Rep. John Schlegel

Maddy summaryPennsylvania's HB 167 increases the amount financial institutions can pay directly to a deceased person's family without probate from $10,000 to $20,000. It requires families to provide a receipted funeral bill or an affidavit from a licensed funeral director to qualify for this payment. The bill affects banks, credit unions, and other savings institutions, which can now pay eligible family members (spouse, children, parents, or siblings) directly. This change eliminates the need for probate court approval for these smaller payments, streamlining the process for families handling final arrangements. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 530 modifies Pennsylvania's criminal codes to adjust penalties for property damage crimes and create a new process for removing trespassers. It reclassifies criminal mischief as a felony if financial damage exceeds $1,000 (for building entry) or $5,000 (for public services), and as a misdemeanor for smaller losses. The bill also establishes a formal procedure allowing property owners to request law enforcement to remove trespassers by submitting a signed affidavit proving the person isn't a tenant, has been asked to leave, and lawful eviction occurred if applicable. This directly affects property owners seeking to remove unauthorized occupants, tenants facing potential unlawful removal, and law enforcement officers handling such requests. The law requires officers to provide individuals removed a chance to prove lawful occupancy and prohibits violations of Pennsylvania's Landlord and Tenant Act.

Maddy summaryHB 521 amends Pennsylvania law to clarify court authority for awarding temporary financial support during divorce proceedings. It allows courts to grant alimony pendente lite (temporary spousal support), reasonable legal fees, and exclusive use of the family home if one spouse lacks sufficient income/resources to cover basic needs and legal costs. The bill specifies courts cannot base these decisions solely on standard support guidelines or the couple's past lifestyle. It directly affects spouses navigating divorce who need immediate financial assistance to cover living expenses and legal representation. The changes take effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 437 proposes a constitutional amendment to Pennsylvania's voting rules, requiring voters to present valid identification at all elections. It mandates that voters show a government-issued ID when voting in person (Section 12) and include proof of ID with mail-in ballots (Section 16). Voters without ID can request a free government-issued ID at the polling place (Section 19). This amendment would directly affect all Pennsylvania voters participating in elections, adding ID verification to existing residency and citizenship requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 418 amends Pennsylvania's County Pension Law to replace the traditional pension system with a "County Employees' Defined Contribution Plan" for county workers. It requires county employees to make mandatory payroll deductions into individual retirement accounts, with counties "picking up" these contributions by reducing employee pay (instead of the county paying them directly). The bill establishes separate tracking for employee and employer contributions, mandates employer-defined contributions to employee accounts, and requires all funds to be held in trust for employees' retirement, subject to IRS limits. This change directly affects all county employees participating in the new plan and shifts retirement funding responsibility to individual accounts rather than guaranteed pension benefits.

Maddy summaryHB 419 creates special vehicle license plates in Pennsylvania for residents who have received specific military commendation or achievement medals. It allows holders of medals like the Army Commendation Medal or Joint Service Achievement Medal to apply for a plate by paying a $26 fee (in addition to regular registration costs). The plates display the specific medal type and its name, and can only be used on passenger cars or light trucks under 14,000 pounds gross weight. This bill directly affects Pennsylvania veterans or military personnel who qualify for these specific medals. The policy change is purely procedural, adding new plate options without altering military benefits or eligibility.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the membership rules for Pennsylvania's State Veterans' Commission to ensure broader representation of different veteran groups. It mandates that the commission include representatives from sixteen specific national veterans' organizations, such as the American Legion and VFW, along with four members appointed by the Governor who must be female or Vietnam-era veterans. The legislation also clarifies the roles of state-level leaders from the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, and Veterans of Foreign Wars as nonvoting members. These changes aim to modernize the commission's composition while maintaining its existing structure under Pennsylvania law.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new defined contribution retirement plan for employees of Pennsylvania counties, shifting the system from a traditional model to one where individual accounts track investment performance. Under the new rules, both employees and their employers must make regular contributions to separate personal accounts, with any investment gains or losses applied directly to those specific accounts. The legislation also introduces a "pickup" provision where the county covers the cost of mandatory employee contributions by reducing the employee's paycheck, while allowing for optional voluntary savings. All funds in the plan are held in a trust managed by the county board, which is responsible for setting plan terms, handling investments, and ensuring compliance with federal tax laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania laws regarding child and spousal support and child custody to promote consistency and clarity in family court decisions. It establishes a statewide guideline for calculating support based primarily on the parents' earning capacities while allowing adjustments for unique financial needs. In custody matters, the legislation defines "equal parenting time" as roughly 50% of time with each parent and creates a rebuttable presumption that this arrangement is in the child's best interest. Courts must explain their reasoning in writing if they decide against equal parenting time, unless the parents agree on a different schedule or one parent does not request equal time.

Maddy summaryPennsylvania House Bill 1684 updates state laws regarding child custody by establishing clearer definitions for terms like "equal parenting time" and "supervised physical custody." The bill introduces a rebuttable presumption that shared physical custody and equal parenting time are in a child's best interest during temporary custody orders, requiring courts to maximize time with each parent unless specific factors suggest otherwise. It also outlines new procedures for obtaining temporary custody orders based on affidavits and agreements, while expanding the list of factors judges must consider, including any criminal convictions of the parents. These changes aim to standardize how courts evaluate custody arrangements and ensure that parenting plans are explicitly detailed in legal orders.