Sen. Dan Laughlin

Maddy summarySB 432 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to create new educational pathways for foster and adopted children attending state universities and colleges. The bill requires public higher education institutions to develop and implement specific support programs, including academic advising and financial aid coordination, for eligible students who were in foster care or adopted. It directly affects current and future foster youth and adopted children pursuing higher education within Pennsylvania's public university system. Key provisions establish standardized support mechanisms to improve access and retention for this population in state-funded institutions.

Maddy summarySB 800 amends Pennsylvania's fish and boating laws to clarify how fees collected from fishing and boating activities fund specific conservation efforts. It adds provisions allowing the Fish Fund to cover expenses related to boats/boating that benefit fish and fishing, and the Boat Fund to cover expenses related to fish/fishing that benefit boats/boating. The bill requires the Fish and Boat Commission to track and report all spending under these new provisions annually to legislative committees by January 31. These changes ensure transparency in fund usage while directing resources toward overlapping conservation priorities for both fish and boating infrastructure.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Pennsylvania state agencies to review every program from scratch every five years, starting in 2026. Agencies must justify each program's existence, detail costs for minimum vs. current service levels, and assess impacts if discontinued, except for classroom teaching, curriculum, and direct student services in public schools. The Secretary of the Budget will oversee this process, mandating detailed plans from agencies to ensure transparency and accountability in spending. It aims to replace incremental budgeting with a system that evaluates all programs based on current needs rather than historical spending.

Maddy summaryThis bill restricts the use of bait to attract game wildlife during hunting, banning artificial or natural bait except for specific exceptions. It creates a new permit allowing disabled hunters to use bait on private land with landowner permission, while requiring a 200-yard buffer zone for non-permitted hunters and a 30-day waiting period after bait removal. The law maintains existing exemptions for farming, forestry, and industrial activities but prohibits baiting in ways not authorized by wildlife regulations. These changes apply to hunting regulations under Pennsylvania’s wildlife code, directly affecting hunters, landowners, and disabled hunters seeking specialized permits.

Maddy summarySB 1035 (Ryan's Law) would amend Pennsylvania's Medical Marijuana Act to allow terminally ill patients to use medical marijuana in healthcare facilities under specific conditions. The bill requires facilities to permit use (without smoking/vaping), document it in patient records, and store marijuana in locked containers for safety, while exempting emergency departments. It directly affects terminally ill patients (with a one-year life expectancy prognosis) and healthcare facilities licensed under the Health Care Facilities Act. Key provisions include mandatory facility guidelines for use and allowing suspension of compliance if federal agencies prohibit medical marijuana programs. The bill does not require facilities to recommend marijuana or include it in discharge plans.

Maddy summarySB 1034 amends Pennsylvania's child protective services law to expand mandatory reporting requirements for certain child abuse offenses. It adds two specific crimes to the list that must be reported: "unlawful dissemination of intimate image" (18 Pa.C.S. § 3131) and "sexual abuse of children" (18 Pa.C.S. § 6312). This change directly affects mandated reporters (like teachers, healthcare workers, and social workers) who must now report these additional offenses under the law. The bill does not alter existing reporting obligations for other specified crimes like rape or sexual assault. It takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates October 2025 as "National Breast Cancer Awareness Month" and October 17, 2025, as "National Mammography Day" within Pennsylvania. It does not create new laws or funding but formally recognizes these observances at the state level. The resolution affects Pennsylvania's official state calendar and communications, encouraging awareness efforts during these designated dates. As a ceremonial resolution, it has no binding legal effect beyond the state's symbolic recognition.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates October 3, 2025, as "Manufacturing Day" in Pennsylvania. It is a symbolic gesture recognizing the importance of the manufacturing sector within the state. The resolution directly affects Pennsylvanians by formally encouraging public acknowledgment of manufacturing contributions on that date. It has no binding legal effect or policy changes beyond this commemorative designation.

Maddy summarySB 1017 defines "at-risk," "derelict," and "abandoned" boats in Pennsylvania law, creating a clear process for handling these vessels. It requires municipalities or law enforcement to notify the state commission within 7 days if they discover such boats, and to make reasonable efforts to contact the owner via certified mail or electronic means. The bill establishes procedures for removing hazards like boats taking on water, broken loose from anchors, or in deteriorated condition without owner contact. It directly affects boat owners, local governments managing waterways, and law enforcement agencies. The law focuses on defining terms and setting removal protocols, with penalties mentioned in the title but not detailed in the provided text.

Maddy summarySR 153 is a ceremonial resolution congratulating the West Suburban Little League 12-and-Under Softball Team on winning the 2025 Little League Softball World Series. It does not create new laws or policies, but formally recognizes the team's achievement through a vote by the legislature. The resolution directly affects the team and their community by providing official legislative acknowledgment of their championship. It was referred to the Rules & Executive Nominations committee on September 17, 2025.