Sen. Michele Brooks

Maddy summaryPennsylvania Senate Resolution 359 designates September 2026 as "Veteran Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month" to highlight the elevated suicide rates among military veterans in the state. The resolution cites specific statistics, noting that nearly 250 Pennsylvania veterans die by suicide annually and that female veterans face a significantly higher risk than their male counterparts. It acknowledges contributing factors such as post-traumatic stress disorder, unemployment, and difficulties reintegrating into civilian life. Additionally, the bill expresses support for the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and its ongoing initiatives to provide resources and education on suicide prevention for veterans and their families.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania Senate Resolution designates September 28, 2026, as "Green Star Veterans and Families Day" to honor veterans who died by suicide in connection with their military service. The bill formally recognizes the Green Star Service Banner as a symbol of remembrance for these individuals. It aims to acknowledge the resilience of the families left behind and raise public awareness about the mental health challenges and suicide crisis affecting veterans.

Maddy summaryPennsylvania Senate Bill 1429 amends state election and vehicle laws to require county election boards to actively maintain voter registration rolls by removing individuals who are deceased, non-citizens, or have moved out of the jurisdiction. The bill mandates that these removals be based on authoritative sources such as death certificates, Social Security Administration records, and data from the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements program, while requiring officials to send notice to voters before canceling their registration to allow for corrections. It also establishes a new annual certification process where county boards must report on their list maintenance activities to the Secretary of the Commonwealth and imposes criminal penalties for intentional failures to perform these official duties. Additionally, the legislation requires the Department of Transportation to share driver license address change data with election officials and mandates a four-year review by the Secretary of the Commonwealth to assess the effectiveness of these new procedures.

Maddy summaryPennsylvania Senate Bill 1426 designates the Interstate 81 and State Route 4007 interchange, known as Exit 119 in Schuylkill County, as the PSP Trooper Michael E. Pahira, Jr. Memorial Interchange. The bill honors Trooper Pahira, who died in July 2026 after being struck by a tractor-trailer while conducting a commercial vehicle safety inspection at that specific location. It directs the state Department of Transportation to erect and maintain signs displaying the new name at the interchange.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's criminal statutes to strengthen laws against human trafficking and prostitution by creating new offenses and clarifying definitions. It directly affects individuals who promote, facilitate, or profit from prostitution, including those who own prostitution businesses, transport people for sexual exploitation, or live off the proceeds of prostitution. Key provisions establish specific crimes for promoting prostitution, living off prostituted persons, and patronizing prostitution, with enhanced penalties for offenses involving minors or repeat offenders. The bill also creates a Prevention of Human Trafficking Account to provide grants for related prevention and response efforts.

Maddy summarySB 992 updates Pennsylvania's 1996 Telemarketer Registration Act to strengthen rules for phone sales calls. It requires telemarketers to register and prohibits blocking caller ID features used to screen calls, while banning unwanted solicitation calls. The bill also clarifies penalties for violations and enhances enforcement mechanisms for consumer protection. These changes directly affect telemarketers operating in Pennsylvania and aim to reduce unwanted calls for residents.

Maddy summarySB 349 requires solar energy facility owners (grantees) to provide detailed decommissioning plans and financial assurance to cover cleanup costs when facilities stop operating. Owners must submit these plans and secure funds starting 30 days before construction begins, with the required amount increasing incrementally over 25 years (reaching 100% of estimated costs by year 25). The financial assurance - held in escrow, bonds, or certificates - must be paid to landowners if owners fail to decommission facilities properly. This directly affects solar facility operators and landowners by ensuring funds are available for site restoration after a facility's operational life ends.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates rye whiskey as the official state spirit of Pennsylvania, recognizing its historical significance to the region's distilling tradition. The legislation formally acknowledges Pennsylvania's early role in American whiskey production and supports the state's current craft distilling industry. By establishing rye whiskey as an official state symbol, the bill aims to highlight local agricultural contributions and promote small business craftsmanship. The change takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis resolution directs Pennsylvania's Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to audit the state's medical assistance programs (including Medicaid) within 18 months. The audit must examine actuarial standards, whether past federal audit recommendations were adopted (like those from 2017 and 2024), and analyze high-risk areas for potential fraud. It requires the committee to report findings and recommendations to the General Assembly, focusing on program efficiency, cost savings, and fraud prevention. The resolution directly affects state agencies providing medical assistance and the committee conducting the audit.

Maddy summarySB 972 amends Pennsylvania's Second Class Township Code to expand the definition of "memorials" that townships can maintain. It specifically adds memorials honoring first responders - including firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, and police officers - to the existing category recognizing military veterans. The bill allows township boards of supervisors to repair, establish, or fund these memorials using donations from individuals or organizations. This change directly affects second-class townships across Pennsylvania by clarifying their authority to care for both military and first responder memorials.