Maddy summarySB 620 requires all Pennsylvania public and charter schools to install at least one automated external defibrillator (AED) in each K-12 school building or facility by the 2025-2026 school year. Schools must place AEDs in accessible, centrally located spots with clear signage, register them with the National AED Registry and local emergency services, and conduct regular inspections to ensure functionality. The bill mandates that at least 10% of school staff be certified in CPR and AED use (renewing every two years) and requires schools to develop cardiac emergency response plans and publicly report AED maintenance records. This applies to all schools hosting students or school activities, with specific accessibility standards to comply with disability laws.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis resolution designates April 2025 as "Alcohol Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania. It recognizes the public health impact of alcohol use, citing statistics such as 140,000 annual alcohol-related deaths and 750,000 adolescents affected by alcohol use disorder. The resolution aims to inform Pennsylvanians about the dangers of alcohol use and abuse for both adults and children. As a symbolic gesture, it does not create new laws or obligations but aligns with the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence's annual observance.
Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution designates March 18, 2025, as "COVID-19 Day of Remembrance" in Pennsylvania to honor Pennsylvanians who died from the virus, including the first state death on March 18, 2020. It recognizes healthcare workers, essential personnel, and all residents affected by the pandemic. The resolution has no legal effect or policy changes - it serves as a symbolic observance. The date was chosen to mark the anniversary of the first confirmed death in Pennsylvania.
Maddy summarySB 602 requires labor brokers in Pennsylvania to register with the Department of Labor and Industry before supplying construction workers to employers. It directly affects entities that recruit and place workers for construction projects, excluding certain subcontractors who meet specific criteria. The bill establishes a public verification system on the department’s website showing registered brokers’ details, mandates registration numbers in contracts and ads, and imposes penalties for operating without registration. Key provisions include application requirements, annual fees, and enforcement mechanisms like fines or suspension for violations. The law aims to increase transparency and accountability in the labor brokerage industry.
Maddy summarySB 587 amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code to require that applicants for tax credits or benefits must not have committed "anti-union activity" in the past 10 years. The bill directly affects businesses or individuals seeking state tax credits by adding a new eligibility check. Key provisions define "anti-union activity" to include recent National Labor Relations Board complaints, settlements related to labor violations, or breaches of Pennsylvania's Labor Relations Act. Tax authorities must verify this eligibility before awarding credits, with specific examples provided in the bill. This change takes effect 60 days after enactment.
Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 78) designates May 2025 as "Myositis Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania. It directly affects residents of Pennsylvania living with myositis, a rare autoimmune disease causing muscle inflammation and weakness. The resolution aims to raise public awareness and support for those impacted by this condition, which affects an estimated 75,000 people nationwide. As a ceremonial resolution, it does not create new laws or funding but formally recognizes the disease through a symbolic designation.
Maddy summaryThis resolution recognizes April 13-19, 2025, as "National Public Safety Telecommunications Week" in Pennsylvania. It honors 911 dispatchers, emergency telecommunicators, and staff at public safety communication centers for their critical 24/7 work handling emergency calls and coordinating responses. The resolution acknowledges their role in saving lives, managing high-stress situations, and supporting first responders during crises. It does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic tribute to these workers' service.
Maddy summarySB 586, the Workplace Misclassification Act, sets clear criteria for determining when a worker qualifies as an independent contractor (requiring written project-specific contracts, business ownership, and independence from employer control) and prohibits employers from misclassifying employees as independent contractors. This directly affects workers who might lose access to workers' compensation, unemployment benefits, and other employee protections if misclassified, as well as employers who fail to properly classify workers. Key mechanisms include criminal penalties for violations, administrative fines, stop-work orders for noncompliant employers, and a private right for workers to sue for misclassification. The bill aims to replace vague standards with enforceable rules, requiring the Department of Labor to enforce these provisions and report annually on compliance.
Maddy summarySB 575 amends Pennsylvania law to expand the definition of hate-based intimidation under Title 18, specifically adding "ethnic" to the list of protected characteristics (alongside race, color, religion, national origin, and disability) for offenses involving assault or property damage. It creates a new civil remedy under Title 42, allowing victims injured by such acts to sue for damages, injunctions, or other relief in court. The bill directly affects individuals who experience hate-motivated crimes and the legal system handling these cases. The changes take effect 60 days after enactment.
Maddy summarySB 588 establishes a new Prevailing Wage Co-Enforcement Program within Pennsylvania's Department of Labor and Industry. The program authorizes trained volunteers (called "program participants") to monitor public construction projects for violations of the existing Pennsylvania Prevailing Wage Act, which requires contractors to pay local prevailing wages. Key mechanisms include volunteers conducting site visits, interviewing workers, and reporting violations to the Department under strict guidelines (e.g., wearing ID badges, submitting reports within 48 hours, and avoiding union-related activities). This directly affects public construction workers, contractors working on public projects, and the Department of Labor, which oversees the program. The bill does not change prevailing wage rates but creates a new enforcement tool for the Department.