Rep. Marc Anderson

Maddy summaryHB 759 amends Pennsylvania's Election Code to update the definition of acceptable identification for voting. The bill specifies that voters must present one of several forms of ID, including a standard driver's license, a photo-less driver's license for religious objections, or alternative documents like state IDs, military IDs, or documents from Pennsylvania institutions (e.g., schools or care facilities). For mail-in or absentee voters without a driver's license, it allows using the last four digits of a Social Security number or other qualifying documents. These changes apply to all voters in Pennsylvania when casting ballots in person or by mail, clarifying existing ID requirements without eliminating the need for identification.

Maddy summaryHB 677 amends Pennsylvania's Apprenticeship and Training Act to establish new supervisor-to-apprentice ratio requirements based on occupational hazard levels. It requires that for high-hazard occupations (with fatality rates ≥9 per 100,000 workers), no more than three supervisors may be required per apprentice; for medium-hazard occupations (2-9 fatalities per 100,000), no more than two supervisors; and for low-hazard occupations (≤2 fatalities per 100,000), no more than one supervisor. These ratios are determined annually using U.S. Department of Labor fatality data, with updates published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin and implemented July 1 each year. The bill directly affects all registered apprenticeship programs in Pennsylvania, particularly those in construction, manufacturing, and other high-risk industries.

Maddy summaryHB 582 amends Pennsylvania's 1971 Tax Reform Code to exclude the sale of firearms and ammunition from state sales and use tax. It directly affects firearm retailers and buyers, as these items will no longer be subject to tax when purchased at retail. The bill adds a specific exclusion (section 204(77)) defining "firearm" as a weapon designed to expel projectiles via explosives and "ammunition" as bullets or shells for such weapons. This change takes effect immediately upon passage.

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 452 removes disciplinary actions and refunds penalties for retail food facilities that were penalized for not following specific COVID-19 health protocols during Pennsylvania's state of emergency (March 6, 2020, to when the emergency ended). It covers violations related to the Disease Prevention and Control Law, Governor's orders, and health department guidance about the novel coronavirus. The bill requires health authorities to erase these records from official files and refund any penalties paid during the emergency period. This applies only to violations tied to the pandemic response, not general health code compliance.

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 summaryHB 403 preempts Pennsylvania municipalities from adopting policies that block law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. It prohibits local governments from restricting officers from complying with federal immigration requests, assisting ICE, allowing ICE access to county jails, inquiring about immigration status of people in custody, or sharing release information. The bill establishes an "Immigration Cooperation Fund" to support this cooperation, though specific funding mechanisms are not detailed in the provided text. This directly affects all Pennsylvania cities, towns, counties, and their law enforcement officers, judicial staff, and correctional personnel.

Maddy summaryHB 326 repeals Pennsylvania's current law on "drug delivery resulting in death" and replaces it with a new offense covering both death and serious bodily injury caused by drug delivery. It classifies causing death as a first-degree felony (with a maximum 40-year prison sentence) and causing serious injury as a third-degree felony, while adding a defense for those who delivered drugs without receiving payment. The bill also increases fines for arson committed for profit and updates the definition of "crime of violence" to include the new drug delivery offense. These changes directly affect individuals who distribute drugs leading to harm and impact how courts prosecute such cases.

Maddy summaryHB 228 requires Pennsylvania's State Board of Education to review all academic standards every three years to ensure they are age-appropriate, industry-specific, academically challenging, and aligned with job market needs. The bill mandates the board to submit detailed reports to education committee leaders in both legislative chambers, including updates to standards, reasons for changes, stakeholder involvement, and implementation timelines. It clarifies the State Board's relationship with the Department of Education and updates membership rules for education councils. This bill directly affects public school curriculum development and accountability processes across Pennsylvania's K-12 system.