Rep. David Rowe

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a curfew law for minors under 18 in Pennsylvania municipalities, making it a summary offense for them to remain in public places during designated curfew hours. The legislation allows minors to avoid penalties if they are accompanied by an adult, traveling by motor vehicle or public transit, going to or from work without detours, responding to an emergency, or attending or returning from school, religious, or recreational activities. Local governments will have the authority to set specific curfew times and enforce these rules within their jurisdictions. The law defines "minor" as anyone under 18 and "adult" as anyone 18 or older, and it will become effective 60 days after passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new crime called looting in Pennsylvania, specifically targeting theft that occurs during or right after natural disasters, lawful protests, or civil disobedience demonstrations. It defines looting as committing burglary, retail theft, or organized retail theft during these specific events and classifies the offense as a second-degree felony. The legislation includes a detailed list of what counts as a natural disaster, such as hurricanes, floods, fires, and earthquakes. If passed, the law will take effect 60 days after it is signed.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's Local Tax Collection Law to improve how local governments notify taxpayers about their property and personal taxes. It requires tax collectors to send detailed notices to every taxpayer within a specific timeframe, ensuring the letter includes the tax rate, property details, total amount owed, payment instructions, and deadlines for penalties or abatements. The legislation also mandates that these notices be sent to the taxpayer's last known address and prohibits listing an individual's name as the payee, instead directing payments to the municipal tax collector's office. Additionally, the bill authorizes municipalities with home rule charters to set their own notice dates and instructs the Department of Community and Economic Development to create a standard form for these notices.

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 grants the Pennsylvania Commission on Game and Fisheries the authority to create and update rules regarding boat registrations, licenses, permits, and safety plates. It specifically covers procedures for transferring boat ownership, managing passenger-carrying vessels, and collecting accident statistics. A key provision explicitly prohibits the commission from requiring permits or registrations for non-motorized boats in any state park, forest, or waterway. The legislation also establishes penalty levels for violations, such as operating a passenger boat without a license or failing to display required identification numbers.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to require the state to create a public comparison tool for institutions of higher education. The new tool will allow users to view and compare specific financial data, including the endowment amounts of different colleges and universities. By mandating this online resource, the legislation aims to increase transparency and accountability in how higher education institutions manage their funds. The changes will become effective 60 days after the bill is signed into law.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Pennsylvania public school districts to mail financial reports to local property taxpayers. Starting with the 2023-2024 school year, districts must send a notice by first-class mail to every resident taxpayer in their area. The notice will include financial data that is also available on the state education department's website. This change aims to ensure taxpayers receive direct information about their school district's finances without needing to search online.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania laws regarding child and spousal support and child custody to promote consistency and clarity in family court decisions. It establishes a statewide guideline for calculating support based primarily on the parents' earning capacities while allowing adjustments for unique financial needs. In custody matters, the legislation defines "equal parenting time" as roughly 50% of time with each parent and creates a rebuttable presumption that this arrangement is in the child's best interest. Courts must explain their reasoning in writing if they decide against equal parenting time, unless the parents agree on a different schedule or one parent does not request equal time.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows grandparents and great-grandparents in Pennsylvania to seek partial or supervised physical custody of their grandchildren under specific circumstances. It grants standing to these relatives when a parent has died, when the child has lived with the grandparent for at least 12 months before being removed by the parents, or when the parents are in custody proceedings and disagree about the grandparent's role. The law also permits grandparents to file for custody if neither parent has care of the child or if a parent has supervised physical custody, provided the grandparent has shown a sustained interest in the child's welfare. This legislation directly affects families navigating child custody disputes by expanding the legal options available to extended family members.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the state's Barbers' License Law to update language regarding who can be licensed as a manager-barber or barber-teacher. The changes remove specific references to cosmetology and adjust the text to clarify that these roles apply to licensed barbers. By deleting certain lines and inserting new wording, the legislation streamlines the rules for professional licensing in barbering.