Rep. Mark Gillen

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 128 adds an explicit exemption for emergency service personnel (such as firefighters and EMTs) from jury duty in Pennsylvania's judicial code. The bill amends Section 4503(a)(9) of Title 42 to allow these workers to request excusal from jury service. This change directly affects emergency service personnel who seek to avoid jury duty due to job responsibilities. The exemption requires personnel to formally request excusal but does not automatically exempt them. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 126 amends Pennsylvania's Election Code to update the affidavit candidates must file with their nomination petitions for public office. It requires candidates to affirm their residence, eligibility, and that they are not running for multiple offices in the same election, while also confirming compliance with election laws and campaign finance rules. For party positions like delegates or committee members, the affidavit must state party membership and that the candidate isn't seeking the same office through multiple parties. This applies to all candidates for state, county, city, and local offices, except presidential candidates who only need to provide a mailing address in their petition.

Maddy summaryHB 182 designates Bridge Key 8377 on Pennsylvania Route 53 over Bear Rock Run in Lilly Borough, Cambria County, as the Corporal James D. Sloan Memorial Bridge. The bill requires the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to install and maintain signs on the bridge, based on the General Assembly's findings that Corporal James D. Sloan, a Marine Corps veteran who died by suicide in 1971 due to post-traumatic stress disorder after serving in the Vietnam War, received multiple military medals including the Purple Heart and Combat Action Medal. This is a naming resolution with no direct policy changes or affected populations beyond the bridge signage.

Maddy summaryHB 164 requires health care facilities in Pennsylvania to handle fetal remains (from a fetal death) through cremation or burial per existing vital records rules, without needing a name on permits. Parents must cover costs if they choose a disposal location outside the facility’s usual practice, but facilities must provide disposition services if parents don’t claim remains. The bill ensures parent information remains confidential and clarifies that facilities aren’t required to issue stillbirth certificates. It does not change the definition of fetal death or mandate cremation/burial unless requested by the parent.

Maddy summaryHB 196 amends Pennsylvania's Election Code to increase the number of valid signatures required on nomination petitions for school director candidates in primary elections, from 10 to 100. This change directly affects candidates seeking nomination for school board positions within their political party. The bill modifies Section 912.1(35) of the Election Code to mandate these 100 signatures from registered and enrolled party members. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 188 amends Pennsylvania vehicle laws to allow tow trucks to transport emergency vehicles (specifically, a truck tractor with up to two trailers) without being restricted by standard length and weight limits. This exception applies only when towing for emergency service and directed by authorized personnel to a repair location, ensuring faster response during breakdowns. The bill directly affects tow truck operators by providing a clear legal pathway for emergency towing and benefits the public by reducing delays in critical situations. The changes take effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 189 amends Pennsylvania's vehicle registration law to exempt multipurpose agricultural vehicles from registration requirements. This change directly affects farmers who use such vehicles exclusively on their own farms or on highways connecting parts of a single farm or between two farms within 10 miles of each other. The bill specifies that these vehicles cannot be used for general public road travel outside of farm-related activities. The exemption applies only to vehicles owned or operated by the farm owner, not to commercial or non-agricultural vehicles. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 168 amends Pennsylvania's Taxpayer Relief Act to update the definition of "income" for senior citizens' property tax and rent rebate eligibility. It adds a provision allowing seniors who were eligible for these rebates as of December 31, 2018, to retain benefits if household income temporarily exceeds limits solely due to Social Security cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs). This replaces a previous temporary rule that expired in 2016 for seniors eligible as of December 31, 2012. The bill directly affects Pennsylvania seniors receiving property tax or rent rebates who experience automatic income increases from Social Security COLAs.

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.