Rep. Greg Scott

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Municipal Code and Ordinance Compliance Act by removing language that previously allowed landlords to withhold rent. The change directly affects tenants and landlords by eliminating the specific provision that authorized rent withholding as a remedy. Consequently, the bill alters the legal framework for tenant protections without adding new rights or obligations.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's child custody laws by refining the specific factors judges must consider when deciding custody arrangements. It places a strong emphasis on evaluating the safety of the child, particularly regarding past abuse, the risk of future harm, and any attempts by a parent to turn the child against the other parent. The legislation also clarifies how courts should weigh a child's own preferences based on their maturity and assesses practical issues like parental work schedules, proximity of homes, and the ability to meet the child's daily needs. These changes aim to provide clearer guidance for courts in determining the best interests of the child during custody disputes.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a five-year pilot program to provide funding for restoring school libraries in Pennsylvania's low-achieving schools. Eligible schools can receive grants of up to $170,000 to purchase books, digital resources, and technology, as well as to hire or train certified school librarians. The Department of Education will select at least 12 schools representing diverse student demographics to participate, and the program requires annual reporting and an independent evaluation to assess its impact on student performance.

Maddy summaryThis bill restricts public access to eviction records in Pennsylvania by automatically placing such files under limited access seven years after the case is filed or once a judgment is satisfied. It prohibits courts, landlords, and consumer reporting agencies from sharing these records with the public or using them in tenant screening reports, while still allowing access to the parties involved, their attorneys, and specific entities like nonprofit researchers. Landlords are required to notify the court within 30 days if a tenant pays a money judgment in full or vacates the property by the agreed date. The legislation also creates a private right of action for tenants, allowing them to seek damages of up to two months' rent or $5,000, whichever is greater, along with attorney fees, if their eviction records are improperly disclosed.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Local Tax Enabling Act to improve the notification process for taxpayers with overdue taxes. It requires tax collectors to send at least one notice via registered or certified mail to taxpayers at least fifteen days before sending a demand to their employers. For delinquent earned income and net profits taxes, the bill mandates sending no fewer than two such notices. The costs associated with this certified or registered mail service will be added to the taxpayer's collection fees.

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 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 amends Pennsylvania zoning laws to allow municipalities with over 5,000 residents in growing counties to permit multi-family housing, specifically duplexes, triplexes, and quadplexes, on lots where single-family homes are allowed. The legislation requires that rules for these smaller multi-unit buildings cannot be more restrictive than those for single-family homes, while also defining specific criteria for what constitutes each housing type. Localities can petition a county or regional planning agency to review proposed developments to ensure existing infrastructure can support them, potentially requiring developers to make necessary improvements. The act applies only to municipalities meeting specific population and growth thresholds and takes effect 180 days after passage.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania bill prohibits the intentional addition of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as PFAS, to a wide range of consumer products including cookware, cosmetics, food packaging, and artificial turf. While the law generally bans these chemicals, it allows for their use in specific items if the Department of Environmental Protection determines that no safer alternative exists and the chemical is critical for the product's function. The Department of Environmental Protection is tasked with enforcing these restrictions, managing a public database of PFAS information, and imposing penalties for violations.

Maddy summaryHB 2353 establishes civil liability for entities that use artificial intelligence or other automated systems to create deceptive campaign advertisements featuring current or former candidates. The bill defines "covered persons" as firms, political committees, foreign governments, and individuals acting on their behalf, while also clarifying that generative AI and synthetic content like deepfakes fall under these regulations. To avoid liability, covered persons must provide clear and conspicuous disclosures stating that an advertisement contains manipulated or generated content, with specific formatting requirements for text, video, and audio formats. If a covered person fails to provide such a disclosure and is found liable, the law requires the immediate removal of the advertisement and imposes financial penalties based on the jurisdiction where the candidate filed with election officials.