Rep. Mark Gillen

Maddy summaryThis bill allows grandparents and great-grandparents in Pennsylvania to seek partial or supervised physical custody of their grandchildren under specific circumstances. It grants standing to these relatives when a parent has died, when the child has lived with the grandparent for at least 12 months before being removed by the parents, or when the parents are in custody proceedings and disagree about the grandparent's role. The law also permits grandparents to file for custody if neither parent has care of the child or if a parent has supervised physical custody, provided the grandparent has shown a sustained interest in the child's welfare. This legislation directly affects families navigating child custody disputes by expanding the legal options available to extended family members.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to identify and maintain a list of run-of-the-river dams across the state. Owners and permittees of these specific dams must mark the areas above, below, and adjacent to the structures with signs and buoys to warn swimmers, anglers, and boaters about potential hazards. The legislation also mandates that the department publish this list and a map of dam locations on its website, while owners are responsible for repairing or replacing any damaged or removed warning markers within 30 days.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's military affairs laws to update the list of partners involved in the state's veterans outreach programs. Specifically, it replaces the term "county directors" with "veteran and community outreach partners" who work under the PA VETConnect Program or other department-administered initiatives. The change aims to broaden the scope of recognized collaborators in community engagement efforts for veterans. This legislative update is an editorial adjustment to the existing statutes rather than a new policy initiative.

Maddy summaryHB 2064 amends the Older Adults Protective Services Act to update how financial institutions handle accounts for older adults. The bill removes specific language regarding beneficiaries and adjusts numerical limits on account protections from fifteen to seven. These changes directly affect banks and other financial entities by modifying the rules they must follow when managing funds for elderly clients.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania vehicle registration laws to create special license plates for specific groups, including recipients of the Expeditionary Forces Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, and the Borinqueneers Congressional Gold Medal. It also establishes new motorcycle plates for veterans, women veterans, and individuals honoring veterans, while updating the requirements for a Distracted Driving Awareness plate. To obtain these plates, eligible individuals must apply and pay an additional fee ranging from $20 to $41, with some funds designated for the Veterans' Trust Fund. The legislation applies to passenger vehicles under 14,000 pounds for the medal recipients and is restricted to motorcycles for the veteran-related plate designs.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's driver licensing laws to better support minors and homeless youth. For minors, it requires a signed certification from a parent or guardian confirming that the driver has completed 65 hours of supervised practice, including specific amounts of night and bad weather driving, before taking their license test. The legislation also allows homeless children and youth to use temporary addresses like schools or shelters when applying for licenses and exempts them from paying the associated fees. Additionally, it clarifies that the adults who sign these certifications are not legally liable for the minor's driving behavior.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania bill establishes a new program to manage the collection and recycling of portable batteries, directly affecting manufacturers and retailers who sell these products in the state. It requires producers to create Battery Stewardship Plans that outline how they will collect used batteries, fund recycling efforts, and educate the public on proper disposal methods. The legislation defines specific battery types that must be included in the program, such as small rechargeable and primary batteries, while excluding larger batteries used in electric vehicles or solar power systems. Additionally, the bill mandates that the Department of Environmental Protection oversee the program, enforce performance standards, and impose penalties on those who fail to comply with the new rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates a specific bridge in Bucks County as the Ensign Sarah Mitchell Memorial Bridge to honor a local woman who died in the line of duty while serving in the U.S. Navy. The legislation officially names the structure, which carries Pennsylvania Route 213 over Neshaminy Creek, after Ensign Sarah Joy Mitchell, a 2018 graduate of Neshaminy High School who passed away in 2018. To implement this change, the bill requires the Department of Transportation to install and maintain signs displaying the new name for traffic traveling in both directions. The act is set to take effect 60 days after being signed into law.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Pennsylvania public utilities to provide customers with clear instructions on how to submit comments regarding proposed rate changes or system acquisitions. Under the new rules, the Public Utility Commission must accept these consumer comments via mail or through an accessible online platform. The legislation aims to streamline the process for utility customers to participate in regulatory decisions affecting their services. It applies to all public utilities operating in the state and will become effective 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires gas stations in Pennsylvania to display a clear label on their fuel pumps showing the specific amounts of federal and state taxes included in the price of gasoline and diesel. The law mandates that the Department of Agriculture design and maintain these labels, which must list the individual tax rates and their combined totals, while ensuring the state covers the cost of producing and replacing the stickers. Retailers are exempt from the responsibility of affixing or maintaining these labels, and the state must update the displayed tax rates within 60 days of any changes.