Rep. Craig Staats

Maddy summaryHB 1356 prohibits Pennsylvania state and local government agencies from requiring REAL ID-compliant identification to access public buildings or receive government services. Instead, it allows standard driver's licenses, non-driver photo IDs, or other similar identification to be accepted as valid alternatives. The bill clarifies that agencies cannot demand identification if it is not otherwise necessary for a service or building access. This directly affects all state and local government services and the residents who use them.

Maddy summaryHB 1329 makes it illegal to share secretly recorded videos or images of people in private settings, specifically targeting the transmission of such material via phone, email, internet, or physical media. It directly affects individuals who secretly record others' intimate areas (like genitals or nipples with minimal covering) in places where privacy is expected - such as bathrooms or changing rooms - and then share those recordings. The bill updates Pennsylvania's invasion of privacy law to explicitly prohibit this sharing, with harsher penalties when the victim is a student or minor. This law aims to protect people from non-consensual sharing of intimate content, particularly in vulnerable situations.

Maddy summaryHB 1352 amends Pennsylvania's criminal code to expand the offense of "unlawful contact with a minor." It directly affects individuals who intentionally contact minors (or law enforcement posing as minors) for specific prohibited activities, including sexual offenses, human trafficking involving minors, incest, or sexual exploitation. The bill adds new categories to the existing law, such as human trafficking with sexual servitude involving minors, endangering a child's welfare through sexual contact, and expanded corruption of minors offenses. These changes clarify that contact for these activities - whether initiated by the adult or the minor - is a criminal offense within Pennsylvania. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 1354 requires Pennsylvania public school districts to allow private school students who reside in the district to participate in after-school sports, clubs, and other extracurricular activities if their private school does not offer the same activity and they meet all participation requirements. The law directly affects private school students seeking access to public school programs and public school districts managing extracurricular offerings. It mandates inclusion only when the private school does not provide equivalent opportunities, without changing funding or administrative requirements. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 1320 proposes a constitutional amendment to change how certain elected civil officers in Pennsylvania can be removed. It would require that elected officials (excluding the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, state legislators, and judges) be removed only for reasonable cause after a hearing, and only upon a two-thirds vote of the Senate requesting removal. The amendment also mandates that the state legislature create uniform rules for removing municipal officers (like mayors and city council members) only for specific causes, such as absenteeism or failure to perform duties. If approved by voters, this change would affect local elected officials across Pennsylvania by standardizing removal procedures.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution designates April 2025 as "Distracted Driving Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania. It does not create new laws or penalties but formally recognizes and supports existing state and national efforts to reduce distracted driving. The resolution encourages Pennsylvanians to focus on driving safely and discuss distraction risks with others. It aligns with current awareness campaigns led by agencies like PennDOT and the State Police, which already provide safety resources. The designation applies broadly to all residents and drivers in the state.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates May 2025 as "Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania. It formally recognizes ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) through a symbolic designation, highlighting the disease's impact - such as its fatal neurodegenerative nature, average 2-5 year survival after diagnosis, and lack of cure - without creating new laws or funding. The resolution aims to increase public awareness of ALS, acknowledge the challenges faced by patients and families, and honor ongoing research efforts. As a procedural resolution, it does not alter any existing policies or provide financial support.

Maddy summaryHB 1273 repeals Pennsylvania's requirement that taxpayers make payments of $15,000 or more electronically for personal income tax, along with related penalties for non-compliance. It replaces these rules by adding a new provision requiring the Department of Revenue to accept all payment methods without penalties for taxpayers. This bill directly affects individuals and businesses paying Pennsylvania personal income tax, removing a specific electronic payment mandate and associated fines. The changes take effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025, making all payment methods equally acceptable without penalty.

Maddy summaryHB 1270 amends Pennsylvania's Childhood Blood Lead Test Act to require health care practitioners to offer blood lead testing for children before they turn nine months old, replacing the previous 24-month deadline. If a child hasn't been tested by nine months, practitioners must offer testing by age two, and by age six if still untested. The bill also mandates that practitioners assess lead exposure risks and obtain written parental consent before testing. This change directly affects children under 18, their parents, and health care providers in Pennsylvania who treat young children.

Maddy summaryHB 1268 allows Pennsylvania drivers to voluntarily add up to two emergency contacts and specific medical conditions (like hearing impairment, autism, or certified communication disorders) to their driver's license records. The program, accessible during license renewal or vehicle registration, requires medical conditions to be certified by a healthcare provider and listed on a department-maintained public website. Participation is free, and the information is protected from public disclosure under Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law. This directly affects drivers who choose to enroll, providing law enforcement with critical health information during emergencies. The bill prohibits fees, restricts medical condition listings to defined categories, and allows drivers to opt in or out at any time.