Rep. Mark Gillen

Maddy summaryThis bill amends a House resolution that urges Congress to continue supporting Taiwan and marks the 45th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act. The specific changes remove references to the Organization and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change from the resolution text. These edits refine the language of the commemorative measure without altering its core message of support for Taiwan.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Pennsylvania schools to provide instruction on the Holocaust, genocide, and human rights violations. It mandates that the State Board of Education conduct a study every five years starting in the 2024-2025 school year to assess how widely these topics are taught across the state. Based on the study's findings, the board must create rules requiring all schools to offer this instruction if fewer than 90% of schools are currently doing so. The report generated by this study will be sent to state leaders and include recommendations for improving how the subject is taught.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House Resolution designates October 2024 as "Crime Prevention Month" to raise awareness about crime and safety within the state. The measure encourages residents, local law enforcement, schools, and businesses to collaborate on initiatives that promote personal safety and community engagement. By officially recognizing this month, the resolution aims to foster a shared sense of responsibility among citizens to work together toward reducing crime.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania laws to better handle child custody issues when a parent is deployed for military service. It repeals older rules that restricted custody changes during deployment and replaces them with the Uniform Deployed Parents Custody and Visitation Act. Under the new provisions, courts can temporarily assign custody to family members if a deployed parent requests it, provided this arrangement does not exceed the original custody rights and serves the child's best interest. Additionally, the law ensures that a parent's absence due to deployment cannot be used as a reason to change custody or that their absence is not considered when deciding what is best for the child.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania vehicle laws to clarify that multipurpose agricultural vehicles do not require registration if they are used exclusively on farms owned or operated by the same person. Specifically, it allows these vehicles to travel between different parts of a single farm or between two farms located within ten miles of each other without needing to be registered. The change aims to simplify administrative requirements for farmers who operate these types of vehicles within their own agricultural properties. The new rules will become effective 60 days after the bill is enacted.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Public School Employees' Retirement Board and the State Employees' Retirement Board to livestream their public meetings and post unedited video and written records online for at least three years. It also clarifies that sensitive investment information, such as details about alternative investments, will remain confidential to protect financial interests but will eventually become public once the risk of competitive harm or negative impact on investment value no longer exists. Additionally, the legislation mandates that specific basic details about alternative investment vehicles, including the manager's identity and the amount of money committed, must always be accessible to the public. These changes aim to increase transparency in how the boards manage records and conduct business while safeguarding sensitive financial data.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to repeal the Pennsylvania Crime Commission Act, which would effectively dissolve the state's Crime Commission and end its operations. The legislation directly affects the commission's six-member board, its executive director, and any employees currently working under the commission's authority. By removing the law that established the commission, the bill eliminates the entity's powers to investigate organized crime and public corruption, as well as its ability to issue subpoenas and make formal reports. Consequently, the specific duties of inquiring into criminal activities and holding annual accountability to the Governor and General Assembly would cease to exist.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House Resolution designates the week of May 19 through 25, 2024, as "Emergency Medical Services Week" to honor the contributions of EMS providers. The measure recognizes the vital role of first responders, paramedics, and other medical personnel in delivering lifesaving care and improving survival rates for those with sudden illnesses or injuries. By officially naming this period, the resolution aims to celebrate the specialized training and dedication of both career and volunteer emergency medical teams.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania resolution designates May 2024 as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Awareness Month to highlight the condition known as Lou Gehrig's disease. The bill directly affects the state's House of Representatives and aims to increase public understanding of ALS, a fatal neurodegenerative disease that causes muscle weakness and affects thousands of adults annually. By officially recognizing this month, the legislation seeks to acknowledge the challenges faced by patients and their families while promoting awareness of ongoing research efforts. The measure does not alter laws or allocate funding, serving instead as a symbolic gesture to foster community recognition of the disease.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates a specific bridge in Franklin County as the Pvt. Clyde C. McVitty Memorial Bridge to honor a local soldier who served in World War II. The legislation requires the Department of Transportation to place official signs bearing the new name on the bridge for drivers traveling in both directions. The act includes a brief history of Pvt. McVitty, noting his service with the 82nd Airborne Division and his death in action in Italy in 1944. The changes will become effective 60 days after the bill is enacted.