Rep. Tarah Probst

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new eligibility rules for nonprofit corporations in Pennsylvania that receive state contracts, funding, or grants. To qualify, these organizations must have at least 200 employees in the state and must not have violated federal fair labor standards or committed unfair labor practices within the last five years. Additionally, the nonprofit's bylaws must require that at least 20% of its governing board consists of current employees elected by the workforce. The law does not apply to healthcare-related state payments like Medicaid reimbursements and will take effect 60 days after passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a resolution that asks the U.S. House of Representatives to officially recognize October 10, 2024, as "National Day of the Republic of China (Taiwan)" within the state of Pennsylvania. It does not change any laws or alter the status of Taiwan but instead serves as a symbolic gesture to acknowledge Taiwan's cultural diversity, democratic values, and economic partnership with Pennsylvania. The text cites various achievements and trade statistics to highlight the relationship between the two regions before calling for the specific date recognition.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania bill expands stalking laws and introduces a new crime called unauthorized location tracking to address privacy concerns regarding digital surveillance. The stalking provisions clarify that repeated acts intended to cause fear or emotional distress are criminal offenses, with penalties increasing to a felony for repeat offenders or those with prior violent convictions. Additionally, the bill makes it a misdemeanor to use technology to monitor another person's location without permission, though it includes specific exceptions for law enforcement investigations, court-ordered supervision, and parents tracking their own children. These changes aim to provide clearer legal tools for protecting individuals from harassment and invasive tracking while allowing for legitimate uses like parental monitoring and fleet management.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes rules for how Pennsylvania can use money from the Veterans' Trust Fund. It prohibits the state from using these funds to pay salaries for administrative staff working at veterans' or charitable organizations, though medical care providers are exempt from this restriction. Additionally, the law limits grants or assistance to any single organization to a maximum of $250,000 over a three-year period. These changes apply immediately to the State Veterans' Commission and the Deputy Adjutant General for Veterans' Affairs.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House resolution designates June 23, 2024, as "Widows' and Widowers' Day" to acknowledge the approximately 681,800 widowed individuals in the state. The measure expresses condolences to those who have lost a spouse and encourages them to seek support from family, friends, and counselors. It does not create any new laws or change existing programs but serves as a symbolic gesture to raise awareness about the challenges faced by widowed residents.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Pennsylvania government agencies to prioritize using insecticide-free native plants over non-native options when landscaping state facilities. It mandates that these agencies consider the environmental benefits of such plants, including habitat creation for pollinators and reduced water usage, during construction and maintenance projects. Additionally, the law directs the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to create specific pollinator meadows on unused turfgrass areas at Commonwealth facilities. The legislation defines specific terms like "pollinator meadow" and lists various state departments and entities that must follow these new planting guidelines.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands Pennsylvania's existing Wild Resource Conservation Act to specifically include wild native terrestrial invertebrates, such as land-dwelling insects and other non-aquatic animals without backbones, under state protection. It directs the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to investigate these species' populations and habitats, classify them as endangered, threatened, or vulnerable, and establish a formal management system. Once classified, the department will create regulations within two years that limit activities like taking, selling, or transporting these invertebrates to ensure their survival. The law also officially defines these creatures as "wild resources" and sets the bill into effect 60 days after it is signed.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates August 19, 2024, as "Marion Munley Day" throughout Pennsylvania to honor the legacy of the late state representative. It recognizes Munley's historic achievements, including becoming the first woman elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from northeastern Pennsylvania and the first woman to serve as Secretary of the House. The document highlights her significant contributions to women's rights, such as co-authoring the state's Equal Pay Law, and aims to commemorate her life and work in promoting equality.

Maddy summaryThis resolution officially recognizes August 9, 2024, as Smokey Bear's 80th birthday within the state of Pennsylvania. It serves as a commemorative gesture to honor the iconic character, who is widely known for his long-running public service campaign on wildfire prevention. The document highlights Smokey Bear's cultural significance and his role in educating the public about fire safety, while also noting the importance of Pennsylvania's forests for the economy and environment.

Maddy summaryHB 350 updates Pennsylvania's domestic relations laws to modernize how parentage is established and how parental rights are handled in adoption and support cases. The bill enacts the Uniform Parentage Act, which introduces new procedures for voluntary acknowledgment of parentage, genetic testing, and legal processes for assisted reproduction and surrogacy. It also repeals older sections regarding paternity acknowledgment and clarifies the rules for terminating parental rights when a father does not contest an adoption hearing. Additionally, the legislation expands the legal grounds for courts to exercise jurisdiction over nonresident parents and ensures clearer notice requirements for all parties involved in these proceedings.