Maddy summarySB 1152 amends Pennsylvania's Human Relations Act to explicitly prohibit housing and lending discrimination based on "source of income," which now includes all lawful income like wages, public assistance, child support, pensions, and housing subsidies. The bill adds this category to existing protected characteristics (such as race, religion, and disability) in Section 5(h), banning landlords and lenders from refusing housing, financing, or services - or imposing different terms - because of how a person receives their income. This directly affects housing providers, mortgage lenders, and real estate agents who must now avoid discriminatory practices tied to income sources. The change updates the law to cover modern housing access issues, such as discrimination against tenants using housing vouchers or public benefits.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySenate Resolution 210 designates January 23, 2026, as "Maternal Health Awareness Day" in Pennsylvania to honor women and birthing people who die from pregnancy or childbirth complications. The resolution highlights Pennsylvania data showing Black women and birthing people experience a maternal mortality rate of 186 deaths per 100,000 live births - over twice the state average - reflecting racial disparities in maternal health outcomes. This symbolic designation aims to raise public awareness about maternal mortality and support ongoing efforts to address this public health issue, as referenced in the 2025 Pennsylvania Maternal Mortality Review Report.
Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania Senate resolution (SR 207) urges the U.S. Congress to pass the bipartisan Restore Trust in Congress Act (H.R. 5106). The resolution calls for prohibiting members of Congress, their spouses, and dependent children from owning or trading individual stocks. It aims to address public concerns about potential conflicts of interest when lawmakers use nonpublic policy information for personal financial gain through stock trades. The resolution emphasizes restoring trust in government by requiring federal lawmakers to prioritize public service over personal financial benefit.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania law to strengthen background checks for individuals working with children in childcare settings. It prohibits hiring or approving applicants with certain criminal histories, including convictions for strangulation, arson, interstate domestic violence, or being listed on sex offender or child abuse perpetrator registries. The rule applies specifically to employers, administrators, and volunteers at child day-care centers, group day-care homes, and family child-care homes. The changes take effect 60 days after enactment.
Maddy summarySB 1140 amends Pennsylvania’s National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline Notification Act to expand training requirements for businesses directly involved in lodging or short-term rentals. It requires hotels, motels, and similar public lodging establishments (offering >10 rooms) to provide human trafficking awareness training to all employees and third-party contractors managing staff who access guest areas. Short-term rental operators and platforms listing such rentals must also implement training for their workers. The bill mandates training completion within 90 days of hire or the law’s effective date, with valid training lasting two years, while allowing prior training to count if completed within the past year.
Maddy summarySB 1147 amends Pennsylvania's Human Services Code to update reimbursement rates for emergency ambulance services under Medicaid programs (Fee-for-Service, Capitation, and Community HealthChoices). It requires reimbursement for every loaded mile based on the higher of 2023 Medicare ambulance rates or current Medicaid fees, effective January 1, 2024. For cases where patients refused transport, it sets new rates starting July 1, 2025, using 2025 Medicare rates or updated Medicaid fees. The bill applies retroactively to July 1, 2025, directly affecting licensed ambulance providers serving Medicaid enrollees.
Maddy summarySB 1148 amends Pennsylvania's Human Relations Act to strengthen housing accommodations for renters with disabilities. It requires landlords to permit reasonable modifications to rental units at the tenant's expense (with restoration requirements), grant accommodation requests within 10 days, and allow tenants to terminate leases without fees if accommodations are denied. The law applies to all rental agreements executed or renewed after the bill's effective date, protecting both current tenants who develop disabilities during their lease and new tenants with disabilities. Landlords cannot waive these rights through lease terms or charge fees for tenants exercising these protections.
Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 209) symbolically designates January 27, 2026, as "International Holocaust Remembrance Day" in Pennsylvania. It recognizes the UN-established date (January 27) commemorating the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau and honors Holocaust victims, while affirming the importance of remembering the Holocaust to prevent future genocide and condemn intolerance. As a commemorative resolution, it has no binding legal effect and does not impose new requirements or alter existing laws.
Maddy summarySB 1129 amends Pennsylvania's Underground Utility Line Protection Law by updating the definition of "line" or "facility" to explicitly include unconventional oil and gas well production lines, gathering lines, and steam pipelines in public rights-of-way. It clarifies that these additions apply regardless of land ownership or easements, while specifying that stripper well lines are excluded unless they meet specific federal pipeline safety standards. The bill directly affects utility companies, construction crews, and excavation workers who must follow damage prevention rules for underground infrastructure. This definition update ensures clearer coverage for modern utility systems during excavation projects.
Maddy summarySB 1130 amends Pennsylvania's Public Utility Confidential Security Information Disclosure Protection Act to clarify when public utilities' security information can be shared for construction or renovation projects involving public buildings. It adds an exception allowing agencies to disclose such information (after notifying the utility) for these specific construction purposes, without triggering the act's disclosure prohibition or making the information subject to public disclosure under the Right-to-Know Law. The bill directly affects public utilities, government agencies, and construction entities working on public projects. This change ensures security details remain protected while enabling necessary project work without unintended public release.