Rep. Gary Day

Maddy summaryHB 1265 revises Pennsylvania's teacher certification rules under the Public School Code, effective after December 31, 2027. It establishes four new certificate types with defined grade spans: Early Childhood (pre-K to grade 3), Elementary/Middle (K-8 with subject limits in upper grades), Middle/Secondary (grades 6-12), and Specialized Areas (pre-K to grade 12). Existing certificates remain valid, and current teacher preparation program students enrolled before December 31, 2025, may complete under prior rules. The bill directly affects public school teachers, certification programs, and the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

Maddy summaryHB 962 allows eligible organizations, such as charities and non-profits, to conduct virtual raffles and drawings using electronic payments like credit cards or mobile apps. The bill requires organizations to verify that participants are physically in Pennsylvania, are at least 18 years old, and provide accurate identity information through methods like government ID checks. It also restricts how winners are announced - only simple internet-based conferencing (e.g., Zoom) without animations, images, or slot machine technology can be used. These rules aim to modernize virtual game operations while ensuring compliance with state and federal gambling laws.

Maddy summaryHB 247 amends Pennsylvania's eminent domain laws to improve notice procedures for property owners (condemnees) and government entities (condemnors). It requires certified mail with return receipt for all critical notices, including condemnation filings, viewer appointments, and hearing schedules, replacing previous "registered mail" standards. This ensures verifiable delivery of notices to property owners, mortgagees, and lienholders at least 30 days before hearings. The bill directly affects anyone involved in eminent domain proceedings, making the process more transparent and trackable. It takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 249 requires Pennsylvania school entities (including districts, charter schools, and career schools) to develop a written school counseling plan focused on academic and career development for all students. The plan, created by a certified counselor, must include four components: foundation (vision/goals), management (data-driven), delivery (direct services like classroom instruction and individual counseling), and accountability (regular analysis), while excluding medical guidance, social and emotional learning, critical race theory, and behavioral health from its framework. School counselors must dedicate sufficient time to direct services (e.g., student counseling) and indirect services (e.g., parent consultations), and the plan must be reviewed annually with input from school staff, parents, and students. This bill directly affects schools and counselors by standardizing counseling services under state-mandated requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 252 requires Pennsylvania school entities (like districts, charter schools, and cyber schools) to obtain written parental permission before students can access or use any mental health services digital platform. Schools must provide parents a 30-day written notice detailing the platform’s purpose, structure, and practices before implementation, including clear information on how to grant or withdraw consent. Parents can revoke permission anytime in writing, and schools must immediately stop facilitating platform access upon receipt of withdrawal. The bill also ensures parents may request to be present during their child’s use of the platform (unless documented cause for exclusion exists) and access or delete student data collected via the platform per federal privacy laws.

Maddy summaryHB 248 requires Pennsylvania public schools to provide parents or legal guardians with specific information about student clubs and organizations (including mission, activities, faculty advisor, and meeting details) at least two weeks before participation begins. Schools must obtain written parental permission for students to join any club or organization, and parents may withdraw permission at any time in writing. The bill mandates that consent forms be simple and accessible, prohibiting schools from making withdrawal more difficult than granting permission. This applies to all school-sponsored clubs, including cheerleading, band, and chorus, directly affecting parents, students, and school boards under the Public School Code.

Maddy summaryHB 189 amends Pennsylvania's vehicle registration law to exempt multipurpose agricultural vehicles from registration requirements. This change directly affects farmers who use such vehicles exclusively on their own farms or on highways connecting parts of a single farm or between two farms within 10 miles of each other. The bill specifies that these vehicles cannot be used for general public road travel outside of farm-related activities. The exemption applies only to vehicles owned or operated by the farm owner, not to commercial or non-agricultural vehicles. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.