Rep. Kristin Marcell

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 expands the authority of Pennsylvania's intermediate units to acquire and lease property for school facilities and establishes a funding mechanism for these capital projects. It creates a program that allows nonpublic schools to receive grants for safety and security enhancements, which can be used for violence prevention, mental health initiatives, and hiring security personnel. Additionally, the legislation sets a minimum funding level for these targeted grants and clarifies that intermediate units can only use a small percentage of the funds for administrative costs.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates a specific bridge in Bucks County as the Ensign Sarah Mitchell Memorial Bridge to honor a local woman who died in the line of duty while serving in the U.S. Navy. The legislation officially names the structure, which carries Pennsylvania Route 213 over Neshaminy Creek, after Ensign Sarah Joy Mitchell, a 2018 graduate of Neshaminy High School who passed away in 2018. To implement this change, the bill requires the Department of Transportation to install and maintain signs displaying the new name for traffic traveling in both directions. The act is set to take effect 60 days after being signed into law.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's teacher certification rules to define specific grade spans and age levels for instructional certificates issued after December 31, 2027. It establishes new categories for early childhood, elementary/middle, secondary, and specialized areas, each with distinct grade ranges and age limits that teachers must meet to be certified. The legislation also allows teachers currently enrolled in preparation programs to finish their training under the old rules if they complete their studies before December 31, 2025, ensuring they can still receive appropriate certification. These changes directly affect the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the thousands of teachers seeking or holding instructional certificates in the state.

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 resolution designates February 11 through 17, 2024, as Future Business Leaders of America Week in Pennsylvania. It directly honors the nonprofit organization FBLA, which supports students in developing business and leadership skills through various chapters across the state. The measure serves as a commemorative recognition of the group's history and mission rather than enacting new laws or policies.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House Resolution designates April 2024 as Parkinson's Disease Awareness Month to highlight the impact of the condition on approximately one million Americans. The measure formally acknowledges the disease's status as a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that causes tremors, movement difficulties, and other symptoms while increasing the need for research and education. By urging residents to support cure efforts and assist affected families, the resolution aims to raise public awareness without changing any laws or funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates Passover and Yom Kippur as official days of religious observance within Pennsylvania. It formally recognizes the First Day of Passover and Yom Kippur in state statutes to acknowledge their significance to the Jewish community, which includes over 400,000 residents. However, the legislation explicitly states that these designations do not require employers or the state government to treat these days as legal holidays or to provide paid time off. The changes serve to officially record the dates of these observances without mandating any specific accommodations for workers.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to conduct a study on the services, processes, and wait times provided by the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation and the Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services in Pennsylvania. The investigation will examine how long individuals with visual impairments wait for essential support and analyze how these delays affect their lives and career prospects. Additionally, the study will look into ways to improve efficiency, such as exploring partnerships with outside agencies to reduce waiting lists. The committee is required to submit a report with its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly within 180 days.