Sen. John Kane

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's child protective services laws, affecting how county agencies and the state Department of Human Services investigate child abuse and neglect. It grants the Department of Human Services new authority to assist or take over investigations from county agencies if cases are not handled promptly or if assistance is requested. The bill also allows county agencies to contract with private agencies to receive and assess reports of children needing general protective services and to provide those services. These contracted private agencies would be held to the same standards as county personnel and would receive similar legal immunity.

Maddy summarySB 709, known as the Health Care Workplace Violence Prevention Act, mandates that all health facilities in Pennsylvania establish violence prevention committees. These committees, comprised of both management and non-managerial employees, are responsible for conducting risk assessments, developing written workplace violence prevention programs, and providing employee training. The bill also requires employees to report incidents of workplace violence and prohibits retaliation against those who report. The Department of Labor and Industry is granted powers and duties related to these requirements, and the bill imposes fines for non-compliance.

Maddy summaryThis resolution recognizes May 2025 as "Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania. It aims to raise awareness about asthma and allergies, conditions that affect millions of individuals, including many children and adults in the Commonwealth.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 103 aims to raise awareness for apraxia in Pennsylvania, a neurological speech disorder that makes it difficult for children and adults to produce speech sounds. The resolution seeks to highlight the importance of early intervention and strong support systems for those diagnosed with apraxia, while also emphasizing the need for further research into the condition.

Maddy summarySR 104 is a resolution that recognizes May 2025 as "National Mammography Month" in Pennsylvania. It encourages residents, especially those in high-risk groups, to schedule mammography appointments to promote early detection of breast cancer.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 100 designates the week of May 4 through 10, 2025, as "Jewish Day Schools Week" in Pennsylvania. This resolution aims to recognize and express appreciation for Jewish day schools across the Commonwealth.

Maddy summarySB 651 is a joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Pennsylvania Constitution to establish "Workers' rights." This amendment would grant employees the fundamental right to organize and collectively bargain through representatives of their choice regarding wages, hours, working conditions, and workplace safety. It specifies that no law can diminish these rights, including those that prohibit agreements requiring union membership as a condition of employment. If passed by the General Assembly twice, this proposed amendment would then be put before Pennsylvania voters for approval.

Maddy summarySB 717 amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code to adjust sales and use tax exclusions for consumers. The bill updates an existing sales tax exclusion for personal computers, tablets, and related devices with a sales price of up to $1,500 by setting an annual tax-free period from the first to the third Saturday in August. It also creates a new sales tax exclusion for various school supplies, art supplies, and instructional materials, provided each item costs $50 or less. These exclusions apply to individual purchasers for nonbusiness use during the specified August timeframe, effectively establishing an annual sales tax holiday for these items.

Maddy summarySR 83 is a resolution from the Pennsylvania Senate urging the U.S. Congress to adopt three specific federal bills: H.R. 1876, H.R. 1877, and S. 770. These bills are aimed at keeping Social Security field offices open, protecting Americans' Social Security data, and expanding Social Security benefits. The resolution also expresses strong opposition to federal cuts to Social Security benefits and the Social Security Administration's plans to close local offices and reduce staff, advocating for robust staffing and local facilities to serve beneficiaries.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 563 proposes to provide a new supplemental annuity for eligible retirees of both the Pennsylvania Public School Employees' Retirement System and the State Employees' Retirement System. Commencing July 1, 2025, individuals receiving a superannuation, withdrawal, or disability annuity who retired prior to July 2, 2001, will receive an additional monthly payment. The amount of this supplement will be a percentage of their July 1, 2025, monthly annuity, ranging from 10% to 20% based on their original retirement date. The Commonwealth will fund the additional liability for these benefits over a 10-year period, starting July 1, 2025.