Rep. Missy Cerrato

Maddy summaryHB 381 requires Pennsylvania's Department of Education to conduct an independent study evaluating whether the ACT and SAT could replace the current Keystone Exams (in literature, algebra I, and biology) for high school students. The study must assess if these college readiness tests align with state standards, provide comparable achievement data for all students (including subgroups), offer appropriate accommodations for students with disabilities and English learners, and meet federal assessment requirements. The report, due within one year, will inform potential future changes to graduation requirements. This bill directly affects Pennsylvania public high school students and the state's education accountability system, but does not implement any changes itself.

Maddy summaryHB 391 requires all school buses in Pennsylvania to install video monitoring systems by July 1, 2026. The system must include internal cameras covering every seat and either an external camera or a forward-facing camera to monitor the road ahead. School bus operators, including school districts and transportation contractors, will be directly affected by this requirement. The state Department of Transportation will create specific regulations to implement the law. This bill focuses on enhancing safety monitoring during school bus operations.

Maddy summaryHB 376 makes it a crime to transport dogs on external vehicle parts like hoods, roofs, or truck beds on Pennsylvania roads. It directly affects drivers who carry dogs this way, imposing escalating fines: $50-$150 for a first offense, $150-$300 for a second, and up to $500 or 90 days in jail for third or subsequent violations. The law includes an exception for dogs in secured, insulated cages designed to prevent exposure to weather or falls. This bill creates a new summary offense under Pennsylvania’s criminal code with specific penalties for unsafe dog transportation practices.

Maddy summaryHB 388 allows Pennsylvania municipalities to repair or replace private sewer and water pipes connecting homes to public systems using public funds or employees, if the work benefits public health or infrastructure. It requires municipalities to prioritize using "American-made" materials for these repairs and to publish a public notice in local media if American-made supplies are unavailable. Property owners can then object within 30 days, providing evidence that American-made materials are available, with objections treated as formal appeals. This directly affects local governments managing infrastructure and property owners whose private pipes may be upgraded.

Maddy summaryHR 41 is a resolution directing Pennsylvania's Joint State Government Commission to study emergency child care needs and develop recommendations. The study will examine current availability (including Pennsylvania's 12 crisis nurseries), staffing challenges (like low wages averaging $12.43/hour), funding sources (including federal programs), and how other states license facilities. It requires the Commission to form an advisory committee with child care providers, parents, health/human services officials, and county representatives. The Commission must submit its report to the House within 18 months. This resolution does not create new laws but aims to inform future policy decisions.

Maddy summaryHB 357 amends Pennsylvania's 1971 Tax Reform Code to exempt specific property transfers from realty transfer tax. It directly affects surviving spouses and minor children of public safety personnel (police, firefighters, etc.) who died while performing official duties, as defined by the 1976 Emergency and Law Enforcement Personnel Death Benefits Act. The key provision excludes transfers where the property was the deceased's principal residence, and the transfer occurs within five years of death under defined conditions (e.g., the surviving spouse married within one year before the death, or the property was the deceased's residence regardless of the child's current residence). This creates a tax exemption for these specific family transitions without altering the broader tax structure. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 334 creates a $2,500 Pennsylvania Individual Recruitment and Retention Tax Credit for specific new professionals who move to the state after December 2024. It directly affects qualifying taxpayers certified in teaching (e.g., instructional or special education certificates), law enforcement (e.g., police academy graduates), or healthcare (e.g., registered nurses) who become Pennsylvania residents and secure employment in those fields. The credit reduces their state income tax bill for wages earned in qualifying roles, available for three consecutive years (including the first qualifying year), and requires proof of certification to the Department of Revenue. The credit expires December 31, 2030, and applies only to individuals becoming qualifying taxpayers between 2025 and 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 360 requires Pennsylvania colleges and universities to adopt clear written policies addressing sexual harassment and sexual violence. These policies must inform victims of their legal rights, meet or exceed a state model, include specific investigation timelines, and provide protections for victims and witnesses during investigations. The bill directly affects all postsecondary institutions in Pennsylvania by mandating standardized, legally compliant procedures for handling such incidents. It does not change criminal law or provide new victim services, but sets requirements for institutional policy and process. The bill is pending in the Education Committee as introduced in January 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 329 modifies Pennsylvania's school funding formula to adjust how state funds are distributed to school districts starting in fiscal year 2025-2026. It creates a new "Senior Citizen Tax Freeze" program (Section 504.1), allowing eligible seniors (65+ who own their homes) to freeze school property taxes at their base payment level, preventing increases beyond that amount. Seniors must apply within 45 days of tax due dates, provide proof of ownership and payment, and the state will reimburse school districts for tax increases above the base amount starting April 2025. The program is funded through the existing Property Tax Relief Reserve Fund, with payments made annually from that fund. This directly affects seniors owning homesteads in Pennsylvania school districts.

Maddy summaryHB 365 authorizes Pennsylvania to join the Cosmetology Licensure Compact, a multi-state agreement that allows cosmetologists licensed in one participating state to practice in other member states without obtaining separate licenses. The compact establishes uniform licensing standards and requires member states to share information about disciplinary actions against cosmetologists to protect public safety. This would primarily benefit cosmetologists moving across state lines, including military members and their spouses, by reducing the administrative burden of multiple licenses while maintaining consistent safety oversight.