Rep. David Maloney

Maddy summaryHB 291, also known as "Susan's and Emily's Law," updates Pennsylvania's parking rules to better protect pedestrians and cyclists. It requires vehicles parked next to pedestrian plazas or bike lanes to position their wheels within 12 inches of the buffer zone between the lane and curb, aligned with traffic flow. The bill also clarifies disability parking rules, allowing local governments to restrict access to specific vehicles or license plates and charge reasonable fees while complying with federal disability law. Violations of the new pedestrian/bike lane parking rules carry a $15 fine, while disability parking violations can result in fines of $50-$300.

Maddy summaryHB 454 repeals Pennsylvania's requirement for a license to carry a firearm (openly or concealed) for most individuals, making it legal to carry without a license statewide, including in Philadelphia where previous restrictions on public streets and property are removed. The bill also repeals provisions about proof of license and related exceptions, while maintaining existing prohibitions for convicted felons and other restricted locations like schools. Additionally, it includes a new provision for a sportsman's firearm permit and specific regulations for antique firearms. The changes directly affect law-abiding Pennsylvanians who previously needed a license for general firearm carry.

Maddy summaryHB 445 is a proposed constitutional amendment that would explicitly add "land" to the list of protected items under Pennsylvania's right to security from unreasonable searches and seizures. The amendment updates Article I, Section 8 of the state constitution to state that "the people shall be secure in their persons, houses, papers, land and possessions" from such searches. This change directly affects all Pennsylvania residents by clarifying that land ownership (e.g., property, parcels) is explicitly protected under this constitutional right, mirroring existing protections for other property types. The bill also outlines the procedural steps required for constitutional amendments, including legislative passage and voter approval at the next applicable election. As a proposed amendment, it does not take effect until ratified by voters.

Maddy summaryHB 283 amends Pennsylvania's land development rules to create "nonbuilding lots" - parcels without sewage-producing structures - that are exempt from standard subdivision regulations. Property owners can create up to two such lots by obtaining a Department of Environmental Protection waiver confirming no sewage facilities are needed, or up to two or more lots when the waiver designates the division is among immediate family members (spouse, parent, child, etc.). Owners who later build on these lots must comply with current zoning and development laws. This bill directly affects land developers and local governments managing property divisions in Pennsylvania.

Maddy summaryHB 284 requires Pennsylvania voters to provide proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote for the first time. Acceptable documents include birth certificates, passports, naturalization papers, driver's licenses showing citizenship verification, or other federal-issued proof as listed in the bill. County election offices must verify this documentation before finalizing voter registrations for federal, state, and local elections. The bill applies to all new registrants and aligns with federal voter registration requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HB 83) amends Pennsylvania's 1970 law to allow minors aged 16 to 18 to consent independently to mental health treatment (both inpatient and outpatient) without parental permission. It establishes clear rules for when minors or parents can revoke consent and requires courts to hold a hearing within 72 hours if a minor objects to continued treatment, with strict criteria for overriding their wishes. The law explicitly excludes minors with "special needs" (defined as intellectual disabilities with adaptive limitations) from these provisions. It applies specifically to mental health services, not general medical care, and clarifies liability for providers who rely on a minor's consent.

Maddy summaryHB 1409 updates the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission's authority to set fees for fishing licenses, permits, and issuing agents. The bill allows the commission to adjust specific amounts for various licenses, such as resident annual and senior resident lifetime licenses, as well as different tourist and replacement options, by referencing existing administrative rules. It also establishes fixed fees for special permits, including those for trout fishing and charter boat guides, while capping transaction costs for the automated licensing system at one dollar. This legislation directly impacts anglers and fishing businesses by defining the current fee structure and providing the legal framework for the commission to manage these costs.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the membership rules for Pennsylvania's State Veterans' Commission to ensure broader representation of different veteran groups. It mandates that the commission include representatives from sixteen specific national veterans' organizations, such as the American Legion and VFW, along with four members appointed by the Governor who must be female or Vietnam-era veterans. The legislation also clarifies the roles of state-level leaders from the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, and Veterans of Foreign Wars as nonvoting members. These changes aim to modernize the commission's composition while maintaining its existing structure under Pennsylvania law.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Social Media Anti-Censorship Act, requires large social media platforms with over 50 million U.S. users to create clear rules for content moderation and provide users with ways to challenge content removals. It mandates that platforms publish their acceptable use policies in accessible locations and immediately notify users when their posts are taken down, along with offering an appeal process that must be resolved within 14 days. Additionally, the law requires these platforms to release biannual transparency reports detailing how many times they removed or restricted content, who reported the violations, and how many appeals were successful. The act specifically protects journalists and public officials by requiring platforms to track and report instances where their content was targeted for removal.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House resolution establishes a select committee to investigate the security failures at the July 13, 2024, rally in Butler where a gunman targeted former President Trump. The committee will examine how federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies coordinated their response and will propose best practices for protecting public figures at future events. Authorized to subpoena witnesses and documents, the six-member panel must submit its findings and recommendations to the House by November 30, 2024.