Rep. Dan Williams

Maddy summaryThis bill directs Pennsylvania's Human Services department to apply for a federal waiver that would allow SNAP and WIC benefit recipients to use their funds to buy diapers or menstrual hygiene products. The legislation authorizes the department to adopt necessary rules once the USDA approves the waiver, ensuring the state can participate in this potential program change. It does not immediately change how benefits are used but establishes the legal framework to implement such a waiver if federal approval is granted.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House resolution directs the Joint State Government Commission to create an advisory committee and conduct a comprehensive study on artificial intelligence. The proposed committee includes representatives from various state agencies, labor unions, academic institutions, and technical experts to examine AI's benefits, risks, and potential impacts on the state. The study will assess how AI is currently used, evaluate its effects on employment and disinformation, and propose regulations for its responsible development within Pennsylvania government and society. Ultimately, the commission must submit a report with recommendations on whether to establish a permanent oversight body and how to allocate rights between workers and employers regarding AI implementation.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House resolution officially designates November 5, 2024, as Jason Kelce's birthday and December 13, 2024, as Fletcher Cox's birthday. The measure honors the careers of these two former Philadelphia Eagles players, who are recognized for their contributions to the team's success and their extensive charitable work in the community. By formally acknowledging their achievements and retirement, the resolution aims to celebrate their impact on the state and the city of Philadelphia.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Victims of Violence Safe Employment Act, creates a new right for Pennsylvania employees and their family members to take unpaid leave after experiencing violence, sexual violence, stalking, or abuse of a vulnerable adult. The law allows victims to take this leave to seek medical care, attend court proceedings, or recover from the trauma of the incident, with employers prohibited from retaliating against them for using the leave. Employers are required to provide this leave without requiring the employee to prove the incident resulted in a criminal conviction, relying instead on documentation from law enforcement, healthcare providers, or victim advocates. Additionally, the bill establishes penalties for employers who violate these protections and creates a legal cause of action for employees to sue for damages if they face retaliation.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new eligibility rules for nonprofit corporations in Pennsylvania that receive state contracts, funding, or grants. To qualify, these organizations must have at least 200 employees in the state and must not have violated federal fair labor standards or committed unfair labor practices within the last five years. Additionally, the nonprofit's bylaws must require that at least 20% of its governing board consists of current employees elected by the workforce. The law does not apply to healthcare-related state payments like Medicaid reimbursements and will take effect 60 days after passage.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania bill expands stalking laws and introduces a new crime called unauthorized location tracking to address privacy concerns regarding digital surveillance. The stalking provisions clarify that repeated acts intended to cause fear or emotional distress are criminal offenses, with penalties increasing to a felony for repeat offenders or those with prior violent convictions. Additionally, the bill makes it a misdemeanor to use technology to monitor another person's location without permission, though it includes specific exceptions for law enforcement investigations, court-ordered supervision, and parents tracking their own children. These changes aim to provide clearer legal tools for protecting individuals from harassment and invasive tracking while allowing for legitimate uses like parental monitoring and fleet management.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Pennsylvania Small Business Innovation Grant and Small Business Technology Transfer Matching Funds Program to offer financial support to local small businesses participating in federal research initiatives. Administered by the Department of Community and Economic Development, the program provides matching grants of up to $50,000 to businesses that have received Phase I awards from the Small Business Administration for federal research projects. To qualify, companies must be headquartered in Pennsylvania, commit to keeping at least 51% of their research work within the state, and submit specific reports demonstrating their ability to advance the project to Phase II. The legislation also sets limits on funding, allowing each business to receive only one grant per year and a maximum of five total awards, with funds released in installments tied to project milestones.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Pennsylvania government agencies to prioritize using insecticide-free native plants over non-native options when landscaping state facilities. It mandates that these agencies consider the environmental benefits of such plants, including habitat creation for pollinators and reduced water usage, during construction and maintenance projects. Additionally, the law directs the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to create specific pollinator meadows on unused turfgrass areas at Commonwealth facilities. The legislation defines specific terms like "pollinator meadow" and lists various state departments and entities that must follow these new planting guidelines.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands Pennsylvania's existing Wild Resource Conservation Act to specifically include wild native terrestrial invertebrates, such as land-dwelling insects and other non-aquatic animals without backbones, under state protection. It directs the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to investigate these species' populations and habitats, classify them as endangered, threatened, or vulnerable, and establish a formal management system. Once classified, the department will create regulations within two years that limit activities like taking, selling, or transporting these invertebrates to ensure their survival. The law also officially defines these creatures as "wild resources" and sets the bill into effect 60 days after it is signed.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania laws regarding inheritance to prevent individuals who kill others or commit elder abuse from profiting from their crimes. It specifically bars people convicted of murdering a victim or abusing an elderly person from receiving any property, benefits, or inheritance that would normally pass to them. The legislation treats these individuals as if they died before the victim for the purpose of distributing assets, while also defining specific rules for how shared property like joint accounts or tenancies are handled in these cases. By amending the state's decedents, estates, and fiduciaries statutes, the law ensures that assets left by victims go to their rightful heirs rather than to those who harmed them.