Rep. Dan Williams

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 bill creates a new tax credit for active-duty military personnel, National Guard members, and reservists to encourage fitness spending. It allows these service members to claim up to $600 per year against their state income tax for costs related to sports and fitness activities, such as gym memberships or exercise equipment. The legislation also adds specific rules to the tax code that permit businesses to deduct the cost of providing free or discounted gym memberships to qualified military individuals, provided the discount does not exceed the standard membership price paid by others. These changes apply to tax years beginning after December 31, 2023, and are administered by the Department of Revenue.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's personal income tax code to exclude specific student loan forgiveness amounts from taxation. It directly affects borrowers who receive loan discharge through federally qualified programs and employers providing educational assistance. The legislation defines eligible loans as those issued under federal student assistance laws and limits tax-free forgiveness to programs established by the federal Department of Education. These tax exemptions will apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's Uniform Parcel Identifier Law to establish a clear fee structure for counties that create uniform land identification systems. It requires local officials to charge a flat fee for each parcel identifier assigned and limits the total cost for recording any single document to $10,000, regardless of how many parcels are involved. The changes apply to counties that have already enacted ordinances to set up these modern land record systems to help with property transfers and tax assessments. The new fee rules will take effect 60 days after the bill becomes law.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new Earned Paid Leave Act that requires employers to allow employees to accrue and use paid time off after working for 90 days. Under the program, workers earn one hour of paid leave for every 40 hours worked, with a maximum cap of 40 hours per year, and they must be paid their regular rate of pay while on leave. The legislation also creates a Small Business Grant Program and assigns specific duties to the Department of Labor and Industry for administering the law and enforcing penalties for violations.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House resolution designates September 29, 2024, as "VFW Day" to honor the Veterans of Foreign Wars organization. The measure commemorates the date the VFW was founded in 1899 and acknowledges the group's history of advocating for veterans' rights and benefits. It encourages all Pennsylvanians to recognize and support the VFW and its members for their service to veterans and the community.

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 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 updates the membership rules for Pennsylvania's State Veterans' Commission to ensure broader representation of different veteran groups. It mandates that the commission include representatives from sixteen specific national veterans' organizations, such as the American Legion and VFW, along with four members appointed by the Governor who must be female or Vietnam-era veterans. The legislation also clarifies the roles of state-level leaders from the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, and Veterans of Foreign Wars as nonvoting members. These changes aim to modernize the commission's composition while maintaining its existing structure under Pennsylvania law.