Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code to update and expand the rules for city revitalization and improvement zones, which are designated areas intended to spur economic development and job creation. It primarily affects cities with at least 20,000 residents and establishes a "contracting authority" to manage these zones, including the power to designate specific areas and oversee construction projects. The legislation clarifies definitions for various terms, outlines the types of taxes that can be used for zone funding, and sets new guidelines for how baseline calculations and financial transfers are handled within these districts. Additionally, the bill introduces provisions for "floating zones," which allow for more flexible designation of areas, and ensures confidentiality regarding Commonwealth pledges related to these initiatives.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill formally recognizes June 14, 2024, as "World Blood Donor Day" within the state of Pennsylvania. It serves as a commemorative resolution intended to raise awareness about the critical need for volunteer blood donors to support local hospitals and cancer patients. The text highlights statistics regarding blood donation frequency, the high demand for O-type blood, and the low current participation rates among eligible residents. By designating this specific date, the legislation aims to encourage community engagement with blood drives rather than implementing new operational rules or funding.
Maddy summaryPennsylvania House Bill 1684 updates state laws regarding child custody by establishing clearer definitions for terms like "equal parenting time" and "supervised physical custody." The bill introduces a rebuttable presumption that shared physical custody and equal parenting time are in a child's best interest during temporary custody orders, requiring courts to maximize time with each parent unless specific factors suggest otherwise. It also outlines new procedures for obtaining temporary custody orders based on affidavits and agreements, while expanding the list of factors judges must consider, including any criminal convictions of the parents. These changes aim to standardize how courts evaluate custody arrangements and ensure that parenting plans are explicitly detailed in legal orders.
Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's Human Services Code to establish specific criminal penalties for individuals who make false statements to receive public assistance or food stamps. It creates a tiered penalty system where the severity of the crime depends on the amount of aid obtained, ranging from a third-degree misdemeanor for smaller amounts to a third-degree felony for cases involving $3,000 or more. Additionally, the legislation assigns jurisdiction over third-degree misdemeanor cases to district justices rather than higher courts. The changes are designed to clarify legal consequences for fraud and ensure appropriate court handling of these offenses.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Pennsylvania statutes regarding driver licensing to update the title of the Office of General Counsel within the Department of Justice. It also removes a specific section of text from the original draft of the legislation. These changes are administrative and technical, focusing on correcting the bill's language rather than altering the core policies for drivers or the Medical Advisory Board.
Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania bill, known as the Contract Automatic Renewal Act, requires vendors to clearly disclose and notify consumers about contract terms that automatically renew for more than six months. The law mandates that these renewal clauses be highlighted in bold text and that consumers receive written notice at least 30 days before the renewal takes effect, along with specific instructions on how to cancel the agreement. If a business or contract is sold, the new owner must inform the customer within 60 days and provide an opportunity to opt out of the automatic renewal. Contracts that fail to meet these disclosure and notification standards will be considered void and unenforceable in the state. The legislation applies to most consumer service contracts but excludes specific industries such as insurance, utilities, and banking.
Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency to create a tracking system for publicly financed housing across the state. The agency must establish an online database that lists property addresses, owner information, and the anticipated dates when affordability restrictions on these homes may expire. Additionally, the database will include details on whether owners can extend these restrictions and any modifications made to them. The agency is required to update this information quarterly and submit annual reports to the Governor summarizing the status of these properties.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's existing Assistance and Service Animal Integrity Act to clarify definitions and establish a formal system for documenting service dogs. It creates a new trained service animal card and a corresponding database managed by the Department of Health to verify the credentials of service animals entering public accommodations. The legislation also updates rules for housing, allowing landlords to request written documentation from tenants only when a disability is not obvious, while providing immunity from liability for injuries caused by registered service animals.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a grant program to provide menstrual hygiene products to students in Pennsylvania public schools without charge. It directs the Department of Education to award funding to school districts that have at least 50% of their students eligible for free or reduced-cost lunch, allowing recipients to purchase items like tampons and pads or install dispensing machines. The program requires that these products be accessible to all students regardless of their gender identity and mandates that schools report how the funds are spent. A total of $100,000 is appropriated from the state's General Fund to support this initiative.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires Pennsylvania schools to create and distribute mental health awareness materials specifically for student athletes, their parents, and coaches. It mandates that these groups sign an acknowledgment form each year confirming they have reviewed information about mental health warning signs and available resources. Additionally, the law requires coaches to complete an approved mental health training course annually before they can lead any athletic activity. Schools may also hold informational meetings at the start of each season to discuss these topics with students, families, and staff. Coaches who fail to complete the required training face suspensions that increase in severity with each violation, ranging from the remainder of the current season to permanent removal from coaching.