Rep. Nikki Rivera

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new legal right for buyers of used cars in Pennsylvania to return their vehicle to the dealer within 10 days of purchase or lease. Under the new rules, dealers must accept the return and issue a full refund minus a small fee for the car's use, which is capped at either 10 cents per mile driven or 10% of the vehicle's price, whichever is lower. The law also requires dealers to provide customers with a notice explaining these rights at the time of sale and mandates that refunds be processed within 30 days of the buyer's request.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new criminal offense in Pennsylvania for unintentionally causing death while driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. It directly affects drivers who kill someone while impaired, raising the penalty from a second-degree felony to a mandatory first-degree felony. The law also sets specific minimum prison terms, such as five years for a first offense and longer sentences for repeat offenders or those with prior DUI convictions.

Maddy summaryHB 2347 rebrands Pennsylvania's Energy Development Authority as the Energy Financing Authority and updates the legal definitions of 'project' and 'cost' within the state's Administrative Code. The bill clarifies that the authority can fund specific energy initiatives, such as renewable energy projects, infrastructure resilience improvements, and research into new energy technologies, provided these efforts cannot be adequately supported by private funding. Additionally, the legislation outlines the authority's powers and duties, establishes requirements for an annual report, and sets rules regarding the authority's ability to incur debt.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's child protective services laws to clarify which specific sexual offenses involving children must be reported and to strengthen reporting protocols for staff at schools and medical facilities. It explicitly requires mandated reporters to file a report if they suspect a child is involved in the creation, display, or possession of child sexual abuse material or artificially generated images of children, regardless of whether the minor created the content. Additionally, the legislation mandates that institution staff notify their supervisor immediately after making a report and ensures that institutions cooperate fully with subsequent investigations. The changes will not take effect until one year after the bill is passed.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires electric distribution companies in Pennsylvania to evaluate and use advanced transmission technologies when proposing new transmission lines. The law mandates that any proposed transmission project must incorporate all technically feasible and cost-effective advanced technologies to achieve at least two benefits, such as avoiding new construction, increasing system capacity, reducing congestion, or minimizing environmental impacts. Electric distribution companies must submit evidence of their evaluation to the state commission, and any additional costs for implementing these technologies can be recovered through approved tariffs. The bill defines advanced transmission technologies to include tools like dynamic line rating systems, advanced power flow controllers, and high-performance conductors that improve grid efficiency and reliability.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's existing Crane Operator Licensure Act to expand its scope and create a unified regulatory framework for both crane operators and well drillers under the State Board of Crane Operators and Well Drillers. The legislation establishes new definitions for various types of wells, including environmental, geotechnical, and geothermal wells, and introduces requirements for well driller licensure, examinations, bonding, insurance, and continuing education. It also mandates registration for drilling companies and rigs, adds reporting and sampling requirements, and includes provisions for license identification and exemptions for agricultural operations. The bill further outlines enforcement mechanisms, including procedures for license suspension or revocation for violations of the act.

Maddy summaryHB 2076 establishes a regulatory framework for geothermal energy development in Pennsylvania, requiring the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to create rules for project approvals, environmental safeguards, and well operations. The bill creates a Geothermal Energy Development Fund to support industry growth and imposes civil penalties for violations of the new regulations. It directly affects geothermal developers (who must comply with DEP rules) and the DEP (which must implement the regulations). Key provisions include defining geothermal resources, setting standards for well operations, and ensuring environmental protections for projects.

Maddy summaryHB 2106 amends Pennsylvania's guardianship procedures for people alleged to be incapacitated. It requires courts to provide clear, simple-language notices to the person in question about the hearing's purpose, potential loss of rights, and their rights, along with the petition details. The bill specifies who must be notified (like relatives, service providers, and others with a genuine interest in the person's well-being) and clarifies hearing procedures, including when hearings can be closed or held at the person's residence. This directly affects individuals facing guardianship proceedings, their families, and service providers.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Human Relations Act to clarify that religious or fraternal organizations cannot restrict membership based on race, color, national origin, or ancestry to deny equal access to housing, employment, or public accommodations. It specifically updates Section 5(h)(10) to explicitly prohibit such discrimination under the guise of religious or fraternal affiliation. The change directly affects religious institutions, fraternal organizations, and housing providers operating under existing exemptions. The amendment takes effect 60 days after passage.

Maddy summaryHB 1098 establishes a new program under Pennsylvania's Commission on Crime and Delinquency to combat internet crimes against children. It directs the Commission to provide grants to law enforcement task forces for investigating and prosecuting internet-related crimes against minors under 18, specifically violations of Pennsylvania laws covering sexual offenses, human trafficking, and child exploitation (18 Pa.C.S. §§ 30, 31, 6312, 6318, 6320). The grants will support local police teams, supplement federal child exploitation grants, and fund specialized training for investigators. This program operates alongside existing federal and state funding without replacing it, directly affecting law enforcement agencies working on these cases.