Sen. Nikil Saval

Maddy summarySB 86 would allow undocumented students who attended a Pennsylvania high school (public, nonpublic, charter, or cyber charter) for at least two years and graduated to pay in-state tuition at Pennsylvania's public colleges and universities, instead of higher out-of-state rates. It requires institutions to report these admissions to the state and ensures eligible students qualify for state financial aid through PHEAA without needing to provide Social Security numbers. The bill creates an alternative application process for financial aid that excludes Social Security number requirements for these students.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates the week of January 19-26, 2025, as "Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Holiday Week" in Pennsylvania. It urges all Pennsylvanians to reflect on Dr. King’s legacy of nonviolence, equality, and civil rights during this week and throughout the year. The bill does not create new laws or policies but formally recognizes and commemorates Dr. King’s impact through a state-level observance.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution officially designates 2024 as the "Year of The Franklin Institute" to honor the museum's 200th anniversary. The measure encourages residents and visitors across Pennsylvania to celebrate the institution's contributions to science education and community engagement. It does not alter any laws or policies but serves as a formal recognition of the museum's historical significance and ongoing role in Philadelphia.

Maddy summaryThis bill asks the Pennsylvania Senate to officially recognize the week of November 17 through 23, 2024, as "Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week." The resolution highlights the significant number of Pennsylvanians facing poverty, hunger, and homelessness, noting that these issues affect both urban and rural communities. By designating this specific time period, the bill aims to increase public awareness and encourage community action before the Thanksgiving holiday. It does not create new laws or allocate funding but serves as a symbolic gesture to draw attention to these social challenges.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution designates the week of November 13 through 19, 2024, as "Transgender Awareness Week" and November 20, 2024, as "Transgender Day of Remembrance" throughout Pennsylvania. The measure aims to raise public awareness about the challenges faced by the transgender community and to honor individuals who have lost their lives to anti-transgender violence. By officially recognizing these dates, the resolution encourages the public to participate in educational events and vigils that highlight both the experiences of transgender people and the need to address ongoing violence. This action does not change laws or policies but serves as a formal acknowledgment of these observances within the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's Sign Language Interpreter and Transliterator State Registration Act to expand the group of people covered to include those who are deafblind and to clarify definitions for services like video remote interpreting. It requires individuals providing these services to be state-registered by the Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, with specific exceptions for volunteers, students, religious settings, and short-term visitors. The legislation also outlines how the office must review educational programs and establishes a process for provisional registration, ensuring that the state maintains oversight while allowing for necessary flexibility in various contexts.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to require that teachers and reading instructors receive training in structured literacy, a method grounded in scientific research that explicitly teaches phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. The legislation mandates that professional development for educators be conducted during paid work hours and removes the previous requirement to include characteristics of dyslexia in certain educational materials. Additionally, the law establishes a council to develop a list of approved training programs and requires schools to notify parents when their kindergarten through third-grade students show reading deficiencies, providing periodic updates on progress. These changes apply to public schools and charter schools, ensuring that reading instruction follows evidence-based practices while accommodating students with disabilities and limited English proficiency.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes state regulations that previously limited how often local governments could restrict rodeos and similar events. Specifically, it repeals a section of the Fiscal Code that allowed municipalities to exempt ticketed rodeos from certain ordinances for up to 12 days per year. The change directly affects local governments and rodeo organizers by eliminating the legal framework that granted these specific exemptions. Once enacted, the bill takes effect immediately, leaving the regulation of such events to other applicable local laws.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution designates 2024 as the "Year of The Franklin Institute" to honor the museum's 200th anniversary. The measure formally recognizes the institution's history, its role in science education, and its status as a major cultural landmark in Pennsylvania. By passing this resolution, the Senate encourages residents and visitors to celebrate the institute's contributions and directs a copy of the document to the museum.

Maddy summaryThis bill officially designates the fifteenth day of the Hindu lunisolar month of Kartik as "Diwali Day" in Pennsylvania. The legislation recognizes the festival as a day of thanksgiving and reflection celebrated by millions of people worldwide and within the state. While the date is formally acknowledged, the law explicitly clarifies that employers are not required to treat it as a paid legal holiday or provide special leave. The act takes effect immediately upon approval by the Governor.