Maddy summaryPennsylvania Senate Resolution 359 designates September 2026 as "Veteran Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month" to highlight the elevated suicide rates among military veterans in the state. The resolution cites specific statistics, noting that nearly 250 Pennsylvania veterans die by suicide annually and that female veterans face a significantly higher risk than their male counterparts. It acknowledges contributing factors such as post-traumatic stress disorder, unemployment, and difficulties reintegrating into civilian life. Additionally, the bill expresses support for the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and its ongoing initiatives to provide resources and education on suicide prevention for veterans and their families.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryPennsylvania Senate Bill 1438 authorizes the state to issue a special "Green Star Family" license plate to family members of veterans who died by suicide related to their military service. To qualify, the veteran must have been discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable, and the applicant must be a specific relative such as a spouse, parent, child, sibling, or foster parent. The special plate is available for passenger cars and trucks with a registered gross weight of 14,000 pounds or less, requiring a $28 fee in addition to standard registration costs.
Maddy summaryPennsylvania Senate Bill 1439 tightens oversight of the state's health insurance exchange by requiring insurers to provide documentary proof of residency and legal status for every enrollee. The bill mandates that the exchange authority respond to insurer requests to cancel policies within one business day and make a final decision within five business days. Additionally, it requires the creation of an Office of Fraud Prevention within 180 days to investigate complaints, standardize reporting forms, and ensure staff receive annual anti-fraud training. The exchange authority must also submit an annual report to state legislators detailing fraud statistics, financial impacts, and implemented procedures.
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 summaryThis Pennsylvania Senate resolution formally designates September 2026 as "National Preparedness Month" within the state. It encourages residents to take proactive steps for disaster readiness, such as creating family evacuation plans, maintaining essential supplies, and reviewing insurance coverage. The measure also aims to recognize the contributions of emergency managers, first responders, and organizations dedicated to protecting lives and property during crises.
Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania Senate Resolution designates September 28, 2026, as "Green Star Veterans and Families Day" to honor veterans who died by suicide in connection with their military service. The bill formally recognizes the Green Star Service Banner as a symbol of remembrance for these individuals. It aims to acknowledge the resilience of the families left behind and raise public awareness about the mental health challenges and suicide crisis affecting veterans.
Maddy summaryPennsylvania Senate Resolution 356 designates the week of August 17 through 23, 2026, as "Social Media Safety and Parental Awareness Week." The resolution cites rising statistics on online child exploitation, including sextortion and the use of artificial intelligence for abuse, to highlight the need for greater vigilance. It encourages educational programming and public awareness efforts aimed at protecting minors from these digital threats as students prepare to return to school.
Maddy summaryPennsylvania Senate Bill 1429 amends state election and vehicle laws to require county election boards to actively maintain voter registration rolls by removing individuals who are deceased, non-citizens, or have moved out of the jurisdiction. The bill mandates that these removals be based on authoritative sources such as death certificates, Social Security Administration records, and data from the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements program, while requiring officials to send notice to voters before canceling their registration to allow for corrections. It also establishes a new annual certification process where county boards must report on their list maintenance activities to the Secretary of the Commonwealth and imposes criminal penalties for intentional failures to perform these official duties. Additionally, the legislation requires the Department of Transportation to share driver license address change data with election officials and mandates a four-year review by the Secretary of the Commonwealth to assess the effectiveness of these new procedures.
Maddy summaryPennsylvania Senate Bill 1427 removes a specific legal protection from the state's vehicle code that previously prevented seat belt and child restraint violations from being used as evidence in civil lawsuits. The bill deletes the provision that barred juries from considering failure to use safety restraints as contributory negligence or admissible evidence in personal injury trials. This change directly affects individuals involved in civil litigation, allowing courts to potentially factor in whether a victim was wearing a seat belt or using a child restraint system when determining liability.
Maddy summaryPennsylvania Senate Bill 1421 authorizes municipalities to install automated cameras in school zones to enforce traffic laws, specifically targeting failures to stop at signs or yield to pedestrians. The bill imposes a $50 fine on the registered vehicle owner rather than the driver, with a mandatory 30-day warning period before fines are issued. It requires that all revenue generated from these fines be reinvested into local road safety projects, such as sidewalk improvements and traffic signal upgrades. Additionally, the legislation mandates strict privacy protections, including the blurring of pedestrian faces in images and prohibiting the use of camera data for general surveillance or sale to third parties.