Rep. Robert Leadbeter

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's budget rules by requiring the state to submit a seven-year financial plan to the General Assembly. The new requirement mandates that the budget include actual spending from the previous year, current available funds, the proposed budget for the next year, and estimated accounts for the following four years. This change directly affects how the executive branch prepares and presents financial information to lawmakers. The law will become active 60 days after it is signed.

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 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 Pennsylvania House resolution designates November 7, 2024, as "Victims of Communism Memorial Day" to honor individuals who suffered under communist regimes. The measure does not create new laws or alter government operations but serves as a symbolic gesture to raise awareness about the history and impact of communism. By officially naming this date, the bill directs the state's House of Representatives to post the designation on its website and send a copy to the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Liquor Code to allow breweries and limited distilleries to operate at the same physical location under a single entity. The key provision permits one business to hold both a brewery license and a limited distillery license, provided the manufacturing areas for each are clearly marked and may overlap. Both licenses must adhere to their specific operating hours, and any violations at the shared site can result in citations against one or both licenses. Additionally, businesses operating both types of licenses that serve alcohol on-site will be counted as a single entity when calculating state-mandated ratios.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows minors who are family members of active-duty military personnel to receive credit for driving experience gained in other states when applying for a Pennsylvania driver's license. Specifically, it permits these minors to count the time they held a learner's permit and the hours of practical driving completed elsewhere toward the state's requirements, provided they now live with the service member in Pennsylvania. The law applies to minors under 18 seeking a junior driver's license, including those wanting to operate a motorcycle. The changes take effect 60 days after the bill is passed.