Sen. Frank Farry

Maddy summarySB 25 amends Pennsylvania's Professional Nursing Law to update regulations for certified registered nurse practitioners (CRNPs). It clarifies definitions, including "Advanced Practice Registered Nurse-Certified Nurse Practitioner" (APRN-CNP), and specifies their scope of practice, including prescribing authority for certain medications. The bill requires CRNPs to collaborate with physicians through written agreements and immediate communication protocols, while transferring oversight of CRNP licensing from the State Board of Medicine to the State Board of Nursing. These changes directly affect nurse practitioners, the State Board of Nursing, and physicians working with CRNPs in Pennsylvania.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a property tax freeze program for Pennsylvania seniors. It allows residents aged 65+ who have lived in Pennsylvania for at least five years to freeze their property taxes at the "base year" amount if they meet income requirements ($65,000 annual household income or taxes exceeding 10% of income). The freeze applies only to primary residences and must be renewed annually with proof of continued eligibility. Local governments implement the program, and the state department tracks participation and savings through annual reports.

Maddy summarySB 105 requires organizations running political advertisements not authorized by a candidate or their committee to list the top five donors who contributed the most in the previous year. This applies to ads promoting or opposing candidates or ballot questions through media like newspapers, radio, or online. The bill mandates that such ads include the exact phrase "The top five contributors to the organization for this advertisement are" followed by the donor names. It amends Section 1638(a)(3) of Pennsylvania's Election Code to enforce this transparency requirement. The law would take effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new fund to help pay for the medical care of retired police dogs in Pennsylvania. It establishes the K-9 Retirement Fund, which is managed by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency to provide financial grants to individuals caring for these animals. The fund can accept money from various sources, including state appropriations and donations, to cover veterinary expenses such as surgeries, medications, and end-of-life care. To ensure transparency, the commission must submit annual reports detailing how the money is spent and post them online.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Office of Employee Ownership within Pennsylvania's Department of Community and Economic Development to support businesses where employees hold ownership stakes. The office will be led by a governor-appointed advocate who is responsible for educating business owners, identifying barriers to employee ownership, and collecting data on these enterprises. Additionally, the legislation establishes a grant program that provides technical and financial assistance to help employee-owned groups develop or improve their operations. Local agencies such as municipalities and certified economic development organizations will administer these funds to eligible businesses across the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Vital Statistics Law to allow licensed practical nurses working in hospice care to officially pronounce death under specific conditions. To qualify, the patient must be under hospice care with a valid Do Not Resuscitate order, and the nurse must complete required training on assessing vital signs and postmortem care. The law clarifies that while nurses can declare death based on the cessation of breathing and heartbeat, they cannot determine the cause of death, which remains the responsibility of physicians or coroners. Additionally, the bill expands fee waivers for certified copies of death records to include a broader range of military personnel, veterans, and their dependents.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's Architects Licensure Law to formally include interior design services under the state's regulatory framework. It establishes an Architects Licensure Board with specific representation for architects, public members, and certified interior designers to oversee licensing, examinations, and disciplinary actions. The legislation defines what constitutes the practice of architecture versus interior design services and sets requirements for individual licensure, firm registration, and continuing education. Additionally, it creates a certification path for interior designers and outlines procedures for handling complaints and penalties related to unauthorized practice.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands workers' compensation coverage to include post-traumatic stress injuries for emergency medical services personnel responding to specific traumatic events. It defines a qualifying traumatic event as incidents involving serious injury or death, threats to life, mass casualties, or crime scene investigations, and extends the time limit for filing claims to one year after the injury occurs. The legislation also sets a maximum benefit period of 104 weeks for these stress-related injuries and allows treatment by licensed psychologists or psychiatrists. By updating the state's Workers' Compensation Act, the law ensures that EMS workers who suffer from psychological trauma related to their duties can receive financial and medical support.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's Sexual Assault Testing and Evidence Collection Act to clarify definitions and improve how evidence is managed. It designates the Pennsylvania State Police as the sole entity responsible for maintaining and operating the statewide tracking system used to record sexual assault evidence kits. The legislation also establishes that information in this system is intended solely as a resource for victims and cannot be used in court to challenge the legal chain of custody for evidence. Additionally, the bill adjusts the timeline for certain reporting requirements, changing the deadline from a specific date to a period of 60 days.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the state's Workers' Compensation Act to update a specific reference within the law. The change removes a citation to section 307 from the text, which is a technical adjustment to the statute's language. By making this edit, the legislation ensures the legal code accurately reflects current sections without altering the core rules for injured workers or employers. The bill was signed into law by the Governor on October 29, 2024, and became Act No. 126 of 2024.