Rep. Rich Irvin

Maddy summaryHB 685 requires Pennsylvania schools to accept U.S. currency as payment for admission to school-sponsored activities, such as athletic events, assemblies, or field trips. It applies to all school entities, including public school districts, charter schools, and private schools participating in school activities. The bill mandates that cash must be accepted when fees are charged, while allowing schools to also accept other payment methods like credit cards. It defines "cash" as U.S. coins and paper money recognized as legal tender and clarifies that schools may refuse payments in large denominations that exceed the fee amount.

Maddy summaryHB 699 requires Pennsylvania's Public Utility Commission to create new rules governing double utility poles (where multiple companies share one pole). It mandates annual registration for companies attaching infrastructure to poles, sets timelines for migrating facilities to new poles, and establishes procedures for compensating pole owners for relocation costs and removing abandoned attachments. The bill directly affects utility companies (electric, cable, telecom) and pole owners, requiring them to follow standardized processes for pole use, migration, and removal. Key provisions include annual registration, surety bonds for cost reimbursement, and civil penalties for noncompliance with the new rules. The legislation aims to address safety, efficiency, and aesthetics concerns related to long-term double-pole use.

Maddy summaryHB 606 requires Pennsylvania public and private schools to integrate "early human life development education" into biology courses starting in the 2025-2026 school year. This mandates including specific ultrasound videos showing fetal development at 8, 12, 17, 22, 27, 32, and 37 weeks' gestation, plus a computer-generated animation of fertilization and prenatal development stages. The bill applies to all school entities (districts, charters, cyber charters) and directly affects all K-12 students in Pennsylvania. It amends the 1949 Public School Code to standardize this curriculum component within existing biology requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 548 strengthens Pennsylvania's state preemption of local firearm regulations by declaring that all aspects of firearm regulation - including purchase, sale, possession, and transportation - must follow state law, invalidating any conflicting local ordinances. It directly affects counties, municipalities, and townships that previously enacted stricter gun rules, as well as residents, gun dealers, or organizations challenging such local laws. Key provisions include creating legal remedies for those harmed by illegal local regulations (allowing lawsuits for damages, attorney fees, and injunctions) and explicitly stating that state law supersedes all local efforts. The bill takes effect in 90 days for its core preemption rules, requiring local governments to align with state firearm laws immediately.

Maddy summaryHB 454 repeals Pennsylvania's requirement for a license to carry a firearm (openly or concealed) for most individuals, making it legal to carry without a license statewide, including in Philadelphia where previous restrictions on public streets and property are removed. The bill also repeals provisions about proof of license and related exceptions, while maintaining existing prohibitions for convicted felons and other restricted locations like schools. Additionally, it includes a new provision for a sportsman's firearm permit and specific regulations for antique firearms. The changes directly affect law-abiding Pennsylvanians who previously needed a license for general firearm carry.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Solid Waste Management Act to specifically regulate the handling and application of food processing residuals, such as food waste used in farming. It requires the Department of Agriculture and the State Conservation Commission to create a tiered system for managing these materials based on odor potential and to establish new standards for storage facilities and land application sites. Under the new rules, businesses must use certified haulers or brokers and maintain detailed data sheets that track the origin, composition, and transfer history of the residuals. The legislation also mandates that operators provide evidence of compliance with local zoning laws and implement specific odor mitigation measures to protect nearby communities.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Municipalities Planning Code to update the required contents of local subdivision and land development ordinances. Specifically, it allows municipalities to permit new residential homes that replace demolished one- or two-family dwellings to follow the setback rules of the original structure if the new building is substantially similar in use and design. The change applies to cities, boroughs, towns, and townships across the state and requires local governments to provide these specific setback standards to building permit applicants. The legislation becomes effective 60 days after its passage.

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 modifies state laws regarding student attendance to protect children from being removed from school when their guardians live outside the district or provide false residency information. It requires schools to offer a formal hearing and an opportunity to appeal before disenrolling any affected student, ensuring parents or guardians are informed of their rights under federal homeless student protections. The legislation also mandates that schools provide clear, understandable information about these rights and allows a court order to be the only other reason for immediate removal. Overall, the measure aims to ensure due process for families facing potential school enrollment issues while maintaining compliance with federal guidelines.

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.