Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's Sign Language Interpreter and Transliterator State Registration Act to expand its scope to include individuals serving deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing people. It introduces new definitions for key terms like "video remote interpreting" and establishes specific standards for recognizing national certifications from organizations such as the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf. The legislation mandates that anyone providing these services must be registered with the Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, with exceptions made for religious settings, emergency situations, and supervised academic internships. Additionally, the bill requires the office to annually review and publish a list of approved educational alternative pathway programs.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill designates October 18, 2024, as "Willie Thrower Day" throughout Pennsylvania to honor the legacy of Willie Lee Thrower, Sr. The resolution recognizes Thrower as the first African-American quarterback to take a snap in modern NFL history and acknowledges his achievements, including winning a national championship with Michigan State. It follows a similar designation made in 2023 for New Kensington and builds on existing tributes like historical markers and statues already present in the state. The measure is a commemorative action that does not create new laws or funding but serves to officially celebrate Thrower's contributions to sports.
Maddy summaryThis bill is a resolution that officially recognizes August 17, 2024, as "International Geocaching Day" within Pennsylvania. It does not create new laws or change government operations, but rather serves to acknowledge the date and promote geocaching as a safe, family-friendly outdoor activity. The text highlights the health benefits of the hobby and notes the presence of thousands of geocaching sites in Pennsylvania's state parks and forests.
Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House Resolution directs the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to study the state court system's financial stability and its reliance on fines and fees. The study will examine how different states fund their courts, analyze the impact of fee dependence on various socioeconomic groups, and quantify the costs associated with collecting these fees and enforcing related penalties. The committee is required to consult with other states and relevant organizations before submitting a report with findings and recommendations to legislative leadership within 18 months.
Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania resolution designates August 21, 2024, as "National Senior Citizens Day" to honor the state's 2.5 million residents aged 65 and older. The measure encourages all residents to personally check in with their elderly loved ones and express appreciation for their contributions. It does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic gesture to raise awareness about the challenges seniors face, such as isolation and limited income.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Municipalities Planning Code to improve how large land developments are reviewed and approved. It requires developers of significant projects to notify neighboring towns early, allowing those towns to request impact studies if they believe the project will affect them. The legislation also sets a strict 90-day deadline for local governments to decide on plat applications, while permitting extensions if an impact study or mitigation plan is needed. Finally, it mandates that final plat approval cannot occur until streets and essential infrastructure are completed or a financial guarantee is posted to cover future costs.
Maddy summaryThis bill introduces restorative justice as a formal sentencing option in Pennsylvania courts, allowing judges to order it either as the sole punishment or alongside traditional penalties like probation or confinement. The legislation defines restorative justice as a participatory process involving victims, offenders, community members, and trained facilitators to address harm, resolve conflicts, and repair relationships through methods such as conferences or circles. By adding specific definitions and procedures to state law, the bill ensures that courts consider this approach when determining sentences, provided all participants voluntarily agree to take part.
Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Online Safety Protection Act, requires businesses that provide online services likely to be used by children to prioritize the privacy, safety, and well-being of minors over commercial interests. Companies covered by the law must conduct data protection impact assessments to ensure their products do not cause foreseeable physical, financial, or psychological harm, nor engage in discriminatory practices or use deceptive design tricks called dark patterns. The legislation also defines specific rules for how personal information can be collected and sold, while excluding deidentified data and publicly available information from these restrictions. Penalties are imposed on entities that fail to comply with these duties to protect children's best interests.
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 bill expands the scope of practice for pharmacists in Pennsylvania by allowing them to administer injectable medications, biologicals, and immunizations to patients aged three and older. It establishes new requirements for training, parental consent for minors, and reporting procedures while also permitting pharmacists to delegate these tasks to specific healthcare professionals and qualified pharmacy technicians under strict supervision. Additionally, the legislation grants pharmacies with existing federal waivers the ability to perform certain laboratory tests for common illnesses like COVID-19 and the flu without adhering to some state clinical laboratory regulations.