Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Public Employer Disclosure Act, requires public employers in Pennsylvania to share specific personal and employment details about their workers with authorized employee representatives. The law mandates that employers provide information such as names, contact details, job titles, and salaries in an electronic format within 21 days of hiring a new employee and at least every 120 days thereafter. Additionally, the act requires public employers to make meeting space available to employee organizations upon request, allowing them to gather with staff on a quarterly basis. While the provided information can only be used for representation purposes, the bill allows collective bargaining agreements to demand even more frequent updates. If a public employer fails to comply with these requirements, employee organizations can seek court orders to enforce the rules and recover legal costs.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill creates the State Safety Oversight Office in Pennsylvania to supervise the safety and security of fixed guideway public transportation systems, such as subways and light rail. The new office will review security and emergency plans, oversee safety certifications for new construction projects, and ensure these systems comply with federal and state laws without exceeding federal standards. To balance oversight with operational autonomy, the bill establishes a formal appeal process allowing transit systems to request hearings if they disagree with the office's decisions or enforcement actions. Additionally, the legislation clarifies liability rules, holding the state department responsible for damages caused by its personnel while preserving the transit systems' rights to sue contractors for damages.
Maddy summarySB 1093 creates the Put Down Roots PA Pilot Program, a pilot initiative designed to help first-time homebuyers in Pennsylvania by providing financial assistance for student loans. The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency will manage this program, offering grants of up to $40,000 to individuals who purchase a primary residence and have not previously owned a home in the state. To qualify, applicants must agree to live in their new home for at least three years and have a household income under $200,000, with grant amounts capped at the size of their student loan debt or 15% of the home's purchase price. The bill also requires the agency to publish detailed annual reports on the program's usage and outcomes while allowing for reasonable administrative fees to cover implementation costs.
Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution commemorates July 2, 2024, as the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The bill does not change any laws or affect public policy; instead, it formally acknowledges the historical significance of the legislation that ended legal segregation and prohibited discrimination in employment, public accommodations, and voting. By passing this resolution, the Senate recognizes the Act's role as a landmark achievement in American history without altering its existing provisions.
Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's First and Second Class County Property Tax Relief Act to expand tax relief for longtime owner-occupants in specific residential areas. It allows local governments to grant property tax deferrals or exemptions to homeowners who have lived in their primary residence for at least ten years, or five years if they received government housing assistance, provided the tax increase is due to new construction or renovations in established neighborhoods. The legislation also clarifies that cities in second-class counties can create these programs independently of their counties and permits the use of past data to apply these benefits retroactively to November 1984.
Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania bill updates state laws to clarify which inmates are ineligible for early release programs, specifically short sentence parole and certain parole eligibility rules. It directly affects prisoners convicted of specific serious offenses, such as incest, open lewdness, and crimes involving child sexual abuse material, by ensuring they cannot access these accelerated release options. The legislation also standardizes the term "child sexual abuse material" throughout the statutes to replace older references to "child pornography." Additionally, the bill makes minor editorial changes to correct references within the legal code.
Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania law allows residents of large cities to acquire vacant private land for community gardens through a court process, provided they submit a simple plan to pay required taxes. Once the land is acquired, the court must place a legal restriction on it requiring the property to be used as a garden for at least seven years, with rules covering local regulations, permitted uses like growing food or flowers, and limits on structures to no more than half an acre. The restriction can be removed if the current owner proves it causes financial hardship, but the law excludes land owned by the government, land banks, or specific types of nonprofit organizations from this program.
Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution designates June 2024 as "Migraine and Headache Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania to highlight the impact of these conditions on public health. The bill cites statistics showing that headaches are a leading cause of disability and significantly affect millions of people, including veterans and service members. By officially recognizing this month, the Senate aims to encourage public education and reduce the stigma surrounding migraine disorders. This measure serves as a symbolic gesture to draw attention to the need for better research funding and accessible treatments rather than enacting new laws or policies.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Prevailing Wage Act to clarify how "custom fabrication" is defined for public construction projects. It specifically includes offsite production of nonstandard goods like specialized HVAC components, sheet metal ducts, and prefabricated structures, while explicitly excluding standard materials such as structural steel and precast concrete. The changes aim to ensure that workers involved in creating these specific project components are covered by prevailing wage requirements, with a noted exception for general HVAC duct cleaning.
Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's Cosmetology Law to create a new "limited license" specifically for natural hair braiders, allowing them to operate legally without a full cosmetology license. It defines natural hair braiding as techniques that create tension on hair roots, such as twisting or weaving, while explicitly excluding the use of dyes or chemical treatments. Under the new rules, individuals can obtain this specialized license by completing three hundred hours of training or by proving three years of prior practice, and they are permitted to work in licensed salons. The legislation also clarifies that practicing cosmetology without a license remains illegal and establishes specific sanitary and educational requirements for schools and teachers.