Rep. Jim Rigby

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania bill authorizes the Department of Corrections to issue electronic control gloves to corrections officers, with mandatory distribution required for officers working in units housing inmates who have received disciplinary sanctions and are segregated from the general population. The legislation mandates that the department create public written policies for the use, training, maintenance, and storage of these devices and requires all officers to complete an approved training course before receiving them. Additionally, the bill defines electronic control gloves as gloves with electrodes that emit less than 500 volts to temporarily immobilize or restrain individuals and requires their use to comply with existing state guidelines on law enforcement use of force.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Crematory Regulation Act, establishes new safety standards for crematories in Pennsylvania that began construction after April 17, 1989. It requires these facilities to use an interlock system that prevents loading remains until the secondary chamber reaches and maintains a temperature of 1600 degrees Fahrenheit. Additionally, the law mandates that operators monitor incinerator temperatures during use and prohibits the state from requiring higher temperatures in general permits. The Department of Environmental Protection is tasked with adopting specific regulations to oversee these monitoring requirements.

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 modifies Pennsylvania's tax laws by adjusting personal income tax rates and eliminating a specific tax on the gross receipts from the sale of electric energy. It requires electric utilities to pass the savings from these tax changes directly to consumers through reductions in state tax surcharges, with civil penalties of up to $5,000 for companies that fail to do so. Additionally, the legislation mandates that $6 million annually be transferred to the Alternative Fuels Incentive Fund starting in the 2024-2025 fiscal year. The bill also establishes a revenue-neutral reconciliation rule that will remain in effect until the end of 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Pennsylvania's Human Services Code to establish a system of copayments for families receiving subsidized child care. The primary mechanism involves setting weekly fees that vary based on a family's income, with the amount capped at a specific percentage of their annual earnings. Additionally, the legislation allows for reduced copayments for parents who work additional wage-earning hours beyond minimum requirements, provided they meet certain income and documentation standards. Families must have an annual income below a defined threshold to qualify for these subsidies, and the department retains the discretion to adjust fee structures and eligibility limits based on available funding.