Sen. John Kane

Maddy summarySB 852 updates Pennsylvania's Minimum Wage Act to establish new hourly wage rates starting in 2026 ($12/hour) and 2027 ($15/hour), with automatic annual cost-of-living adjustments based on the Consumer Price Index beginning in 2025. It clarifies that tipped workers must retain all tips, cannot be required to surrender tips to employers to meet wage requirements, and must be informed in writing about their minimum wage entitlement. The bill also preempts local ordinances, meaning cities cannot set higher minimum wages than this state law. It directly affects all Pennsylvania employers and workers, particularly those in tipped occupations.

Maddy summarySB 854 requires owners or managers of certain public buildings (like stadiums, airports, or large shopping centers), State-owned buildings, and health care facilities to install and maintain at least one accessible adult changing station. These stations must include a height-adjustable table meeting specific size and weight capacity standards (25x72 inches, 400-pound capacity) and be accessible to all genders. The requirement applies to new construction or major renovations (costing $20,000+) starting four years after the law's effective date, with immediate implementation for new buildings. The bill defines "public buildings" as those serving 1,500+ people daily (e.g., convention centers, movie theaters over 40,000 sq ft) and "health care facilities" as hospitals, nursing homes, or hospices.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Pennsylvania's Department of Human Services to establish a dental benefit package for medical assistance recipients aged 21 and older by 2025-2026. It mandates that the dental coverage must maintain all existing services provided before 2011 and cannot remove any current benefits, though it may add new coverages. The department must seek federal approval via a waiver or State plan amendment to implement this dental coverage. The bill also requires the department to publish notices in the Pennsylvania Bulletin detailing the benefit package, which will remain in effect until updated by regulation.

Maddy summarySB 856, the Electronic Waste Recycling Modernization Act, creates a statewide system for recycling household electronics like computers, monitors, TVs, and printers. It requires manufacturers to pay an "eco-fee" on new device sales, which funds collection, transportation, and recycling through a state-managed clearinghouse. The bill sets minimum collection site requirements for communities, mandates manufacturer stewardship plans, and establishes an advisory committee to oversee implementation. Penalties apply for failing to meet recycling obligations or environmental standards. This directly affects electronics manufacturers, local governments handling collection, and consumers through the added fee on new devices.

Maddy summarySB 861 amends Pennsylvania's vehicle code to establish definitions and rules for electronic driver's licenses. It defines terms like "electronic driver's license" (an electronic version viewable on phones/tablets) and specifies that these electronic licenses are legally equivalent to physical licenses, except for certain sections on carrying licenses on demand. The bill allows the Department of Transportation to issue electronic licenses via smartphone apps or other devices, requires data to match physical licenses and update within 30 days, and permits third-party systems (like digital wallets) to host these licenses under confidentiality agreements. It directly affects drivers who choose to use electronic licenses instead of physical ones.

Maddy summarySB 506 establishes Pennsylvania's Child Care Staff Recruitment and Retention Program within the Human Services Code. It provides qualified child care providers (like certified centers, family homes, or children's institutions with active subsidy agreements) with annual lump-sum payments to fund retention bonuses ($1,000 max per staff member) and recruitment bonuses ($1,000 max per new hire) for staff who directly supervise children. The program requires providers to apply within 45 days of posting, prohibits using funds to replace existing wages, and mandates annual reporting to the legislature on payments, locations, and applications. Providers must use funds strictly for staff bonuses within the fiscal year and maintain records for audits.

Maddy summarySB 870 amends Pennsylvania's military education programs to clarify eligibility and repayment rules for National Guard members and their families. It updates the definition of "approved program of education" to include more training options and refines eligibility criteria, such as requiring six years of service for full-time grants and adding specific rules for members discharged due to service-connected disabilities. The bill also revises recoupment (repayment) procedures, allowing proportional repayment if service obligations aren't met and expanding forgiveness for certain circumstances like medical discharge. These changes directly affect Pennsylvania National Guard members and their families using the Educational Assistance Program and Military Family Education Program. The bill focuses on streamlining program administration without altering benefit amounts or funding.

Maddy summarySB 853 creates a tax credit for small Pennsylvania businesses (with 50 or fewer full-time equivalent employees) affected by minimum wage increases. It allows employers to claim a credit equal to 50% of the wage increase cost in the first year after a minimum wage hike, and 25% in the second year, against their state tax liability. Unused credit can be carried over for up to three years but cannot be refunded or carried back. Pass-through businesses may also transfer unused credits to owners in proportion to their share of business income.

Maddy summarySB 823 allocates $2 million annually from Pennsylvania's State Gaming Fund to local law enforcement agencies for investigating and enforcing laws related to unlawful gambling. The funding specifically covers violations of gambling statutes (18 Pa.C.S. § 5513) and related offenses like animal fighting (18 Pa.C.S. §§ 5543-5544). This includes Pennsylvania State Police when providing primary police coverage in municipalities without their own police departments. The bill amends existing law to formalize these grant provisions and takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summarySB 796 increases the tax on motor vehicle leases from 3% to 5% of the lease price and raises the fee for renting a motor vehicle from $2 to $6.50 per day. Revenue from these fees will fund Pennsylvania’s Public Transportation Assistance Fund, which supports public transportation services statewide. The bill affects vehicle lessees and renters, including those using carsharing services, though carsharing rentals of less than 6 hours will have lower fees (ranging from $0.25 to $1.25). The changes take effect immediately upon passage.