Rep. Craig Williams

Maddy summaryThis bill requires coroners in Pennsylvania to investigate whether sudden unexpected deaths in epilepsy (SUDEP) were caused by seizures. If an autopsy supports a SUDEP finding, the coroner must list it on the death certificate and provide the family with contact information for a resource that tracks these cases to help identify risk factors. The law applies to all county classifications across the state and defines SUDEP as a death in an epilepsy patient not caused by trauma, drowning, or other known medical issues.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires school nurses and other staff with direct student contact in Pennsylvania to complete approved training on recognizing seizures and providing first aid. Starting with the 2022-2023 school year, these employees must finish either an online course or in-person instruction covering seizure recognition and action plans. The law applies to all public, private, and parochial schools in the state to ensure staff are prepared to respond to medical emergencies. The training requirement is mandatory for the specified personnel, replacing any previous optional status for these courses.

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 bill directs the Department of Human Services to create a plan for maternal home visiting programs that are voluntary and subject to available funding. The legislation removes language mandating universal access and eliminates references to impact bonds, instead focusing on assessing the potential to expand these services. It also requires the department to submit an annual report to the General Assembly by December 31 of each year, which must include recommendations for future legislative action.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Keystone Fresh Program to increase the amount of locally grown food served in Pennsylvania school meals. It establishes a grant system administered by the Departments of Education and Agriculture to reimburse school districts for purchasing local fruits, vegetables, grains, and other minimally processed foods. The program prioritizes funding for schools that source from veteran farmers, socially disadvantaged groups, new farmers, or those using sustainable agriculture techniques. A separate fund is also created to support the administration of these initiatives, aiming to improve child nutrition and provide economic benefits to local producers.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a consumer data privacy framework that defines the responsibilities of data controllers and processors while setting penalties for non-compliance. It clarifies that controllers are entities that determine how personal information is used and requires them to implement reasonable safeguards to protect collected data. The legislation specifies that publicly available information and certain mathematical representations of data are excluded from the definition of personal information, and it includes exemptions for financial institutions. Additionally, the bill outlines procedures for consumers to opt out of data processing and grants them a 60-day window to correct errors in their data requests.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania laws to improve substance use overdose awareness by requiring the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs to distribute educational posters in multiple languages. The department is authorized to cover the costs of printing and distributing these materials, which must be placed in conspicuous locations where permitted. Additionally, the legislation establishes a new grant program designed to support long-term recovery from substance use. These changes directly affect state agencies responsible for drug and alcohol prevention and the communities they serve.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania laws to better handle child custody issues when a parent is deployed for military service. It repeals older rules that restricted custody changes during deployment and replaces them with the Uniform Deployed Parents Custody and Visitation Act. Under the new provisions, courts can temporarily assign custody to family members if a deployed parent requests it, provided this arrangement does not exceed the original custody rights and serves the child's best interest. Additionally, the law ensures that a parent's absence due to deployment cannot be used as a reason to change custody or that their absence is not considered when deciding what is best for the child.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a resolution that designates the week of March 10 through 16, 2024, as Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week in Pennsylvania. It directly affects residents of the state by encouraging them to participate in efforts to raise awareness about the neurological disease. The measure highlights the impact of multiple sclerosis on over 24,000 Pennsylvanians and acknowledges the work of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society in funding research and supporting patients. By formally recognizing this specific week, the resolution aims to draw public attention to the condition and the ongoing fight for a cure.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates May 28, 2024, as "Jim Thorpe Day" in Pennsylvania to honor the legacy of the multi-sport athlete. The bill recognizes Thorpe's achievements in football, baseball, and basketball, as well as his historic Olympic performances and his role in founding the National Football League. It serves as a commemorative measure that celebrates his life and contributions to sports without altering any laws or policies.