Sen. Nick Pisciottano

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution officially designates the week of May 6 through 12, 2026, as Nurses Week in Pennsylvania. The measure aims to recognize the contributions of the state's large nursing workforce, which includes over 240,000 registered nurses and other licensed practitioners. By aligning with National Nurses Week, the resolution highlights the critical role nurses play in the Commonwealth's healthcare delivery system.

Maddy summaryThis bill prevents Pennsylvania local governments from setting rules that limit how many family members can live in a single home. It achieves this by amending state statutes to explicitly ban occupancy restrictions based on familial relationships, which include connections through blood, marriage, adoption, or foster care. While the law removes these specific family-based limits, it allows municipalities to still enforce occupancy rules if they are necessary for health, safety, fire codes, or wastewater standards. The changes become effective 60 days after the bill is passed.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution honors the life and legacy of Reverend Jesse Jackson, a prominent civil rights leader and activist who passed away in February 2026. The document outlines his significant contributions to social justice, including his work with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, Operation Breadbasket, and Operation PUSH, as well as his role in organizing the Black Political Convention and his two presidential campaigns. The resolution serves as a formal acknowledgment of his impact on movements for racial equality, economic justice, and peace both domestically and internationally.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires electric distribution companies in Pennsylvania to submit evidence showing how they plan to use advanced transmission technologies when applying to build new power lines. Under the new rules, proposed projects will only be approved if the commission determines that feasible and cost-effective technologies are used to achieve at least two specific goals, such as avoiding new construction, increasing system capacity, or reducing environmental impacts. The legislation also allows companies to recover any extra costs associated with these upgrades through approved tariffs and defines specific technologies like dynamic line rating and high-performance conductors.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania bill, SB 1300, amends the state's personal income tax code to allow tax-free withdrawals from certain retirement accounts for specific life events. It directly affects Pennsylvania residents who hold these accounts and plan to access funds for a child's birth or adoption or to purchase a first-time home. Under the new provisions, parents may withdraw up to $5,000 individually or $10,000 combined per child, while first-time homebuyers can withdraw up to $10,000. The legislation aligns state tax treatment with federal exemptions for these categories of early withdrawals. These tax exemptions will apply to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania Senate resolution urges the U.S. Congress to pass a law banning insider stock trading and betting in prediction markets for top federal officials. The proposed legislation would prohibit members of Congress, the President, the Vice President, and Cabinet members from buying or selling stocks, derivatives, or other securities that could be influenced by their access to nonpublic government information. Additionally, the bill seeks to forbid these officials from placing financial bets on outcomes related to government actions, policy decisions, or national security events. If enacted, the law would require these officials to divest their holdings within a set timeframe and establish an independent authority to enforce penalties for violations.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Chiropractic Practice Act to create a new certification program for chiropractic assistants. It directly affects individuals seeking to work as supportive staff in chiropractic offices by establishing specific eligibility requirements, including age, education, moral character checks, graduation from an approved program, and passing a state exam. The legislation outlines procedures for temporary certification, exam retakes, and the exclusive use of the "certified chiropractic assistant" title, while also defining the scope of work these assistants can perform under the direct supervision of a licensed chiropractor. Additionally, the bill mandates continuing education for renewal and sets rules for reinstating certifications that have been revoked.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania Senate Resolution officially designates the week of April 19 through 25, 2026, as National Infertility Awareness Week within the state. The measure serves as a symbolic recognition to highlight infertility issues and encourage empathy and understanding among the public. It does not create new laws or require specific actions from government agencies or individuals.

Maddy summarySB 1268 amends Pennsylvania's Labor Relations Act to clarify definitions of employees and independent contractors while introducing new rules for union elections and employer conduct. The bill requires employers to post notices about employee rights both physically and electronically and mandates the provision of detailed voter lists to labor organizations following union elections. Additionally, it designates specific actions as unfair labor practices, such as forcing employees to participate in employer-led campaigns unrelated to their job duties. These changes aim to standardize how labor disputes are managed and ensure clearer communication between employers and workers regarding their collective bargaining rights.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's existing professional licensing law to formally include art therapists alongside social workers, marriage and family therapists, and professional counselors under state regulation. It establishes the State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors and Professional Art Therapists to oversee the field and defines specific qualifications, including the requirement for an accredited degree and supervised practice. The legislation also sets new standards for what constitutes art therapy services, outlines procedures for obtaining and renewing licenses, and creates penalties for practicing without a valid license or using protected titles without authorization.