Maddy summaryThis bill strengthens Pennsylvania's protection from abuse laws by expanding the types of relief courts can grant and clarifying procedures for emergency situations. It allows final protection orders to explicitly include provisions protecting companion animals from abuse, harassment, or relocation, and grants courts the authority to order temporary ownership of these animals during disputes. The legislation also enables hearing officers in certain counties to issue immediate emergency relief when regular courts are unavailable, ensuring faster protection for victims in urgent circumstances. Additionally, the bill clarifies that police officers can make warrantless arrests for violating protection orders based on probable cause, even if the violation is not witnessed directly by the officer. These changes aim to provide more comprehensive and timely safety measures for individuals and their pets facing domestic abuse.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's laws to modernize the state's 911 emergency communication systems by establishing clear definitions for new technologies and services. It creates a framework for Next Generation 911, which allows emergency calls to be handled via voice, text, and video, and sets rules for how location data is collected and shared with emergency responders. The legislation also outlines how 911 service providers and prepaid wireless sellers must collect and remit surcharges to fund these emergency services. Additionally, the bill clarifies the roles of various entities involved in 911 management, such as addressing authorities and network operators, while repealing older rules related to business telephone systems and temporary residences.
Maddy summaryThis law prohibits people in Pennsylvania from owning, using, or selling devices that can swap or hide a vehicle's license plate. The ban covers any tool, whether manual or electric, that allows a driver to change the plate shown on their car or flip it to make the number invisible. Anyone caught with or operating such a device faces a summary offense charge and a fine of up to $2,000. The rule applies to the possession, installation, sale, or distribution of these plate-flipping tools. The law became effective 60 days after it was signed into law.
Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's Poultry Technician Licensure Law to expand the role of certified technicians in collecting regulatory samples from poultry and eggs for disease surveillance. It allows the Secretary of Agriculture to license technicians who have completed specific training and can legally work in the U.S., while also permitting the department to offer Spanish-language training. The legislation increases the licensing and renewal fees from $5 to $10 and grants the Secretary broader authority to set rules, suspend, or revoke licenses for incompetence or non-compliance. Additionally, the bill removes a previous restriction that prohibited licensed technicians from being employed by the poultry owners whose birds they inspect.
Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Pennsylvania's Main Street Act to clarify the funding timeline for downtown commercial enhancement programs. It allows grants to cover administrative costs, such as hiring a manager, for an initial period of up to five years, with the possibility of extending this duration by another five years upon approval. The change directly affects local organizations and businesses participating in the state's commercial revitalization efforts by providing a clearer framework for long-term grant support.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new chapter within Pennsylvania's emergency management laws to formalize counterterrorism planning, preparedness, and response efforts. It creates structures for regional and statewide teams, including specialized medical and mortuary units, to handle potential terrorist incidents or disasters. The legislation defines specific agreements that allow local governments and private entities to contribute personnel and resources while receiving compensation and access to state communication centers. Additionally, the bill incorporates federal standards for incident management and authorizes the construction of necessary facilities to support these new emergency response capabilities.
Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania laws to protect the rights and health of pregnant and postpartum individuals in juvenile facilities and correctional institutions. It establishes new rules that limit the use of isolation, restrict invasive body cavity searches, and mandate specific training for staff working with these populations. The legislation also requires facilities to create reporting systems to track the status of pregnant detainees and includes provisions for menstrual hygiene products and postpartum recovery care. Additionally, the bill repeals older rules regarding Department of Human Services facilities to align with these updated standards.
Maddy summaryThis bill updates the definition of "income" within Pennsylvania's State Lottery Law to determine eligibility for pharmaceutical assistance for the elderly. It explicitly includes various sources of money like pensions, Social Security benefits, and interest, while excluding items such as surplus food, savings bond principal, and veterans' benefits. By clarifying what counts as income, the law helps officials accurately assess which seniors qualify for lottery-funded prescription drug aid. The changes take effect on July 1, 2024, or later if that date is not reached.
Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law to strengthen rules against deceptive automatic renewal policies. It requires businesses to clearly disclose future pricing changes and deadlines for cancellation in bold text, while also prohibiting the intentional misrepresentation of renewal terms. The law expands its scope to cover entities regulated by federal agencies like the FCC and PUC, as well as those involved in natural gas and electric utility markets. Ultimately, these changes aim to ensure consumers receive transparent information when signing up for recurring services or subscriptions.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Returning Heroes Supplemental Tax Credit Program in Pennsylvania to provide additional state tax credits to businesses that hire qualified veterans. To qualify, a taxpayer must receive a federal Work Opportunity Tax Credit for a veteran and submit an application with proof by September 15 of the relevant year. Eligible businesses can receive a supplemental credit of up to $2,000 per veteran, which can be carried forward for up to 15 years if not fully used in the current tax year. The program is limited to a total of $20,000,000 per fiscal year and is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Additionally, the bill requires the Department of Revenue to publish an annual report listing all businesses that received these credits and the amounts approved.