Rep. Donna Scheuren

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania vehicle laws to establish a new road user charge specifically for electric vehicles. The new fee, set to begin on April 1, 2025, is designed to generate revenue for state roads and bridges, while also updating motorcycle inspection requirements. The legislation takes effect immediately upon approval, with most other provisions becoming active within 60 days.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's stalking laws by clarifying the specific actions that constitute the crime of stalking under Title 18. It directly affects individuals who engage in repeated courses of conduct or communications toward another person, such as following someone without authority. The key provision defines stalking as knowingly or recklessly placing another person in reasonable fear of bodily injury or causing them substantial emotional distress. The bill also removes previous language regarding the intent behind these actions, focusing instead on the actual fear or distress caused. If passed, these changes would take effect 60 days after the law is enacted.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Grant Recipient Employee Verification Act, requires businesses in Pennsylvania that receive state grants to verify the work authorization status of their employees using the federal E-Verify system. It prohibits these employers from knowingly hiring individuals who are not legally allowed to work in the United States and mandates that they keep records of these verifications for the duration of employment or three years, whichever is longer. The Department of Labor and Industry will be tasked with investigating complaints about violations, which includes the power to inspect business records and interview employees. Employers who fail to comply with these new verification requirements face potential penalties, while individuals filing false complaints could face criminal charges.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Human Relations Act to explicitly prohibit discrimination against Jewish individuals based on religious creed. It achieves this by incorporating the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's definition of antisemitism and its contemporary examples into state law. The legislation also clarifies that criticism of Israel comparable to that directed at other nations should not be considered discriminatory. These changes expand the legal protections available under the state's existing anti-discrimination framework.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's stalking laws by clarifying how the offense is graded based on the relationship between the perpetrator and the victim. Under the new provisions, a first stalking offense remains a misdemeanor, but it becomes a felony if the person has a prior history of violence against the same victim or family member. The legislation also establishes stricter penalties when an adult stalks a minor, elevating the crime to a felony depending on the age gap between them. These changes directly affect individuals charged with stalking and aim to provide clearer sentencing guidelines for repeat offenders and cases involving minors.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new nonpublic database registry within the Pennsylvania State Police to track individuals convicted of specific domestic violence offenses. The registry will be accessible only to law enforcement agencies and victim advocates, containing electronic records of offenders who have been convicted of crimes such as murder, aggravated assault, stalking, or strangulation committed against family or household members. Those required to register must remain on the list for varying durations depending on the severity of the crime, ranging from five years for lesser offenses to life for murder convictions. The legislation also outlines how the database will be implemented, administered, and allowed to communicate with similar registries in other jurisdictions.

Maddy summaryThis bill strengthens Pennsylvania's stalking laws by imposing stricter penalties for repeat offenders or those with a history of violence against the same victim. It mandates a minimum prison sentence of five years for second or subsequent stalking convictions, with the maximum sentence capped at double that minimum. The law also removes the possibility of probation or suspended sentences for these specific cases and requires courts to verify prior convictions before applying the enhanced penalties. These changes aim to ensure more severe consequences for individuals who continue to harass or threaten victims after previous offenses or related criminal history.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's protection from abuse laws to allow courts to issue orders restricting a defendant's use of social media platforms. It achieves this by first defining what constitutes a social media platform and a user, then explicitly granting judges the authority to prohibit defendants from accessing or posting content on these sites to prevent abuse. The legislation directly affects individuals seeking protection orders against alleged abusers and the social media companies themselves by creating a legal framework for their exclusion from court-ordered restrictions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires hospitals licensed in Pennsylvania to report the number of admissions and emergency visits made by individuals defined as illegal migrants. Hospitals must submit these figures annually to the state Department of Health, which will then publish a public report detailing the total costs of uncompensated care and its impact on hospital funding. The compiled data will also be shared with state legislative leaders and committee chairs to inform policy discussions. Ultimately, the legislation aims to increase transparency regarding the financial burden of providing care to undocumented immigrants within the state's healthcare system.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new role for civilian community relations specialists to work alongside law enforcement agencies, focusing on crime prevention, building public trust, and promoting community policing. The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency will be tasked with developing programs, coordinating resources, and overseeing these specialists across the state. To support this initiative, the legislation establishes a dedicated state fund that will be continuously appropriated to the commission for administration and operations. The changes are designed to formalize the relationship between local police departments and community members through structured, non-law enforcement personnel.