Rep. Mark Gillen

Maddy summaryHB 997 updates Pennsylvania's data breach notification law, requiring businesses to notify affected individuals more clearly and promptly after a security breach involving personal information. It directly affects businesses that collect or store personal data, such as healthcare providers, retailers, and financial institutions. Key changes include modernizing definitions of personal information, clarifying when notification is required, adding new security protections, and repealing outdated civil relief provisions. The bill also removes certain exemptions that previously allowed businesses to delay or avoid notifying individuals about breaches.

Maddy summaryHB 1608 would change how Pennsylvania awards transportation infrastructure projects by allowing state agencies to use a "design build best value" approach instead of solely selecting the lowest bid. This means projects could be awarded based on a combination of cost, technical quality, and project timeline, rather than just the cheapest proposal. The bill directly affects state transportation projects (like roads and bridges) and the contractors bidding on them. It is currently pending final approval after passing third consideration in the legislature.

Maddy summaryThis resolution directs Pennsylvania's Joint State Government Commission to study whether a senior military college could be established at the soon-to-close Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus. The study would examine feasibility factors like infrastructure, costs, and educational needs, with findings to be reported to the state legislature. This action directly affects the campus's future use and state education planning decisions.

Maddy summaryHB 1911 amends Pennsylvania's criminal code to require individuals who commit "swatting" to pay for the costs incurred by law enforcement responding to their false emergency reports. It directly affects people who intentionally make false reports to trigger a police SWAT response at someone else's home. The key provision establishes that perpetrators must reimburse law enforcement agencies for the actual expenses of the response, including officer time and equipment. This bill focuses on holding swatting offenders financially accountable for the resources they waste.

Maddy summaryHB 1912 would create a new criminal offense in Pennsylvania for "swatting," defined as making a false emergency report to law enforcement to provoke a high-risk police response (like sending a SWAT team) at a victim's location. The bill directly affects individuals who intentionally submit false reports for the purpose of causing fear, harm, or disruption to others. It amends Pennsylvania’s criminal code (Title 18) to specifically address swatting under the section on falsification and intimidation. This would provide a clear legal standard for prosecuting such acts, which currently may not be adequately covered under existing laws.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates September 2025 as "Suicide Prevention Awareness Month" and September 10, 2025, as "World Suicide Prevention Day" within Pennsylvania. It serves as a symbolic recognition by the state legislature to highlight suicide prevention efforts and raise public awareness during these designated periods. The resolution does not create new programs, funding, or legal requirements; it is a formal declaration to support existing community and organizational initiatives. Pennsylvania residents and local suicide prevention groups are the direct audience for this recognition.

Maddy summaryHR 281 is a procedural resolution that forces the House Committee on Education to stop considering Senate Bill 9. It discharges the committee after 15 legislative days (since May 7, 2025) passed without the committee reporting the bill to the full House. This resolution does not change the content of Senate Bill 9; it only allows the full House to vote on the bill directly. The resolution itself is purely procedural and does not affect any policy or specific group of people.

Maddy summaryThe provided context does not include the specific provisions, key mechanisms, or concrete policy changes of HB 1889. The bill's title references an amendment to the Public School Code of 1949 regarding "pupils and attendance," but no details about what the amendment actually does or who it affects are given. Without the actual text or explanatory summary of the bill's content, a factual summary cannot be created. The referral to the Education committee indicates it relates to school attendance policies, but no specific changes are described.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates October 3, 2025, as "Manufacturing Day" within Pennsylvania. It is a symbolic recognition effort, not a law with legal requirements or direct impact on individuals or businesses. The resolution aims to highlight the importance of the manufacturing sector in Pennsylvania's economy. It has been referred to the Labor & Industry committee for further consideration.

Maddy summaryHR 320 is a procedural resolution directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to study how the Department of Transportation manages and implements modernization practices. It requires the committee to produce a report on the current status of these practices within the DOT. This resolution does not create new laws or directly affect citizens; it only initiates a study to assess existing DOT operations. The committee will examine current methods for updating transportation systems, infrastructure, and technology. The bill was referred to the Transportation committee on September 22, 2025.