Sen. Lisa Boscola

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania laws regarding sexual offenses and child safety by replacing the term "child pornography" with "child sexual abuse material" to better reflect modern digital content. It specifically addresses the creation and sharing of sexually explicit images generated by artificial intelligence, defining these new technologies and expanding legal protections to include them. The legislation also clarifies penalties for transmitting such images, adjusting some offenses from felonies to misdemeanors while introducing new categories for the abuse of minors and the unlawful dissemination of intimate images.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution designates November 2024 as "Good Samaritan Law Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania to highlight the state's existing immunity protections for individuals who call 911 during drug overdoses. The bill encourages all branches of state and local government to promote awareness of Act 139 of 2014, which allows people to seek emergency medical help without fear of facing criminal charges. By increasing public knowledge of this law, the measure aims to encourage more people to seek immediate assistance during medical emergencies, potentially saving lives.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution honors all Pennsylvania veterans who have served during both war and peace on Veterans Day, November 11, 2024. It encourages local communities across the state to participate in ceremonies recognizing the nearly 800,000 current residents who have served in the armed forces. The bill does not change any laws or policies but serves as a formal expression of gratitude from the Senate.

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.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution designates the week of October 21 through 25, 2024, as "School Bus Safety Week" throughout Pennsylvania. The measure encourages motorists, parents, and students to follow traffic laws regarding school buses, such as stopping when red lights flash, and thanks school bus drivers for their work. It is a commemorative resolution that raises awareness about bus safety statistics and existing regulations rather than creating new legal requirements.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates three specific periods in 2024 and 2025 as "PIAA Officials Appreciation Weeks" to honor the work of over 13,000 registered officials in Pennsylvania interscholastic athletics. The designated times are October 6-12, 2024, January 12-18, 2025, and April 6-12, 2025, covering fall, winter, and spring sports seasons respectively. The measure encourages schools, coaches, student-athletes, and fans to recognize these officials for their role in maintaining fair and safe game environments. As a symbolic gesture, the bill does not alter laws or funding but serves to publicly acknowledge the dedication of these individuals.

Maddy summaryThis law updates regulations for assisted living residences and personal care homes in Pennsylvania to allow them to hire certified medication aides. It requires these aides to complete a specific training program that covers medication administration and mandates that their names be added to the state Nurse Aide Registry. The Department of Health is tasked with overseeing these training requirements and maintaining the registry to ensure compliance.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution directs the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to study the funding gap between state-approved budgets and actual contract rates for private providers of child welfare and juvenile justice services. The study will analyze financial disparities, insurance costs, and workforce compensation across all Pennsylvania counties to understand why some providers are withdrawing from the market. The committee is required to submit a report with specific recommendations to the Senate within nine months to address these issues and improve service delivery.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Pennsylvania's funding rules for sustainable transportation projects, specifically affecting local organizations that receive state financial assistance. It establishes a new deposit requirement into the fund, mandating that 6.15% of certain tax revenues be contributed monthly to support these programs. The legislation also adjusts how funding increases are calculated over time, capping annual growth at 20% for most years while allowing for higher increases starting in the 2024-2025 fiscal year. Additionally, it sets a minimum requirement for local matching funds, ensuring that communities contribute at least 15% of project costs, with a provision to pause these increases between 2024 and 2029.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's hunting laws to create a new permit for regulated hunting grounds, allowing landowners to manage wildlife on their property. Under the new rules, permit holders can remove birds killed on their land without traditional tagging, provided they attach a label with their contact information and details about the birds. The label must stay on the package or container until the birds are either returned to the landowner's address or prepared for eating. This change directly affects individuals who hold these specific permits and alters how they must document harvested game.