Sen. Camera Bartolotta

Maddy summarySB 337 amends Pennsylvania's sales tax code to exclude certain firearm safety devices from taxation. Specifically, it removes sales and use tax from items like gun safes, trigger locks, cable locks, and other devices that require a key or combination to operate a firearm. This change directly affects retailers and manufacturers selling these safety devices, as they will no longer collect state sales tax on these items. The bill adds a new exclusion under the Tax Reform Code, making these devices tax-exempt at the point of sale. The policy change is purely a tax code adjustment with no new restrictions on firearm ownership or use.

Maddy summarySB 326 updates Pennsylvania's Controlled Substance Act to automatically align the state's scheduling of substances with federal changes. It requires the state health secretary to add federally controlled substances to Pennsylvania's schedule within 30 days of federal action, unless objections are filed within that period. If objections are raised, the secretary must hold a hearing and issue a final order before scheduling takes effect. This affects the Pennsylvania Department of Health and regulated entities like pharmacies, healthcare providers, and businesses handling controlled substances.

Maddy summarySB 330 amends Pennsylvania's Sports Raffle Charities Act to change how funds from athletic event drawings are distributed. It requires 50% of ticket sales to go directly to designated charities within seven days, while 5% must fund fire department and emergency medical services grants through the Office of State Fire Commissioner. Nonprofit organizations running these raffles must annually report total ticket sales, charity donations, and grant funds to the State Treasurer by September 30. These reports are shared with state legislative committees overseeing appropriations and emergency services. The bill directly affects nonprofits conducting athletic raffles and the fire/emergency grant programs funded by the 5% allocation.

Maddy summarySB 336 prohibits solar energy facilities on Pennsylvania agricultural land with high-quality soil (Class 1 or 2) and requires landowners to seek soil classification certification from the Department of Agriculture before leasing land for solar projects. The bill creates a tax credit covering up to 30% of a solar project’s cost (3¢ per kilowatt-hour) for facilities on eligible sites like brownfields, abandoned mines, capped landfills, warehouse rooftops, or parking canopies, with an annual $5 million cap on credits. It excludes small solar projects under 2 megawatts, pre-existing agreements, and agricultural land where low-quality soil makes up only a small portion of the parcel. The tax credit application process requires annual submission by February 1 and approval by the Department of Community and Economic Development.

Maddy summarySB 342 creates the Pennsylvania Family and Medical Leave Act, providing eligible employees with up to six weeks of unpaid leave to care for a sibling, grandparent, or grandchild with a certified terminal illness. This applies only when the family member has no living spouse, children over 17, or parents under 65. The law builds on federal family leave protections but adds specific eligibility conditions for these family relationships. Employers must post a summary of the law, and employees can file complaints with the Department of Labor if denied leave under these provisions.

Maddy summarySB 314 requires Pennsylvania's Department of Health to report the death of any registered voter aged 18 or older to local election commissions within seven days of learning of the death. Election commissions must then cancel that voter's registration and update their records. The law aims to improve the accuracy of voter rolls by ensuring deceased individuals are removed promptly. It takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires most health insurance plans in Pennsylvania to cover infertility treatments without out-of-pocket costs (like deductibles or copays). It applies to individuals, spouses, and dependents seeking fertility care, including treatments like IVF, egg/sperm freezing, embryo transfers, and surrogacy costs. The law prohibits excluding coverage for infertility based on preexisting conditions, prior treatments, or arbitrary limits on the number of attempts. It specifically mandates coverage for 22 defined infertility services, including medical procedures and fertility preservation for those undergoing cancer treatment.

Maddy summarySB 268 amends Pennsylvania's Insurance Company Law to establish rules for calculating health insurance cost-sharing. It requires insurers and pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) to include all out-of-pocket payments made by insured individuals (or others on their behalf) when determining cost-sharing amounts like deductibles or copays. The law applies to health insurance policies issued, renewed, or entered into after its effective date, but excludes dental, vision, workers' compensation, and similar coverage types. This change directly affects health insurers, PBMs, and policyholders by standardizing how cost-sharing is calculated under health plans.

Maddy summarySB 254 establishes a new STEM Grant Program under Pennsylvania's Public School Code, enabling eligible public school educators to teach science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) subjects at nonpublic schools (including private and charter schools) during times when they are not teaching at their public school. Participating nonpublic schools will be reimbursed for the educators' compensation, calculated as the educator's hourly wage multiplied by hours taught and then multiplied by 1.25 to account for preparation time. The program is funded by a $1,000,000 state appropriation, with the Department of Education selecting an administrator to manage applications and distribute funds. Nonpublic schools must submit annual reports on program implementation, including student participation and outcomes.

Maddy summarySB 244 amends Pennsylvania's firearm licensing law to restrict access to the state's Firearms License Validation System. It requires that only Pennsylvania law enforcement officers acting within their official duties may check license validity, and prohibits sharing this information with law enforcement from states without a reciprocity agreement. The bill directly affects law enforcement agencies and out-of-state officials seeking to verify firearm licenses. It creates a new procedural mechanism to limit cross-state information sharing regarding license status, taking effect 60 days after enactment.