Sen. Frank Farry

Maddy summaryPennsylvania Senate Bill 1441 creates a new state income tax credit for parents, guardians, or grandparents who pay for their children's participation in youth activities. To qualify, the child must be under 18 and a Pennsylvania resident participating in eligible nonprofessional sports, arts, or recreational programs. Taxpayers can claim a credit equal to necessary expenses such as equipment, travel, lessons, and registration fees, with a maximum limit of $2,000 per child. The credit is not refundable and cannot be carried over to other tax years, applying to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2026.

Maddy summaryPennsylvania Senate Bill 1440 requires ambulances and Quick Response System vehicles to display a visible QR code in the patient care area. This code must link to a digital resource containing emergency airway management protocols for laryngectomy patients, visual guides for identifying stomas, and contact information for regional medical support. Emergency medical services agencies are responsible for keeping these codes functional and accessible without requiring login credentials. The state department of health must establish specific standards for the content, placement, and training related to these codes within 180 days of the bill's effective date.

Maddy summaryPennsylvania Senate Resolution 356 designates the week of August 17 through 23, 2026, as "Social Media Safety and Parental Awareness Week." The resolution cites rising statistics on online child exploitation, including sextortion and the use of artificial intelligence for abuse, to highlight the need for greater vigilance. It encourages educational programming and public awareness efforts aimed at protecting minors from these digital threats as students prepare to return to school.

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 summarySenate Bill 738 amends the Older Adults Protective Services Act to create new requirements for financial institutions concerning the financial exploitation of older adults. It mandates that financial institution employees report suspected financial exploitation to a designated representative within two business days. If the representative finds reasonable cause, they must then report the suspected exploitation to the Department of Aging or an area agency on aging. This bill aims to establish a structured reporting system within financial institutions to protect older adults.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania Senate Resolution urges the U.S. Congress to review Major Richard D. Winters' actions during World War II and award him the Congressional Medal of Honor. The bill highlights his leadership at Heteren Crossroads in 1944, where he led a small force against a larger German unit, resulting in significant enemy casualties and the protection of allied headquarters. It also notes the upcoming 25th anniversary of the popular 'Band of Brothers' television series, which brought Winters' story to a wide audience. The resolution directs copies to federal lawmakers and Pennsylvania representatives to advocate for this recognition.

Maddy summarySB 1182 amends Pennsylvania's Board of Vehicles Act to update definitions and add new requirements for vehicle dealers, manufacturers, and distributors. It requires manufacturers/distributors to reimburse dealers for all parts and service costs mandated by them, includes audit provisions for these reimbursements, and establishes a process for manufacturers/distributors to repurchase dealer inventory or equipment. The bill also adds consumer data protection rules, defining "consumer data" to align with federal standards (15 U.S.C. § 6809) and limiting how third-party "authorized integrators" can access dealer data. These changes directly affect vehicle dealers (who sell new/used cars), manufacturers, and distributors, while protecting consumer data used in dealership operations.

Maddy summarySB 362 creates new criminal penalties for using counterfeit payment cards that mimic public assistance benefits (like food stamps or cash aid). It classifies offenses as second-degree felonies for $1,000+ in fraud (third-degree for less), requires offenders to pay full restitution, and permanently bans convicted individuals from receiving cash assistance. The bill directly affects people who commit fraud using fake cards tied to assistance programs and strengthens state enforcement against such fraud. Key provisions include clear penalty tiers based on the amount defrauded and a four-year statute of limitations for prosecution.

Maddy summarySB 9 requires public schools and colleges in Pennsylvania to explicitly label athletic teams as "male," "female," or "coed" based on students' sex assigned at birth. It prohibits male students from participating on teams designated for females, directly affecting student-athletes and school athletic programs. The bill creates legal causes of action allowing students to sue institutions for denying athletic opportunities or causing harm due to violations, and protects schools from penalties for maintaining sex-segregated teams. It also permits schools to sue entities that unfairly target them for enforcing these designations, with all claims needing to be filed within two years of the harm.

Maddy summarySB 1133 amends Pennsylvania's Pharmacy Act to adjust the composition of the State Board of Pharmacy. The bill increases the number of pharmacist members from five to six, requiring two to be appointed from acute care institutional pharmacies (previously one), and specifies that pharmacy technician members must have at least five years of experience. All board members serve six-year terms, with the technician limited to one term and other members to two consecutive terms. Appointments require the Governor's nomination and Senate approval.