Sen. Lisa Baker

Maddy summaryThis bill allows parents of six-year-old children newly entering school in Pennsylvania to request a one-year waiver from compulsory attendance if the child has a diagnosed autism spectrum disorder and is receiving intensive early intervention services. To qualify, parents must provide medical documentation of the diagnosis and proof that the child will continue to receive these specialized services for the duration of the waiver. If approved, the Department of Education notifies the local school district, and the child remains eligible for early intervention services while exempt from regular school attendance. The law also ensures that parents can re-enroll their child in kindergarten or first grade at any point during the waiver year and clarifies that no compensatory education is owed for time spent outside the school system.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's Medical Practice Act to formally define and regulate the practice of midwifery by nurse-midwives and certified midwives. It establishes specific conditions under which nurse-midwives can prescribe medications, allowing those with advanced pharmacology training to dispense certain controlled substances for acute pain, opioid use disorder, and gynecologic health issues. The legislation also clarifies the scope of practice for nurse-midwives working in hospitals and birth centers versus those in other settings, requiring collaborative agreements with physicians in the latter case. Additionally, the bill grants nurse-midwives authority to order medical devices, immunizing agents, and laboratory tests while maintaining their responsibility for patient care decisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Pennsylvania counties to create public safety authorities specifically for emergency medical services and related support functions. Under the new rules, a county can establish up to two such authorities and must try to include municipal representatives in their governance, while existing emergency organizations can continue operating without restriction. Municipalities within the county can contract with these authorities to meet their legal obligations for providing emergency services, but the authorities generally cannot charge fees unless a municipality explicitly opts in through an ordinance. The legislation also requires the Department of Community and Economic Development to offer guidance and technical assistance to help counties set up and manage these new public safety entities.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Liquor Code to allow the removal of citations issued to liquor store and restaurant owners for failing to follow COVID-19 safety rules. It specifically targets violations of health orders, quarantine guidelines, and other pandemic-related directives that occurred while the state's disaster emergency proclamation was active in 2020. Under the new provision, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board must erase these penalties and notify the affected businesses within 30 days of the bill's effective date, ensuring no fines are charged for these past infractions.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania state law to ensure that veterans' benefit payments are not counted as income when determining eligibility for various state-run programs. It defines "veterans' benefit payments" as compensation related to service-connected disabilities or benefits provided by state agencies, and it explicitly excludes these funds from income calculations for programs that require income verification. The legislation also extends this protection to unmarried surviving spouses of veterans for any compensation they receive based on the veteran's service. Additionally, the law prevents these payments from being considered as financial resources when assessing eligibility for specific human services programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the expiration date for Pennsylvania's fire and emergency medical services grant programs from 2034 to 2029. It repeals specific provisions related to temporary COVID-19 recovery grants and establishes new rules for how these funds are awarded and reported annually. The legislation directly affects fire companies and emergency medical services organizations by defining the timeline for their financial support and requiring them to submit yearly reports on the use of funds.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to create temporary rules for private driver education schools without going through standard regulatory review processes. Under these new rules, instructors must pass a specific exam based on the state driver's manual and have three chances to do so before needing to reapply. The authority to issue these temporary regulations will expire six months after the bill takes effect, after which future rules must follow normal legal procedures.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Rural Population Revitalization Commission to address population shifts and demographic changes in Pennsylvania's rural areas. The commission will consist of members appointed by the Governor, state legislators, and representatives from various organizations including universities, farm bureaus, and county associations. Its primary duties include reviewing population trends, holding public hearings, and issuing biennial reports with recommendations on issues such as education, healthcare, housing, and economic opportunities. Additionally, the bill updates the governing board of the Center for Rural Pennsylvania by specifying its composition to include representatives from both political parties and higher education institutions.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a State Advisory Board to guide the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program. The board will include members representing various groups, such as pediatric physicians and breastfeeding experts, to ensure diverse perspectives in their work. Its primary purpose is to increase awareness of breastfeeding services and improve access to WIC-authorized stores for program participants. By adding specific roles focused on nutrition and lactation support, the legislation aims to strengthen the program's ability to assist eligible families.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies how Pennsylvania calculates taxes on shares held by banks and trust companies, specifically regarding the treatment of United States government debt. It establishes that new rules for determining taxable amounts apply only to shares held after December 31, 2024, and taxes due after March 14, 2025. The legislation also ensures that these changes do not affect tax calculations or refunds for periods before those dates, preserving the previous legal standards for earlier years.