Sen. Jay Costa

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Pennsylvania's funding rules for sustainable transportation projects, specifically affecting local organizations that receive state financial assistance. It establishes a new deposit requirement into the fund, mandating that 6.15% of certain tax revenues be contributed monthly to support these programs. The legislation also adjusts how funding increases are calculated over time, capping annual growth at 20% for most years while allowing for higher increases starting in the 2024-2025 fiscal year. Additionally, it sets a minimum requirement for local matching funds, ensuring that communities contribute at least 15% of project costs, with a provision to pause these increases between 2024 and 2029.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's hunting laws to create a new permit for regulated hunting grounds, allowing landowners to manage wildlife on their property. Under the new rules, permit holders can remove birds killed on their land without traditional tagging, provided they attach a label with their contact information and details about the birds. The label must stay on the package or container until the birds are either returned to the landowner's address or prepared for eating. This change directly affects individuals who hold these specific permits and alters how they must document harvested game.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution formally recognizes October 2024 as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and October 18, 2024, as National Mammography Day within Pennsylvania. The bill aims to raise public awareness about breast cancer and encourages residents to discuss screening options with their doctors, specifically urging women over 40 to get annual mammograms. It highlights the importance of early detection to improve survival rates but does not create new laws or allocate funding. The measure serves as a symbolic gesture to promote health information rather than implementing concrete policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution designates October 2024 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month throughout Pennsylvania to highlight the prevalence and impact of domestic violence. The measure recognizes that the issue affects individuals from all backgrounds and notes specific barriers faced by marginalized groups, such as undocumented people, those with disabilities, and the LGBTQ community. While the bill does not create new laws or funding, it formally acknowledges the severity of the problem by citing statistics on victimization rates and the need for support services. Copies of the resolution are to be sent to two local domestic violence organizations, Laurel House and the Domestic Abuse Project, to promote awareness during the designated month.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Professional Nursing Law to create a new program allowing certified registered nurse practitioners to work independently in rural areas without needing a written agreement with a physician. To qualify, a nurse practitioner must hold a current license, have no recent disciplinary actions, and demonstrate at least three years of prior practice experience involving over 3,600 hours. Once approved, eligible practitioners can prescribe treatments and manage patient care solely based on their nursing expertise, provided they continue to meet biennial renewal requirements and complete specific continuing education on patient safety. The legislation also clarifies that these nurses must identify themselves clearly to patients and refer cases beyond their scope of practice, while removing legal liability for collaborating physicians when the nurse practices under this new program.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Museum Unclaimed Loaned Property Act in Pennsylvania to create clear rules for handling items lent to museums that are never claimed by their owners. It defines "unclaimed loaned property" as items where the lender has not contacted the museum for at least 20 years for indefinite loans or five years after a fixed loan period ends. The law requires museums to maintain detailed records of all loans and asks lenders to promptly update their contact information and ownership details. If a lender fails to claim the property within the specified time, the museum may terminate the loan and take steps to resolve the title, while also protecting museums from liability if they act in good faith.

Maddy summaryThis resolution officially designates September 22, 2024, as "World Rhino Day" within the state of Pennsylvania. The measure aims to raise public awareness about the global efforts to protect all five species of rhinos from extinction, which is primarily threatened by poaching for their horns. By recognizing this date, the Senate intends to highlight the dangers of the illegal wildlife trade and the importance of conservation work, without changing any laws or government operations.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates September 2024 as "Living Independence for the Elderly (LIFE) Month" in Pennsylvania to highlight the state's long-standing program that helps older adults age in their own homes rather than nursing facilities. The resolution acknowledges the program's role in coordinating medical, social, and supportive services for seniors with chronic care needs through a network of community centers. It also directs copies of the document to the nine organizations currently providing LIFE services across the state.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution designates the week of September 16 through 20, 2024, as "Safe2Say Something Week" across Pennsylvania to highlight the state's Safe2Say Program. The program, managed by the Office of Attorney General and Sandy Hook Promise, provides an anonymous way for students, staff, and community members to report threatening behavior or mental health concerns. Since its launch in 2019, the initiative has received over 146,000 reports, with recent data showing it is the most frequently used school safety reporting system in the nation. The resolution serves to recognize the program's success in addressing issues such as bullying, cyberbullying, and suicidal ideation without altering any existing laws or operational procedures.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to establish a funding mechanism for students enrolled in career and technical education programs. It directs the state to provide additional payments to school districts, area career and technical schools, and charter schools based on the number of eligible students they serve. The law specifies how these payments are calculated using enrollment data fixed as of June before each school year begins. Although the text references historical school years, the bill was recently reintroduced to update this funding provision for current and future education budgets.