Sen. Jay Costa

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution officially designates September 2024 as "Mushroom Month" to honor Pennsylvania's status as the nation's leading mushroom producer. The bill highlights the state's significant economic contribution from family-owned farms and recognizes the technical expertise required for mushroom cultivation. By celebrating this industry, the measure aims to raise awareness of the agricultural traditions and economic value provided by Pennsylvania's mushroom growers.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution officially designates September 2024 as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month in Pennsylvania. The bill aims to increase public knowledge about the disease, which is the most common cancer diagnosed in men in the state and the second leading cause of cancer death among American men. By highlighting statistics on risk factors and symptoms, the measure encourages Pennsylvanians to learn more about prevention and early detection. This action is symbolic and does not alter any laws or allocate funding.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates November 10, 2024, as Marine Corps' Day in Pennsylvania to honor the 249th anniversary of the United States Marine Corps' founding. The bill does not change any laws or create new programs; instead, it serves as a formal statement of recognition within the state legislature. By passing this measure, the Senate acknowledges the historical contributions and service of the Marine Corps without altering existing policies or affecting specific individuals.

Maddy summarySB 917 amends Pennsylvania state laws to provide special fishing and hunting license benefits for law enforcement officers. The bill allows eligible officers, including state police, corrections officers, and various local and campus police personnel, to purchase an annual resident fishing license for just $1 and a resident hunting license for $1. To qualify, these individuals must provide proof of their employment as an officer within the Commonwealth. The legislation also authorizes the state commission to create specific regulations to manage how these discounted licenses are issued and verified.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania bill establishes new rules to limit the use of DEHP and other similar chemicals in medical devices like IV bags and tubing. It prohibits the manufacture and sale of these devices containing DEHP starting in 2026, with a complete ban on all IV tubing by 2031, while also forbidding the replacement of DEHP with other chemicals in the same family. Additionally, the law requires healthcare providers to inform patients about the potential risks of these chemicals and their right to request DEHP-free equipment before treatment begins. The legislation is based on findings that these substances can interfere with hormones and may contribute to certain health issues, including cancer and reproductive problems.

Maddy summaryThis resolution officially designates August 2024 as "Civic Health Month" throughout Pennsylvania to highlight the connection between voting and community well-being. The measure does not create new laws or change government procedures but serves as a symbolic declaration to encourage civic participation. It aims to raise awareness that engaging in elections can help shape policies related to health, housing, and transportation, which are critical for individual and community health.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates September 20, 2024, as POW/MIA Recognition Day in Pennsylvania to honor soldiers who are prisoners of war or missing in action. The bill does not change any laws or require new actions from government agencies; instead, it serves as a symbolic gesture to acknowledge the sacrifices of these service members and their families. By setting aside a specific date for recognition, the measure aims to keep the memory of those unaccounted for from past conflicts alive within the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to restrict state funding for universities that host or support events promoting antisemitism during the 2024-2025 school year. It requires institutions to refund any state money received in the year such an event occurs and mandates that violations be reported to the State Board of Education for a hearing within 30 days. The legislation defines antisemitism using specific criteria, including hate speech, denial of the Holocaust, and double standards applied to Israel, and applies these rules to all state-funded universities in the Commonwealth.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Public Employer Disclosure Act, requires public employers in Pennsylvania to share specific personal and employment details about their workers with authorized employee representatives. The law mandates that employers provide information such as names, contact details, job titles, and salaries in an electronic format within 21 days of hiring a new employee and at least every 120 days thereafter. Additionally, the act requires public employers to make meeting space available to employee organizations upon request, allowing them to gather with staff on a quarterly basis. While the provided information can only be used for representation purposes, the bill allows collective bargaining agreements to demand even more frequent updates. If a public employer fails to comply with these requirements, employee organizations can seek court orders to enforce the rules and recover legal costs.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new grant program to provide operating assistance for public transportation in Pennsylvania counties that are experiencing growth. Eligible recipients include transit agencies located in counties where either the total population or total employment has increased over the past five years. The program will split available funding evenly between these two categories, with amounts awarded based on each county's specific growth rate. To receive funds, applicants must already be recipients of existing state transportation grants and will be subject to standard program requirements without a new local matching fund mandate.