Rep. Heather Boyd

Maddy summaryHB 66 creates a Pennsylvania program providing $5,000 semester stipends to residents enrolled in accredited Master of Social Work (MSW) programs with a 3.0+ GPA. It directly affects students pursuing social work careers by funding their education through paid internships. The program requires internships at state-approved facilities to meet clinical training and licensing requirements, with stipends adjusted annually for inflation. Funding is contingent on available state budget resources, administered by the Department of Human Services.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes Pennsylvania to join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, an agreement among states to award all their electoral votes to the presidential candidate who wins the most popular votes nationwide. The law takes effect only when enough participating states collectively hold a majority of the Electoral College votes, ensuring the current system remains in place until the compact is fully active. If the agreement is triggered, Pennsylvania's chief election official would count statewide popular votes to determine the national winner and certify the corresponding slate of electors. The legislation also includes provisions for state withdrawal, definitions of key terms, and requirements for public transparency in vote counting.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission's authority to hire and set pay for waterways patrolmen and other staff. It requires the executive director to appoint these employees based on state classification plans and mandates that full-time conservation officers be paid at the same rate as Pennsylvania State Police members. The changes apply to compensation earned after the law takes effect 60 days from passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates how Pennsylvania Game Commission officers are classified and paid. It establishes that full-time officers responsible for enforcing game laws will be compensated in the same way as members of the Pennsylvania State Police. All other personnel, except the director, will continue to be hired and paid according to the state's standard classification and compensation plans. The changes apply to earnings starting from the bill's effective date, which is set to occur 60 days after it is passed.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania bill requires individuals who create or distribute artificial intelligence-generated images, text, or videos to place a visible watermark on at least 30% of the content. The watermark must be at least 50% opaque and clearly state that the material was created using artificial intelligence. Exceptions exist for film and television productions if the AI is used for visual effects without depicting specific individuals, or if those individuals have given written consent. Violating the watermark requirement is classified as a misdemeanor, with fines of $1,000 for a first offense and up to $10,000 for repeat violations within five years.

Maddy summaryHB 1409 updates the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission's authority to set fees for fishing licenses, permits, and issuing agents. The bill allows the commission to adjust specific amounts for various licenses, such as resident annual and senior resident lifetime licenses, as well as different tourist and replacement options, by referencing existing administrative rules. It also establishes fixed fees for special permits, including those for trout fishing and charter boat guides, while capping transaction costs for the automated licensing system at one dollar. This legislation directly impacts anglers and fishing businesses by defining the current fee structure and providing the legal framework for the commission to manage these costs.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania laws regarding the compensation and eligibility rules for borough and town council members and mayors. It clarifies that council members do not receive pay for unexcused absences from meetings, while allowing excused absences for reasons like illness, emergencies, or travel. The legislation also ensures that a borough cannot be forced to lower a mayor's or council member's salary if the town's population decreases, though it maintains that council pay cannot exceed the mayor's salary. These changes aim to provide clearer guidelines on how local officials are paid and when they are eligible for that pay.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands medical assistance coverage to include doula services for eligible recipients during pregnancy, labor, delivery, and for up to one year after childbirth. To oversee this expansion, the legislation requires the creation of a Doula Advisory Board composed of government officials, doula representatives, and community members to advise on best practices and address disparities in maternal health. The state must also seek federal approval or a waiver to implement these changes, with the new coverage provisions taking effect once approved. Additionally, the bill includes provisions for third-party liability and data matching to help prevent fraud and abuse within the program.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Pennsylvania-Ireland Trade Commission and creates a dedicated fund to cover its administrative costs. It assigns the Department of Community and Economic Development the responsibility of managing the commission and appointing its members, including six individuals selected by the Governor. The legislation also introduces the Entertainment Economic Enhancement Program and includes minor corrections to the text, such as fixing spelling errors and updating section numbering.

Maddy summaryThis law gives Pennsylvania licensing boards temporary power to create short-term rules specifically for professional licensing compacts that the state has joined. These temporary regulations must be published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin and will automatically expire on that publication date, while the rules themselves must end no later than three years after being issued. Once these temporary rules expire, any future regulations for these compacts must follow the standard rulemaking process required by existing law. The bill affects state agencies responsible for overseeing licensed professions and ensures that any new compact-related rules are time-limited.