Rep. Tom Jones

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits Pennsylvania school districts and other educational institutions from purchasing or using biometric identifying technology for any purpose, including school security. It defines biometric technology as tools that verify identity through physical or behavioral characteristics like fingerprints, facial features, voice, or DNA. The law applies to all types of public and private schools within the state and takes effect 30 days after passage.

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 election laws to require that all voter registration applicants provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship. It specifies acceptable documents, such as a valid passport, military ID, or a birth certificate paired with other supporting evidence, and mandates that election officials verify this information during the registration process. The legislation also establishes penalties for officials who fail to perform these duties and creates a legal pathway for individuals to sue if they believe their citizenship verification rights were violated. Additionally, it updates the rules for removing voter registration records, allowing for cancellation only when an elector is confirmed to be non-citizen or has moved away.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates legal definitions in Pennsylvania to explicitly include unborn children as "persons" under state crime statutes and defines an individual as a human being from fertilization until live birth for death-related legal actions. By amending the definitions in the Crimes and Offenses and Judiciary titles, the legislation ensures that laws protecting persons and addressing death apply to fetuses from the earliest stage of development. The changes clarify the scope of legal protections available to unborn children without altering the substantive rights or procedures currently in place.

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 allows minors who are family members of active-duty military personnel to receive credit for driving experience gained in other states when applying for a Pennsylvania driver's license. Specifically, it permits these minors to count the time they held a learner's permit and the hours of practical driving completed elsewhere toward the state's requirements, provided they now live with the service member in Pennsylvania. The law applies to minors under 18 seeking a junior driver's license, including those wanting to operate a motorcycle. The changes take effect 60 days after the bill is passed.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the membership rules for Pennsylvania's State Veterans' Commission to ensure broader representation of different veteran groups. It mandates that the commission include representatives from sixteen specific national veterans' organizations, such as the American Legion and VFW, along with four members appointed by the Governor who must be female or Vietnam-era veterans. The legislation also clarifies the roles of state-level leaders from the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, and Veterans of Foreign Wars as nonvoting members. These changes aim to modernize the commission's composition while maintaining its existing structure under Pennsylvania law.

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.