Sen. Amanda Cappelletti

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 updates Pennsylvania's Automobile Lemon Law to clarify definitions and strengthen protections for buyers and lessees of defective new vehicles, including motorcycles. It establishes specific time and mileage limits for when manufacturers must repair issues that significantly affect a vehicle's use, value, or safety, and mandates refunds or replacements if these repairs fail after a reasonable number of attempts. The legislation also introduces a presumption that a reasonable number of repair attempts have occurred for motorcycles if manufacturer-sourced parts are used, while excluding off-road vehicles and dual-sport motorcycles from coverage. Additionally, the law sets a maximum deduction of 10 cents per mile or 10% of the purchase price when calculating refunds for the consumer's use of the vehicle before the defect was reported.

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 officially designates November 14, 2024, as "World Diabetes Day" throughout Pennsylvania. The bill includes a statement encouraging residents to increase awareness of diabetes and the need for related education and services. It does not change any laws, allocate funding, or alter government programs, as its sole function is to recognize an international health observance.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution designates November 15, 2024, as "Guru Nanak Jayanti Day" to honor the 555th anniversary of the birth of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism. The bill aims to recognize the contributions of the Sikh community to Pennsylvania and celebrate the religious holiday that marks this significant date. By officially naming the day, the resolution acknowledges the state's diversity and the importance of Sikh traditions within the Commonwealth.

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 amends Pennsylvania's Vital Statistics Law to allow licensed practical nurses working in hospice care to officially pronounce death under specific conditions. To qualify, the patient must be under hospice care with a valid Do Not Resuscitate order, and the nurse must complete required training on assessing vital signs and postmortem care. The law clarifies that while nurses can declare death based on the cessation of breathing and heartbeat, they cannot determine the cause of death, which remains the responsibility of physicians or coroners. Additionally, the bill expands fee waivers for certified copies of death records to include a broader range of military personnel, veterans, and their dependents.

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.