Rep. Jim Prokopiak

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Adult Protective Services Act to update definitions and administrative duties while establishing a registration system for perpetrators of abuse and neglect. It clarifies terms such as "abuse," "exploitation," and "caregiver" to include specific acts like institutional sexual assault and unauthorized taking of an adult's resources. The legislation also outlines the responsibilities of the Department of Human Services and other agencies in protecting adults aged 18 to 59 with significant physical or mental impairments. Additionally, it mandates the registration of individuals convicted of abusing or neglecting vulnerable adults to enhance accountability and public safety.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Older Adults Protective Services Act to update definitions of abuse, neglect, and exploitation while establishing a new abuse and neglect registry. It clarifies what constitutes harm to older adults, including specific provisions regarding sexual assault in care settings, and expands the list of facilities covered under the law. The legislation also strengthens privacy protections by restricting access to protective services records, allowing only specific staff and employers to view them for registry purposes. These changes directly affect caregivers, facilities, and state agencies responsible for investigating and reporting incidents involving vulnerable seniors.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Live Customer Service Improvement Act, requires businesses in Pennsylvania to offer customers the option to speak with a live person via telephone when they call customer service lines. The law applies specifically to for-profit organizations with more than 100 employees and annual revenues exceeding $10 million, while exempting smaller businesses. Companies must establish a system that allows callers to bypass automated menus and reach an employee directly upon request. Violations of this requirement would be treated as unfair trade practices under existing state consumer protection laws. The new rules will become effective 180 days after the bill is passed.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania bill updates the fees that constables and deputy constables can charge for their services in both civil and criminal cases. It directly affects law enforcement officers who perform duties such as serving legal documents, transporting defendants, and providing courtroom security. The legislation increases the dollar amounts for various tasks, such as raising the fee for executing an arrest warrant from $25 to $50 and adjusting costs for transporting prisoners and holding defendants in court. Additionally, the bill establishes a new $10 surcharge for each criminal case where a constable provides a service, while ensuring that indigent defendants in criminal cases are not held financially responsible for this fee.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania bill prohibits the intentional addition of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as PFAS, to a wide range of consumer products including cookware, cosmetics, food packaging, and artificial turf. While the law generally bans these chemicals, it allows for their use in specific items if the Department of Environmental Protection determines that no safer alternative exists and the chemical is critical for the product's function. The Department of Environmental Protection is tasked with enforcing these restrictions, managing a public database of PFAS information, and imposing penalties for violations.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows teachers in Pennsylvania who have voluntarily placed their teaching certificates on inactive status for at least seven years to take college courses for free or at a 50% discount. The State Board of Education will create and update a list of approved colleges offering these specific tuition-reduced credits every three years. To fund this program, the state will reimburse colleges annually for the waived tuition costs, with reports on enrollment numbers submitted to the General Assembly each June.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows local taxing authorities in Pennsylvania to offer property tax exemptions to developers who redevelop old churches, hospitals, and schools. To oversee these efforts, it creates a new advisory committee within the State Planning Board and gives the Department of Community and Economic Development new powers and responsibilities. The law defines redevelopment as major repairs or construction that improve safety and utility, rather than simple maintenance, and requires developers to sign agreements outlining the terms of the tax breaks.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new program to freeze property taxes for eligible senior citizens and disabled individuals in Pennsylvania. To qualify, applicants must own and live in their home for at least 10 years, have a household income of $45,000 or less, and meet specific age or disability criteria. If approved, the property tax amount is locked at the level paid in the base year, and the freeze continues as long as the person remains eligible and renews their application annually. The Department of Revenue will create a standardized application form and publish annual reports detailing how many people participate and the total tax savings generated by the program.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a minimum hourly wage of $20 or a living wage for education support professionals in Pennsylvania public schools, effective for the 2024-2025 school year. It requires schools to pay overtime at 1.5 times the standard rate and mandates that salaried workers be paid based on their actual hours worked to meet this threshold. For employees currently covered by existing contracts with lower wages, the law requires schools to make supplemental payments to bridge the gap until the contract expires or is renewed. The Department of Labor and Industry is tasked with calculating and annually adjusting the living wage based on inflation data, while the state provides funding to school districts to cover the cost of these wage increases. Additionally, the legislation updates procedures for school boards, requiring a majority vote and proper recording for certain decisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new state program that allows Pennsylvania municipalities to establish special zoning districts designed to encourage higher-density housing near transit hubs and existing commercial areas. To qualify for financial incentives, towns must adopt specific zoning rules that permit mixed-use developments and affordable housing while meeting minimum requirements for open space and infrastructure. The legislation establishes a dedicated fund to provide one-time payments to municipalities for each new housing unit built within these approved districts, aiming to increase attainable housing stock. Local governments directly affected by this law would need to submit detailed plans outlining their housing goals and development strategies to the Department of Community and Economic Development for approval.