Rep. Jamie Flick

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates October 2024 as "Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Bird Migration Month" throughout Pennsylvania to highlight the state's natural history and the annual raptor migration. The measure recognizes Hawk Mountain Sanctuary as a globally significant site for bird conservation and education, noting its role in protecting migratory birds since the 1930s. By officially naming this period, the bill aims to encourage public appreciation of the region's wildlife and the sanctuary's ongoing stewardship efforts.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House resolution designates October 10, 2024, as the "National Day of the Republic of China (Taiwan)" within the state. The measure formally acknowledges Taiwan's cultural diversity, democratic values, and economic significance, particularly its role in global semiconductor supply chains. By citing the Taiwan Relations Act and existing state-level trade partnerships, the bill highlights the long-standing relationship between Pennsylvania and Taiwan. Ultimately, this is a commemorative action that recognizes the date as a celebration of Taiwan's societal achievements and its contribution to peace and stability.

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 Pennsylvania House Resolution designates September 2024 as "Childhood Cancer Awareness Month" to highlight the impact of the disease on young people and their families. The measure does not create new laws or alter funding but serves as a symbolic gesture to raise public awareness and honor those affected by childhood cancer. It encourages residents to support the cause and acknowledges the state's existing medical facilities and research contributions in the fight against the illness.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates November 15, 2024, as "Brenda Banks Day" in Pennsylvania to honor Brenda Banks, a student-athlete at Panther Valley High School. The bill recognizes her historic achievement of winning the first-ever statewide girls' wrestling championship and her subsequent victory at the national junior wrestling championship. By passing this measure, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives officially acknowledges her accomplishments without altering any laws or policies.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House Resolution designates November 2024 as "Veterans and Military Families Month" to honor the state's large veteran population and their families. The measure serves as a symbolic gesture to acknowledge the sacrifices made by service members and to highlight the support provided by the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. It does not create new laws or funding but directs a copy of the resolution to the relevant state department for record-keeping.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Online Safety Protection Act, requires businesses that provide online services likely to be used by children to prioritize the privacy, safety, and well-being of minors over commercial interests. Companies covered by the law must conduct data protection impact assessments to ensure their products do not cause foreseeable physical, financial, or psychological harm, nor engage in discriminatory practices or use deceptive design tricks called dark patterns. The legislation also defines specific rules for how personal information can be collected and sold, while excluding deidentified data and publicly available information from these restrictions. Penalties are imposed on entities that fail to comply with these duties to protect children's best interests.

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 designates a specific stretch of State Route 3037 in Sewickley Township as the PFC Earl "Butch" Long Memorial Highway to honor a local soldier who died during the Vietnam War. The legislation requires the Department of Transportation to install and maintain signs displaying this new name for traffic traveling in both directions. The act also includes a section detailing the life and military service of Private First Class Long, who was killed in action in 1967 and is buried in Westmoreland County. This measure is a commemorative resolution that does not alter traffic laws or funding but serves to recognize the individual's sacrifice through official naming.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's domestic relations laws to redefine marriage as a civil contract between two individuals, removing the previous legal requirement that it be between one man and one woman. It directly affects couples by eliminating state barriers to same-sex marriage and repeals the specific provision that declared such unions void within the Commonwealth. The legislation also updates the statutory definition of marriage to reflect this inclusive language while removing the section that stated it was public policy to restrict marriage to opposite-sex couples.