Rep. Bryan Cutler

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's human trafficking laws to explicitly criminalize the act of helping undocumented immigrants enter or stay in the state in violation of federal law. It defines the offense as encouraging or inducing an undocumented immigrant to remain by concealing, harboring, or shielding them from detection. The legislation establishes this as a third-degree felony, but upgrades it to a more serious second-degree felony if the actions endanger the immigrant's life, involve a minor, or subject them to labor or sexual servitude.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania bill requires individuals who become sponsors for unaccompanied alien children to undergo background checks before they can legally represent those children in legal proceedings. The law mandates that sponsors submit background check information to the Department of Human Services within 30 days of taking on the role and prohibits any sponsor from representing a child if they have not completed this check or would have been denied employment due to criminal history. By adding a new chapter to the state's domestic relations statutes, the legislation aims to ensure that adults advocating for these minors have been vetted for safety concerns prior to interacting with them in official settings.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Grant Recipient Employee Verification Act, requires businesses in Pennsylvania that receive state grants to verify the work authorization status of their employees using the federal E-Verify system. It prohibits these employers from knowingly hiring individuals who are not legally allowed to work in the United States and mandates that they keep records of these verifications for the duration of employment or three years, whichever is longer. The Department of Labor and Industry will be tasked with investigating complaints about violations, which includes the power to inspect business records and interview employees. Employers who fail to comply with these new verification requirements face potential penalties, while individuals filing false complaints could face criminal charges.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires hotels and motels in Pennsylvania with at least 150 guest rooms to verify the work authorization status of their employees using the federal E-Verify system. Under the new rules, these employers are prohibited from knowingly hiring individuals who lack the legal right to work in the United States and must keep records of these verifications for the duration of employment or three years, whichever is longer. The Department of Labor and Industry will be tasked with creating a complaint form for reporting violations and will gain the authority to inspect business records and interview staff to ensure compliance. Penalties for knowingly employing unauthorized workers or providing false information on complaint forms are also established within the legislation.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires hospitals licensed in Pennsylvania to report the number of admissions and emergency visits made by individuals defined as illegal migrants. Hospitals must submit these figures annually to the state Department of Health, which will then publish a public report detailing the total costs of uncompensated care and its impact on hospital funding. The compiled data will also be shared with state legislative leaders and committee chairs to inform policy discussions. Ultimately, the legislation aims to increase transparency regarding the financial burden of providing care to undocumented immigrants within the state's healthcare system.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania bill updates vehicle laws to clarify that driver's licenses issued to undocumented immigrants in other states are invalid within the state. It requires all drivers to carry their license when requested by law enforcement and establishes specific penalties for driving without a valid license, including higher fines and potential jail time for repeat offenders. Additionally, the legislation introduces new criminal charges for causing homicide or aggravated assault while operating a vehicle, with enhanced penalties if the driver is under the influence. The bill also expands the types of vehicles subject to impoundment for unpaid fines and clarifies which nonresidents are exempt from needing a Pennsylvania license.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires employers in Pennsylvania's meat packing and food preparation industries to verify the work authorization status of their employees using the federal E-Verify system. It specifically targets businesses with 100 or more workers at a single facility and mandates that staffing agencies supplying workers to these industries also comply with verification rules. Under the law, employers must keep records of these verifications for the duration of employment or three years, whichever is longer. The Department of Labor and Industry will be empowered to investigate complaints, inspect business records, and enforce penalties against employers who knowingly hire unauthorized workers.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Cancer Drug Repository Program Act to clarify definitions and expand the program's scope. It adds specific legal definitions for manufacturers and wholesale distributors and allows approved pharmacies to accept unused prescription drugs from state medical assistance programs for dispensing to patients. The legislation also updates the list of eligible entities that can return or donate drugs to the repository and requires the creation of a list of participating pharmacies. Additionally, the bill includes provisions for program fees, storage regulations, and immunity for participants.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows grandparents and great-grandparents in Pennsylvania to seek partial or supervised physical custody of their grandchildren under specific circumstances. It grants standing to these relatives when a parent has died, when the child has lived with the grandparent for at least 12 months before being removed by the parents, or when the parents are in custody proceedings and disagree about the grandparent's role. The law also permits grandparents to file for custody if neither parent has care of the child or if a parent has supervised physical custody, provided the grandparent has shown a sustained interest in the child's welfare. This legislation directly affects families navigating child custody disputes by expanding the legal options available to extended family members.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House resolution establishes a select committee to investigate the security failures at the July 13, 2024, rally in Butler where a gunman targeted former President Trump. The committee will examine how federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies coordinated their response and will propose best practices for protecting public figures at future events. Authorized to subpoena witnesses and documents, the six-member panel must submit its findings and recommendations to the House by November 30, 2024.