Sen. John Kane

Maddy summarySB 935 (the "PrEP for Pennsylvania Act") mandates that all health insurance policies sold in Pennsylvania must cover the cost of preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) HIV prevention medication. This directly affects insurance providers, who must include PrEP in standard coverage without moving it to a higher-cost specialty tier, and people who rely on insurance for HIV prevention. The law also prohibits requiring unnecessary specialist counseling to access PrEP. It takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summarySB 936, the "PEP for Pennsylvania Act," requires all health insurance policies sold in Pennsylvania to cover the cost of postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) HIV medication - FDA-approved drugs taken after potential HIV exposure to prevent infection. It mandates this coverage for all qualifying health insurance plans (excluding dental, vision, or limited benefit policies) starting 60 days after the law takes effect, and prohibits insurers from placing PEP medications in higher-cost specialty tiers solely for profit. The bill also prevents insurers from requiring unnecessary counseling from infectious disease specialists to access PEP, unless medically needed. This directly affects Pennsylvania residents with health insurance by ensuring access to critical HIV prevention medication without financial barriers.

Maddy summarySB 475 creates a framework for Pennsylvania courts to establish specialized "problem-solving" treatment courts (including veterans, drug, mental health, and DUI courts) and modifies probation rules. It allows courts to create "veterans tracks" within existing treatment programs and requires judges to consider a defendant's employment status when sentencing for technical probation violations. The bill specifically permits up to 30 days of incarceration to allow defendants to enter treatment courts instead of imposing full sentences for technical probation violations. This directly affects Pennsylvania courts, probation officers, and individuals on probation who commit minor violations.

Maddy summarySB 926 amends Pennsylvania's child custody law to add a new factor for courts to consider: a party's or household member's history of drug or alcohol abuse. It specifically clarifies that lawful medical marijuana use under Pennsylvania's Medical Marijuana Act (2016) alone cannot be used as evidence to deny custody or require drug testing. The bill directly affects family courts and parents involved in custody disputes by explicitly protecting medical marijuana users from having their lawful use impact custody decisions. This change updates the existing custody factors list in Title 23 of Pennsylvania law to ensure medical marijuana use is not unfairly treated as evidence of abuse. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 130) condemns the antisemitic firebombing attack that occurred on June 1, 2025, in Boulder, Colorado, during a Run for Their Lives demonstration supporting Jewish hostages. It calls on Pennsylvania (referred to as "the Commonwealth") to address the rising trend of antisemitism, citing statistics showing Jewish people face 67% of religious hate crimes in the U.S. and a 344% increase in antisemitic incidents over five years. The resolution expresses solidarity with the Jewish community, thanks law enforcement for responding to hate incidents, and urges action to combat antisemitism statewide. As a symbolic resolution, it does not create new laws or funding but formally condemns the attack and advocates for community support.

Maddy summarySR 133 is a symbolic resolution designating July 21-25, 2025, as "Construction Opioid Awareness Week" in Pennsylvania. It directly encourages Pennsylvania's construction industry - including contractors, unions, and organizations like the Keystone Contractors Association - to promote awareness of opioid dangers and facilitate discussions during that week. The resolution references high overdose rates in construction (130.9 deaths per 100,000 workers in 2020) and urges existing efforts like educational toolkits, naloxone access, and "Drug Take Back" events. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws or funding but formally recognizes the industry’s ongoing awareness initiatives.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance companies in Pennsylvania to send their policyholders a clear, two-page notice twice each year explaining what addiction treatment services are covered under their plans. The notice must detail specific care levels like detoxification and rehabilitation, explain how long stays are available, describe how to access services, and outline appeal processes. Insurers must submit these notices to the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs for review before sending them to customers, and the department has 45 days to approve or request changes. Companies that fail to provide this information as required could face administrative fines or penalties determined by the department.

Maddy summarySB 910 creates a new 6.5% severance tax on natural gas extracted at the wellhead in Pennsylvania, starting January 1, 2026. It directly affects natural gas producers (businesses extracting gas for sale or commercial use), excluding those working with storage fields or coal bed methane. The bill requires producers to report monthly gas volumes and pay taxes within 15 days of each reporting period, with revenues deposited into the state General Fund. It also repeals an expiration provision for unconventional gas well fees, ensuring those fees remain in effect.

Maddy summaryThis resolution urges Congress to establish a National Infrastructure Bank to address infrastructure funding gaps. It references Pennsylvania's specific challenges, including lead pipes in water systems and bridge maintenance needs, as justification for federal action. The resolution requests Congress create this bank but does not create new laws or funding. It was referred to the Transportation committee for consideration.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's Administrative Code to give the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs more flexibility in hiring and training staff during an opioid epidemic. It allows individuals with lived experience of addiction recovery or internship experience to serve as counselors if approved by a clinical supervisor, and prevents the department from adding new credential requirements for treatment staff during the crisis. The law defines an opioid epidemic as a period with over 1,000 confirmed overdose deaths from opioids in at least three consecutive years, and it takes effect 60 days after passage.