Sen. Tracy Pennycuick

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the state's Workers' Compensation Act to update a specific reference within the law. The change removes a citation to section 307 from the text, which is a technical adjustment to the statute's language. By making this edit, the legislation ensures the legal code accurately reflects current sections without altering the core rules for injured workers or employers. The bill was signed into law by the Governor on October 29, 2024, and became Act No. 126 of 2024.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution designates November 2024 as "Care at Home Month" in Pennsylvania to honor the work of home care, hospice, and home health professionals. The measure highlights the importance of these workers who help individuals with disabilities and older adults receive essential support and medical services in their own homes. It also acknowledges the growing demand for such care as the state's population ages and notes the significant number of jobs currently held in this sector. By passing this resolution, the Senate aims to express gratitude for the dedication of these caregivers without changing any laws or policies.

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 updates Pennsylvania vehicle laws to allow the Department of Transportation to replace registration plates that are too worn or damaged to be read from a reasonable distance. Under the new rules, owners of standard plates must pay for a replacement, while those with special veteran or military service plates receive a free replacement with the same design. The legislation also ensures that personal plates with unique numbers keep their original numbers unless the owner chooses otherwise. These changes apply to a wide range of special plates honoring military service, veterans, and their families, and the law takes effect 60 days after passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania law to allow police officers at Fort Indiantown Gap to keep their certification without retaking the full exam. Under the new rules, these officers can maintain their status if they finish required training and either already hold an active certificate or previously held one that expired within the last two years while working at the base. The legislation applies specifically to installation police officers at this military facility and does not affect other law enforcement agencies. It will become effective 60 days after it is signed into law.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's boating safety laws to clarify who needs to take a safety course and how the state manages that education. It specifically exempts people operating small motorboats of 25 horsepower or less, provided they are not personal watercraft. The legislation also directs the state commission to coordinate a statewide training program, issue safety certificates to those who pass the course, and set reasonable fees for the classes. These changes aim to make boating education more accessible while maintaining safety standards for operators.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows private vendors to sell custom-designed vehicle license plates in Pennsylvania through online or in-person auctions. The law requires these vendors to offer specific premium designs, such as those with black, gold, or carbon fiber backgrounds, while keeping the plates the property of the state department. Any money earned from these sales that exceeds the cost of running the auctions must be used to recruit, train, or equip Pennsylvania State Police Cadets. Additionally, the bill clarifies that these custom plates can only be resold at auction if the original owner passes away.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania laws to allow waterways conservation officers and game enforcement officers to wear body cameras and other recording devices during their duties. To qualify for these new powers, the officers must complete specific training courses approved by the Pennsylvania State Police regarding the use of such technology. The legislation clarifies that these officers are considered law enforcement for the purpose of legally recording communications, but it explicitly excludes deputy officers from wearing these devices. The changes take effect 60 days after the bill is enacted.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania bill authorizes the Department of Transportation to negotiate interstate agreements with federal agencies or research institutions to study and test unmanned aircraft systems. Under the new rules, drones can only operate in the state if they are part of an approved agreement and comply with federal laws. The department may also hire local airports, specific schools, or municipalities to manage these research and training projects. Additionally, the bill allows the department to create temporary regulations quickly to help implement these changes without going through the usual lengthy review processes.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to establish a new grant program that provides funding for career and technical education equipment. It directs the Department of Education to calculate the distribution of these grants using the most recent available data, with the calculation date set for June 1st of the year before the school year begins. The law also requires the department to update its calculations if the initial data is later found to be incorrect. These changes directly affect public schools by creating a mechanism to allocate financial resources specifically for purchasing equipment used in vocational training programs.