsylvania's domestic violence protection order process to better involve noncustodial parents in custody decisions. It adds a definition clarifying "noncustodial parent" as a biological parent not living with or sharing custody of a minor child. Key provisions require courts to consider risks to children when awarding temporary custody or visitation, and allow courts to award custody to noncustodial parents if abuse is proven. The bill also mandates law enforcement to maintain a statewide registry of protection orders and ensures noncustodial parents receive notices about hearings, orders, and offender releases. These changes directly affect abuse victims, noncustodial parents, and courts handling domestic violence cases.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 11) designates January 23, 2025, as "Maternal Health Awareness Day" in Pennsylvania to honor women and birthing people who died from pregnancy or childbirth complications. It directly affects all Pennsylvanians by promoting public awareness of maternal health issues, particularly highlighting the disproportionate impact on Black birthing people (with a mortality rate of 163 deaths per 100,000 live births in PA). The resolution does not create new laws or funding but encourages community and healthcare engagement through designated activities to recognize the ongoing maternal mortality crisis. It builds on existing efforts like Pennsylvania’s Maternal Mortality Review Committee and the Black Maternal Health Caucus.

Maddy summarySB 66 amends Pennsylvania's ethics laws to clarify restrictions on cash gifts for public officials and employees. It defines "cash gift" broadly to include money, gift cards, prepaid cards, and virtual currency, while excluding certain common transactions like family gifts or public contests. The bill prohibits officials from accepting cash gifts from lobbyists or people seeking official action, with penalties of up to $1,000 for gifts under $250 (misdemeanor) or $10,000 plus potential imprisonment for $250+ gifts (felony). These changes directly affect Pennsylvania public officials and employees who may receive such gifts.

Maddy summaryThis bill raises the annual spending cap for Pennsylvania's entertainment production tax credits from $100 million to $125 million. It directly affects film and television producers who claim these tax credits by increasing the total amount the state can award each year. The key change is a new annual limit ($125 million) for credits under Section 1716-D, effective July 1, 2025. The bill does not create new credits or alter eligibility rules - only adjusts the spending ceiling. It applies to all entertainment production tax credits awarded in fiscal years beginning on or after July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (SR 9), not a substantive bill. It formally honors Virginia "Ginny" Thornburgh on her 85th birthday and recognizes her decades of advocacy work supporting people with disabilities. The resolution highlights her roles as a former Pennsylvania First Lady, her leadership with disability-focused organizations, her co-authorship of advocacy publications, and her personal connection to disability advocacy through her son. It has no policy impact or direct effect on residents or laws.

Maddy summaryThis resolution symbolically recognizes January 27, 2025, as "International Holocaust Remembrance Day" in Pennsylvania. It does not create new laws or affect specific groups; instead, it formally acknowledges the UN-established date honoring Holocaust victims and promoting education about the genocide. The resolution references the historical context of the Holocaust and the UN's 2005 designation of January 27 as a day to honor victims and combat hatred. It serves as a commemorative gesture by the Pennsylvania Senate.

Maddy summarySB 47 amends Pennsylvania law to increase liability for licensed firearm sellers who knowingly transfer weapons they believe will be used in crimes. It makes licensed dealers, importers, or manufacturers criminally liable if they sell firearms they have reason to believe will be used for criminal activity, and subjects them to civil lawsuits for injuries caused by those firearms. The bill overrides existing liability laws to hold sellers accountable for both criminal and civil consequences when sales violate firearm transfer rules. It directly affects licensed firearm businesses by expanding their legal exposure beyond standard criminal penalties. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.