Rep. Ben Waxman

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new tuition assistance program in Pennsylvania to help current early childhood educators earn associate degrees or certifications. To qualify, applicants must work at least 25 hours per week in an approved early childhood program, have a household income at or below 400% of the federal poverty level, and commit to working in the state for two years after finishing their studies. The program provides grants that cover the cost of attendance minus any other financial aid received, paid in two installments per semester. Funding for the program comes from an annual state appropriation, federal money, and other grants, with the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency responsible for administering it and reporting on student outcomes.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code to create a new program offering tax credits for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of specific factory and mill buildings. To qualify, a building must be at least 75% vacant for two years, have been constructed before 1973, and undergo substantial repairs costing at least 20% of its market value. The Department of Community and Economic Development will oversee the certification process, working with municipalities to identify eligible structures and verifying that owners spend the funds strictly on approved improvements. Once a building is certified, businesses operating there can receive a business tax credit if they meet certain criteria, such as maintaining a workforce larger than the previous year. The legislation aims to revitalize older industrial sites by providing financial incentives for their repair and reuse.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Human Services Code to improve child welfare services and ensure they are available to all children regardless of their background. It requires the state department to conduct a triennial inventory of delinquency programs across the state and clearly defines the law's purpose as protecting children, preserving families, and prioritizing in-home care over institutional placements. The legislation also outlines specific payment percentages to counties for various services and mandates that the department refuse or revoke licenses for facilities that fail to meet safe and humane standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a three-year pilot program in Pennsylvania to raise salaries for pre-kindergarten teachers to match those of elementary school teachers with similar skills. The Department of Education will select participating programs based on poverty levels, compare teacher qualifications, and use a specific formula to calculate the necessary salary increase. Funding for these raises will come from federal, state, private, or other non-state sources, with strict rules requiring that all money be used solely for teacher pay. The program will also collect data and submit a report to the General Assembly after one year to evaluate its success and suggest future improvements.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a three-year pilot program in Pennsylvania to provide salary supplements to Head Start teachers, aiming to align their pay with that of elementary school teachers who have comparable skills and experience. The program would target school districts with at least 20% poverty rates or independent Head Start programs located in census tracts with poverty levels at or below 80% of the statewide median. Under the plan, the Department of Education would calculate the salary difference for participating teachers and provide funding to close that gap, while strictly monitoring that all funds are used solely for salary increases. The bill also requires the department to submit an annual report to the General Assembly detailing the program's implementation, results, and recommendations for future changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to prevent local taxing authorities in Pennsylvania from raising their property tax millage rates to fund special real property tax provisions. The change directly affects local governments and property owners by restricting how these entities can adjust tax rates for specific property-related programs. By inserting a new clause into the existing text, the legislation ensures that any special tax provisions cannot be financed through an increase in the standard property tax rate. This measure aims to limit the ability of local officials to modify tax structures for these specific purposes without additional legislative approval.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Cosmetology Law to explicitly include natural hair braiders in its licensing requirements. It mandates that individuals performing natural hair braiding must obtain a cosmetology license and work only in licensed salons, while also prohibiting the rental of booths within those establishments. The legislation clarifies that these rules apply solely to those whose business is dedicated to braiding and does not affect emergency services, medical professionals, or licensed barbers. Additionally, the bill establishes specific eligibility criteria for taking the required examination and outlines the fees and renewal processes for these new licenses.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires healthcare providers, including physicians and midwives, to offer pregnant and postpartum patients a standardized screening tool for mood and anxiety disorders in their primary language. It mandates that providers share information about available support resources with patients and, with consent, with their accompanying individuals or designated contacts. The legislation also directs the Department of Health to create a public awareness campaign about perinatal mental health and to maintain an updated list of counseling and assistance services.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Older Adult Mentor Volunteer Program to connect older adults with students in public schools, cyber charter schools, and other educational entities. The program requires schools to provide orientation guidelines to volunteers before they begin and mandates that mentors be matched with students based on shared interests, skills, or specific needs. Additionally, the legislation requires schools to obtain parental consent before linking a student with a volunteer and outlines the roles of the Department of Education and the Department of Aging in administering the initiative.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Real Estate Licensing and Registration Act to clarify the rules governing cemeteries owned by municipalities. It requires local governments to maintain cemetery grounds but explicitly prohibits them from operating these cemeteries for the purpose of selling plots or burial spaces to make a profit. The changes directly affect municipal authorities and real estate professionals who manage cemetery properties, ensuring that public land remains non-commercial. By adding a new section to the existing law, the legislation establishes clear boundaries between public maintenance duties and commercial real estate activities.