Rep. Kristin Marcell

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Regulatory Review Act to require agencies to submit a specific analysis alongside any proposed regulations related to fuel, energy, or electricity. The new provision mandates that these agencies explain how their rules might increase electricity costs and discuss the potential negative impacts on low-income residents. By adding this requirement, the legislation ensures that the Independent Regulatory Review Commission and relevant legislative committees receive more detailed information during the review process. The changes take effect 60 days after the bill is enacted.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes adding a new crime in Pennsylvania that makes it illegal to use social media platforms to commit, encourage, or help others commit a felony. It defines social media sites as online spaces where users primarily post their own content, while excluding traditional news websites and email services. If someone is convicted of using these platforms to facilitate a felony, they could face a fine of up to $15,000, imprisonment for up to seven years, or both. The law treats each separate instance of using social media for this purpose as a distinct crime.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a curfew law for minors under 18 in Pennsylvania municipalities, making it a summary offense for them to remain in public places during designated curfew hours. The legislation allows minors to avoid penalties if they are accompanied by an adult, traveling by motor vehicle or public transit, going to or from work without detours, responding to an emergency, or attending or returning from school, religious, or recreational activities. Local governments will have the authority to set specific curfew times and enforce these rules within their jurisdictions. The law defines "minor" as anyone under 18 and "adult" as anyone 18 or older, and it will become effective 60 days after passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new crime called looting in Pennsylvania, specifically targeting theft that occurs during or right after natural disasters, lawful protests, or civil disobedience demonstrations. It defines looting as committing burglary, retail theft, or organized retail theft during these specific events and classifies the offense as a second-degree felony. The legislation includes a detailed list of what counts as a natural disaster, such as hurricanes, floods, fires, and earthquakes. If passed, the law will take effect 60 days after it is signed.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania bill authorizes the Department of Corrections to issue electronic control gloves to corrections officers, with mandatory distribution required for officers working in units housing inmates who have received disciplinary sanctions and are segregated from the general population. The legislation mandates that the department create public written policies for the use, training, maintenance, and storage of these devices and requires all officers to complete an approved training course before receiving them. Additionally, the bill defines electronic control gloves as gloves with electrodes that emit less than 500 volts to temporarily immobilize or restrain individuals and requires their use to comply with existing state guidelines on law enforcement use of force.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows local taxing districts in Pennsylvania, such as counties, cities, and school districts, to offer residents the option to pay their taxes in up to twelve monthly installments instead of a single lump sum. Under the new rules, these payment plans can be established through local ordinances or resolutions, but taxpayers will not receive any discounts or interest reductions for paying over time. The legislation takes effect 60 days after it is signed into law, giving local governments time to update their collection systems to accommodate the expanded payment options.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to identify and maintain a list of run-of-the-river dams across the state. Owners and permittees of these specific dams must mark the areas above, below, and adjacent to the structures with signs and buoys to warn swimmers, anglers, and boaters about potential hazards. The legislation also mandates that the department publish this list and a map of dam locations on its website, while owners are responsible for repairing or replacing any damaged or removed warning markers within 30 days.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the state Department of Health to hold annual regional meetings with long-term care nursing facilities to gather feedback on how the department conducts its surveys. The primary goal is to improve cooperation and communication between the department and these facilities, with the option to hold meetings either in-person or virtually. Any information shared during these meetings is protected from being used in criminal, civil, or administrative cases, unless the data is unrelated to facility performance, knowingly false, or independently verified. Additionally, records collected during these sessions are exempt from public access under the state's Right-to-Know Law.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires individuals applying for licenses as health care practitioners in Pennsylvania to submit fingerprints for criminal history background checks. The Pennsylvania State Police will conduct state and federal checks to identify any arrests or convictions, with results sent only to the Department of State to determine eligibility. Licensing boards may deny credentials based on these findings, and the state must establish secure procedures for handling this sensitive information. The law applies to various professions including medicine, nursing, dentistry, and pharmacy, and it takes effect 180 days after signing.

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.