Sen. Elder Vogel

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes police officers in Philadelphia to tow and impound vehicles involved in street racing, reckless driving, or excessive noise violations between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. It establishes a clear process for vehicle recovery, requiring owners to pay towing fees, storage costs, and a civil penalty of up to $1,000 for subsequent offenses. Owners also have the right to request an administrative hearing within 10 days to contest the impoundment, and any collected fines must be used to fund local traffic safety programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Equal Employment for All Act, prohibits employers in Pennsylvania from using credit reports to make hiring or firing decisions, with specific exceptions for national security roles, certain government jobs, financial institution executives, and cases required by law. The law aims to prevent discrimination based on an individual's creditworthiness, credit standing, or credit capacity during the employment process. Any violation of these restrictions will be treated as an unlawful discriminatory practice under the existing Pennsylvania Human Relations Act and will be enforced through that same legal framework.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 1337 modifies the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority Act to clarify how the state funds water quality projects. The bill specifically allows financial assistance for projects that align with the state's Nonpoint Source Management Program but explicitly prohibits using these funds to refinance existing projects. To support these changes, the legislation removes several outdated regulations that previously defined eligible costs and funding limits. The bill takes effect 60 days after being signed into law.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution designates May 2026 as Lyme Disease and Tick-Borne Illness Awareness Month in Pennsylvania to highlight the prevalence and risks of these conditions. The measure aims to increase public awareness about tick-borne illnesses, which are transmitted by infected ticks and can cause a range of symptoms from rashes to severe organ issues. By officially recognizing this month, the resolution encourages residents to take precautions against tick bites and seek early diagnosis and treatment to prevent long-term health complications.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance companies in Pennsylvania to cover fertility preservation services for individuals facing medically necessary cancer treatments that could cause infertility. The law mandates that insurers include storage for at least three years at an in-network facility and allows a lifetime maximum benefit of up to $100,000 per person, while still permitting standard policy terms like copayments and deductibles. Religious employers may request an exemption from these coverage requirements if the services conflict with their beliefs, though they must notify enrollees and allow individuals to purchase supplemental coverage at their own expense.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires electric utilities and their contractors to provide automated external defibrillators at all worksites where lineworkers perform electrical tasks. It mandates that these devices be available and functional at both permanent and temporary locations, while also requiring basic CPR and AED training for workers and crew leaders. The legislation assigns the Department of Labor and Industry the duty to establish maintenance and inspection standards for the equipment. Additionally, the bill extends Good Samaritan protections to individuals who use these devices in good faith, shielding them from liability.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates July 4, 2026, as 'Knoebels Amusement Resort Day' throughout Pennsylvania to honor the park's 100th anniversary. The bill recognizes Knoebels, a family-owned amusement park in Elysburg, for its century of operation and its status as the largest free-admission park in the United States. It highlights the park's history, from its origins as a picnic destination to its current offerings of rides and attractions, while noting its resilience against past flooding challenges. The measure serves as a commemorative tribute rather than enacting new laws or funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Pennsylvania courts in specific counties to charge an additional $10 automation fee when starting a legal case. The collected money must be used exclusively to fund and maintain automated systems within the clerk of courts offices. The fee can be raised once every three years, but only by an amount matching the recent inflation rate as measured by the Consumer Price Index. This change aims to provide dedicated funding for court technology updates while limiting how often and how much the fee can increase.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes specific Pennsylvania cities to create regulated programs for shared low-speed electric scooters, allowing users to rent and ride them on public roads. It defines these scooters as lightweight devices with electric motors and sets clear rules, such as requiring riders to be at least 16 years old and limiting speeds to 15 miles per hour. The legislation also establishes safety requirements, including where scooters can be ridden, how they must be parked, and penalties for abandoned or improperly used vehicles.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows prothonotaries in specific Pennsylvania counties to charge a new $10 automation fee for starting any legal case. The collected money must be placed in a special fund dedicated solely to updating and maintaining the prothonotary's office technology. The fee can be raised once every three years, but only by an amount matching the recent increase in the national Consumer Price Index. This change applies to second-class A counties, third through eighth-class counties, and home rule counties within those classes.