Rep. Mark Gillen

Maddy summaryThis bill directs Pennsylvania's Human Services department to apply for a federal waiver that would allow SNAP and WIC benefit recipients to use their funds to buy diapers or menstrual hygiene products. The legislation authorizes the department to adopt necessary rules once the USDA approves the waiver, ensuring the state can participate in this potential program change. It does not immediately change how benefits are used but establishes the legal framework to implement such a waiver if federal approval is granted.

Maddy summaryThis law updates Pennsylvania's vehicle removal rules specifically for cities of the first class, such as Philadelphia. It requires towing agents to take digital photos of a vehicle's license plate, the specific violation, and any relevant parking signs before removing the car. Owners or lienholders can request a free printed copy of these photos when they go to claim their vehicle, and the towing company must keep the images for at least 60 days. Local parking authorities are tasked with creating regulations to enforce these new photo requirements and may impose penalties on agents who fail to comply.

Maddy summaryThis resolution officially designates the week of July 15 through 24, 2024, as "Butler County Can-Am Games Week" in Pennsylvania. The measure honors first responders by recognizing the upcoming Can-Am Police-Fire Games, a competition that brings together emergency personnel from across North America. It specifically acknowledges Butler County's role as the host location for these events, which have not been held on the East Coast in over 40 years.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania bill requires school districts to print a 24/7 accessible suicide prevention hotline number on student identification cards for grades six through twelve. It also mandates that school safety coordinators ensure the same hotline number is prominently displayed on school websites and in the offices of counselors, principals, and administrators. These changes aim to make mental health resources more visible and accessible to students and staff within the school environment.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania law to update the fee for issuing Operation Inherent Resolve veteran license plates from $23 to $26. It also extends the expiration date for these special plates from 60 days to 120 days after issuance. The changes directly affect veterans who have served in Operation Inherent Resolve and wish to obtain these designated vehicle registrations.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania laws regarding inheritance to prevent individuals who kill others or commit elder abuse from profiting from their crimes. It specifically bars people convicted of murdering a victim or abusing an elderly person from receiving any property, benefits, or inheritance that would normally pass to them. The legislation treats these individuals as if they died before the victim for the purpose of distributing assets, while also defining specific rules for how shared property like joint accounts or tenancies are handled in these cases. By amending the state's decedents, estates, and fiduciaries statutes, the law ensures that assets left by victims go to their rightful heirs rather than to those who harmed them.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires private health insurers and state-managed health plans to cover biomarker testing when it is used to diagnose, treat, or monitor a specific disease or condition. The legislation defines biomarker testing as the analysis of tissue, blood, or other biological samples to identify indicators of biological processes, while explicitly excluding coverage for general screening purposes. Coverage for these tests must follow the same rules as other medical services, including standard cost-sharing and medical necessity reviews, and the changes will take effect 180 days after the bill is signed.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands tenant protections under the Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951 to provide stronger rights when tenants or their immediate family members are victims of violence. It broadens the definition of who qualifies as an immediate family or household member to include a wider range of relatives and partners, and it extends coverage to victims who live within 1,000 feet of the tenant's home or who were killed in a violent act. The legislation also allows tenants to request a temporary relocation from their rental unit if they have suffered physical or mental injury due to a violent crime, provided they submit specific documentation such as a restraining order, a police report, or a medical letter. Additionally, the bill reduces the time a landlord has to respond to such requests from 180 days to 120 days and clarifies the types of evidence tenants must provide to support their claims.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how the director of the Pennsylvania Game Commission is appointed, shifting the power from the commission itself to the Governor. Under the new rules, the Governor would select the director for a two-year term with the approval of the state Senate, while current or recent commission members would be ineligible for the role. The changes take effect on January 1, 2025, and are part of a broader legislative effort to reorganize and increase accountability within the commission.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Pennsylvania's laws on obstructing governmental operations by updating the definition of resisting arrest. It classifies the act as a second-degree misdemeanor when someone intentionally creates a risk of bodily injury to a public servant or uses force to overcome resistance during a lawful arrest or duty. The legislation directly affects individuals who confront law enforcement officers and aims to clarify the specific actions that constitute this offense. The changes will become effective 60 days after the bill is signed into law.