Rep. Ben Waxman

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a five-year pilot program to provide funding for restoring school libraries in Pennsylvania's low-achieving schools. Eligible schools can receive grants of up to $170,000 to purchase books, digital resources, and technology, as well as to hire or train certified school librarians. The Department of Education will select at least 12 schools representing diverse student demographics to participate, and the program requires annual reporting and an independent evaluation to assess its impact on student performance.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to authorize the creation of school-based health centers within public and private schools. These centers must remain open during school hours and cannot refuse care based on a student's ability to pay, insurance status, or existing primary care provider. Services are determined by school boards based on student demographics and needs, with strict requirements for parental consent and data confidentiality. The legislation also mandates the establishment of a statewide advisory council to oversee program operations and requires the Department of Health to collect usage and demographic data once funding is available.

Maddy summaryThis bill restricts public access to eviction records in Pennsylvania by automatically placing such files under limited access seven years after the case is filed or once a judgment is satisfied. It prohibits courts, landlords, and consumer reporting agencies from sharing these records with the public or using them in tenant screening reports, while still allowing access to the parties involved, their attorneys, and specific entities like nonprofit researchers. Landlords are required to notify the court within 30 days if a tenant pays a money judgment in full or vacates the property by the agreed date. The legislation also creates a private right of action for tenants, allowing them to seek damages of up to two months' rent or $5,000, whichever is greater, along with attorney fees, if their eviction records are improperly disclosed.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Municipal and Emergency Responder Solar Grant Program to provide financial assistance for solar energy projects at government facilities and emergency service locations such as fire stations and police departments. The Department of Environmental Protection will administer the program on a competitive basis, offering grants to cover costs like equipment purchase, installation, and energy storage. To receive funding, applicants must submit a detailed proposal that includes a site assessment and an affidavit confirming that all construction contractors meet specific licensing, insurance, and safety training requirements. The Department is also tasked with developing application guidelines, providing technical assistance, and creating educational materials to help eligible entities navigate the process.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes price caps for bottled water sold at entertainment venues in Pennsylvania that require a ticket for entry. Starting in 2025, the law limits prices based on bottle size, ranging from $2 for 16 ounces or less to $4 for 24 ounces or more. The prices are set to automatically adjust every five years based on regional inflation data, and venues that violate these limits face fines of up to 10% of the event's total ticket sales.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Municipalities Financial Recovery Act to update how receivers manage distressed municipalities. It specifically requires that before a receiver can sell, lease, or dispose of a municipality's assets, they must obtain approval from 75% of the governing bodies of neighboring municipalities that share service agreements or rely on the distressed entity for water or sewer services. The law mandates that this approval be granted through a formal resolution passed by a majority vote at a public meeting, with results sent within 48 hours. These changes aim to ensure that communities directly affected by asset sales have a significant voice in the decision-making process.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania zoning laws to allow municipalities with over 5,000 residents in growing counties to create rules for multiple-unit housing. It directly affects local governments in these specific areas by expanding their authority to regulate apartment and condominium developments. The key provision adds new eligibility criteria based on population size and recent growth, removing previous restrictions that limited these zoning options. This change aims to provide a clearer legal framework for communities seeking to increase housing density in response to population increases.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania bill prohibits the intentional addition of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as PFAS, to a wide range of consumer products including cookware, cosmetics, food packaging, and artificial turf. While the law generally bans these chemicals, it allows for their use in specific items if the Department of Environmental Protection determines that no safer alternative exists and the chemical is critical for the product's function. The Department of Environmental Protection is tasked with enforcing these restrictions, managing a public database of PFAS information, and imposing penalties for violations.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a resolution that asks the Pennsylvania House of Representatives to officially recognize June 2024 as "National Immigrant Heritage Month" within the state. It aims to honor the contributions of immigrants and their descendants by highlighting their roles in the economy, healthcare, military service, and innovation. The measure does not create new laws or change policies but instead serves as a symbolic gesture to celebrate diversity and acknowledge the historical and ongoing impact of immigrants on Pennsylvania's communities. After being referred to the Housing and Community Development committee, the bill was reported as committed and subsequently laid on the table, ending its immediate legislative process.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code to update the legal definitions of "compensation" and "domestic abuse" for personal income tax purposes. It clarifies that compensation includes various forms of payment like salaries, bonuses, and specific deferred income, while explicitly excluding items such as retirement benefits, unemployment aid, and reimbursements for actual expenses. The legislation also provides a new definition for "domestic abuse" that covers physical, psychological, sexual, emotional, and economic harm, including efforts to control or isolate a victim. These updated definitions will allow individuals who have experienced domestic abuse to access certain tax provisions, such as early withdrawal from retirement accounts, without facing standard penalties. The changes take effect 60 days after the bill is enacted.