Sen. Nikil Saval

Maddy summaryPennsylvania Senate Bill 1440 requires ambulances and Quick Response System vehicles to display a visible QR code in the patient care area. This code must link to a digital resource containing emergency airway management protocols for laryngectomy patients, visual guides for identifying stomas, and contact information for regional medical support. Emergency medical services agencies are responsible for keeping these codes functional and accessible without requiring login credentials. The state department of health must establish specific standards for the content, placement, and training related to these codes within 180 days of the bill's effective date.

Maddy summaryPennsylvania Senate Bill 1430 amends state criminal law to allow owners, operators, and employees of health care facilities to use nonviolent means to deny entry to law enforcement officers on their premises. This protection applies unless the officer can demonstrate probable cause that a specific individual is present and physically possesses a judicial warrant clearly identifying that person as the subject of the order. The bill defines key terms such as "health care facility" and "judicial warrant," limiting the scope of this exception to written orders from federal or state courts. If enacted, the law would take effect 60 days after its passage.

Maddy summaryPennsylvania Senate Bill 1420 amends state vehicle laws to allow bicyclists to treat stop signs as yield signs and permits specific maneuvers at red lights. Under the new rules, a cyclist may proceed through an intersection on a steady red light after coming to a complete stop and yielding to pedestrians and other traffic. The bill also allows cyclists to make right turns on red without stopping if they slow down and yield, or left turns onto one-way streets after stopping. These changes apply to all persons operating pedalcycles on public highways and take effect 60 days after the act is signed.

Maddy summaryPennsylvania Senate Bill 1425 establishes a five-year pilot program in Philadelphia that requires law enforcement to directly notify all registered motor vehicle repair facilities when a hit-and-run accident results in serious injury or death. The bill mandates that commercial garages and shops register with the city to receive these alerts, which include specific details such as the vehicle's make, model, color, license plate number, and extent of damage. If a repair facility discovers a vehicle in its possession that matches the description in an alert, the owner or operator must report it to law enforcement within 72 hours. Failure to comply with this reporting requirement is punishable by a third-degree misdemeanor, and the city must submit annual reports to state agencies detailing the program's costs and activity.

Maddy summaryThis resolution honors the life of former State Senator Shirley M. Kitchen and expresses condolences on her passing. It recognizes her career as a social worker, activist, and legislator who served Philadelphia for 20 years, focusing on health care and affordable housing. The document outlines her personal background and public service achievements, including her role as the leader of the 20th Ward Democratic Executive Committee. By formally acknowledging her contributions, the Senate pays tribute to her legacy of community advocacy.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's Municipalities Planning Code to clarify definitions and streamline zoning rules for local governments. It mandates that municipalities allow accessory dwelling units, such as secondary living spaces on existing lots, in all areas where single-family homes are permitted. The legislation requires these units to be approved automatically within 14 days without a public hearing, provided they meet specific size and location criteria. Additionally, the bill ensures that no-impact home-based businesses are allowed by right in residential zones, subject to existing private land restrictions.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Pennsylvania's parole laws to protect the confidentiality of internal decision-making records used by the Board of Probation and Parole. It mandates that these materials remain privileged and cannot be subpoenaed, used as evidence in court, or shared with the incarcerated individuals involved. At the same time, the bill requires the board to provide written explanations for both granting and denying parole, along with specific guidance on how to improve future eligibility. These changes aim to balance transparency for the public with the protection of sensitive review processes.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Pennsylvania Robotics Team Support Grant Program to provide financial assistance to K-12 school districts and intermediate units for their robotics teams. The program establishes a dedicated fund that will be initially seeded with $2.5 million from the state, along with future contributions and interest earnings. To qualify for grants, eligible applicants must demonstrate partnerships with local businesses or educational institutions, secure a 25% local match for the funding, and participate in both virtual and in-person robotics competitions. Awarded funds can be used for coaching stipends capped at $1,500 per school building, competition travel and materials, and bonuses for teams advancing to higher competition levels, with a maximum grant limit of $10,000 per team per year. The Department of Education will manage the application process and publish annual reports on grant usage and recipient information.

Maddy summarySB 1409 amends Pennsylvania's Insurance Company Law to establish specific rules for how health insurers handle mental health treatments. The bill creates new definitions for "behavioral health crisis" and "serious mental illness," which includes conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression. Under these new rules, insurers can only require patients to try one alternative drug before approving a prescribed medication for serious mental illnesses, and they cannot require prior authorization or step therapy for drugs used during a behavioral health crisis if those drugs are FDA-approved and evidence-based. These changes will apply to new insurance policies starting January 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law to explicitly ban "surveillance pricing," which is defined as setting customized prices for goods or services based on personal data gathered through technology like cameras, sensors, or third-party purchases. The legislation prohibits businesses from using such data to charge different prices to specific consumers unless they can prove the price difference is due to varying costs, public discounts available to broad groups like seniors or students, loyalty program rewards, or credit decisions based on standard credit reports. In addition to banning this practice, the bill increases civil penalties for violations to up to $3,000 per incident and allows individual consumers who suffer financial loss from these pricing tactics to file private lawsuits for damages.