Rep. Stephenie Scialabba

Maddy summaryHB 259 amends Pennsylvania's definition of "child sexual abuse material" in Title 18 to clarify what constitutes illegal content. It adds specific criteria for material involving children under 18, including depictions of lewd exhibition of genitals (if patently offensive), material appealing to prurient interest under community standards, and material lacking serious literary or educational value. This change directly affects law enforcement and prosecutors who identify and prosecute violations of child sexual abuse laws. The bill updates existing legal language without creating new penalties, effective 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 256 exempts transfers of funds from qualified tuition programs (like 529 college savings plans) from Pennsylvania's inheritance tax when moved to the designated beneficiary or their parent/guardian if the beneficiary is under 18. It uses federal definitions from the Internal Revenue Code (Section 529) to define "qualified tuition program" and "designated beneficiary." The change applies to estates of people who died after November 6, 2023. This policy directly affects families using these education savings programs by removing an inheritance tax burden on transferred funds.

Maddy summaryHB 248 requires Pennsylvania public schools to provide parents or legal guardians with specific information about student clubs and organizations (including mission, activities, faculty advisor, and meeting details) at least two weeks before participation begins. Schools must obtain written parental permission for students to join any club or organization, and parents may withdraw permission at any time in writing. The bill mandates that consent forms be simple and accessible, prohibiting schools from making withdrawal more difficult than granting permission. This applies to all school-sponsored clubs, including cheerleading, band, and chorus, directly affecting parents, students, and school boards under the Public School Code.

Maddy summaryHB 130 proposes a constitutional amendment requiring Pennsylvania to fund public education by allocating state resources directly to individual students, allowing them to attend schools that meet their needs. This would shift funding from the current district-based system to a per-student allocation model, mandating that education spending follow students to their chosen schools. The amendment also requires the state to maintain a thorough and efficient public education system. It would directly affect all public school students and the state's education funding structure.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes the requirement for non-motorized boats (like kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards) to obtain permits or register when used in Pennsylvania state parks, forests, or public waters. It specifically prohibits state agencies from creating new rules for these vessels, affecting all owners of non-motorized watercraft using state-managed areas. The change modifies existing boating regulations under Pennsylvania's Fish Code to eliminate administrative burdens for non-motorized boaters. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 120 requires parental or guardian consent for most minors to receive vaccines in Pennsylvania. Specifically, it mandates that individuals under 18 who haven't graduated high school, aren't pregnant, and aren't legally emancipated cannot consent to vaccines without a parent or guardian's permission. The bill also overrides any local laws (such as city or county rules) that might allow minors to consent to vaccines without parental approval, making those local rules invalid. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 56 amends Pennsylvania's terroristic threats law (Title 18, §2706) to increase penalties for certain threats. It reclassifies specific terroristic threats as felonies of the third degree instead of misdemeanors if they cause diversion from normal operations (e.g., in buildings or public transit) or target protected locations like schools, churches, government buildings, or community centers. The bill directly affects individuals who make threats against these specific places or disrupt public activities. The key change is upgrading the offense severity for threats against vulnerable locations or causing operational disruptions, without altering the basic definition of terroristic threats.

Maddy summaryHB 110 amends Pennsylvania's 1970 law to allow minors aged 18 or older to consent independently to mental health treatment without parental permission, raising the age from 14. It also clarifies that minors aged 18+ control their mental health treatment records, while parents or legal guardians retain full access to all medical, dental, and health records for minors under 18. The bill includes provisions for minors to revoke consent for treatment and requires court review if a minor objects to continued inpatient care. These changes directly affect minors seeking mental health services and their parents, streamlining consent processes while balancing minor autonomy with parental access.

Maddy summaryHB 94 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to allow parents or guardians of school-aged children to opt their child out of school-imposed face covering or mask requirements. This applies when masks are required due to health department mandates (like those under the Disease Prevention and Control Law) or school board policies. Schools must provide a simple online opt-out form without requiring an excuse and must prohibit discrimination against students who opt out, including exclusion from activities or locations. The bill directly affects parents, guardians, and schools in Pennsylvania, changing how mask mandates are implemented in educational settings.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Administrative Code to establish a new set of rules governing how state agencies process permit applications. It creates a strict 30-day deadline for agencies to either approve or deny requests for permits, renewals, or modifications, and it mandates that incomplete applications be returned to applicants within 10 days with a specific list of missing information. To prevent delays, the law includes a provision where an application is automatically deemed approved if the agency fails to act within the statutory timeframe or if the applicant submits a sworn affidavit confirming that all legal requirements have been met. These changes apply to various regulated activities but explicitly exclude personal licenses issued to individuals by professional boards.