Rep. Donna Scheuren

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 amends the Cancer Drug Repository Program Act to clarify definitions and expand the program's scope. It adds specific legal definitions for manufacturers and wholesale distributors and allows approved pharmacies to accept unused prescription drugs from state medical assistance programs for dispensing to patients. The legislation also updates the list of eligible entities that can return or donate drugs to the repository and requires the creation of a list of participating pharmacies. Additionally, the bill includes provisions for program fees, storage regulations, and immunity for participants.

Maddy summaryHB 2064 amends the Older Adults Protective Services Act to update how financial institutions handle accounts for older adults. The bill removes specific language regarding beneficiaries and adjusts numerical limits on account protections from fifteen to seven. These changes directly affect banks and other financial entities by modifying the rules they must follow when managing funds for elderly clients.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's Public School Code to strengthen policies against bullying and cyberbullying for all public, private, and parochial schools. It requires school districts to adopt or revise their anti-bullying rules by January 1, 2009, to include clear definitions of bullying and cyberbullying, specific disciplinary consequences, and procedures for notifying parents within five days of an incident. The law defines bullying as severe or persistent acts that disrupt a student's education or school environment, while cyberbullying specifically involves these acts committed through computers or mobile devices during school hours. Additionally, the bill mandates that schools designate a staff member to receive bullying reports and ensures parent notifications comply with federal privacy laws.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House Resolution designates September 2024 as "Military Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month" to highlight the high suicide rates among veterans in the state. The measure aims to raise public consciousness about the issue by officially setting aside the month for recognition and support rather than implementing new laws or funding. It expresses support for ongoing federal and state efforts to assist veterans and their families while acknowledging the specific challenges they face.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution that formally recognizes May 18, 2024, as "Armed Forces Day" within the state of Pennsylvania. It directly honors the service and sacrifice of U.S. military members and their families by encouraging local appreciation and acknowledging the support provided by private citizens and businesses. The text includes standard statements of gratitude and commits the state to supporting service personnel, but it does not create any new laws or change existing policies. Copies of the resolution are intended for distribution to military installations in the Commonwealth to share the recognition.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates July 2024 as MECP2 Duplication Syndrome Awareness Month in Pennsylvania to highlight a rare genetic condition that primarily affects boys. The bill aims to increase public understanding of the disorder's symptoms, which include severe gastrointestinal issues, frequent respiratory infections, and treatment-resistant seizures, while also noting its strong link to autism. By officially recognizing this month, the legislation seeks to draw attention to the challenges faced by affected families and the ongoing research into potential future treatments.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits individuals from serving as school directors in Pennsylvania if they have unpaid school property taxes on their primary residence or business for two years or more. To enforce this rule, the legislation allows courts to challenge a candidate's eligibility or remove an elected official through specific legal procedures known as election objections and quo warranto. The law defines "delinquent" as a failure to pay these taxes for at least two years without any pending legal disputes over the debt. Once enacted, these restrictions will apply to both current candidates and anyone elected to the position after the bill takes effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Higher Education Scholarship Law to allow the state to deny financial aid to students convicted of specific criminal offenses. It mandates the denial of all forms of assistance for students convicted of any felony, as well as specific misdemeanors involving moral turpitude. Additionally, the legislation requires aid denial for convictions related to ethnic intimidation, institutional vandalism, desecration of venerated objects, and criminal trespass at protected locations. These changes apply to all students seeking state-funded scholarships who have been found guilty of these crimes by a court of record.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new crime called institutional trespass in Pennsylvania to specifically protect places like schools, churches, government buildings, and cemeteries. It makes it a third-degree felony for anyone who knowingly enters or stays in these locations with the intent to threaten people, start fires, damage property, or disrupt operations. The law applies to both the buildings themselves and the grounds surrounding them, as well as any personal property found inside. Once passed, the changes will take effect 60 days later.