Sen. Cris Dush

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 the definitions of eligible workers for Pennsylvania's Postsecondary Educational Gratuity Program, which provides tuition waivers for the children of deceased first responders and correction employees. It broadens the scope to include full-time and part-time police officers, firefighters, sheriffs, and deputy sheriffs, as well as members of rescue squads and ambulance services, regardless of whether they work inside or outside the state. The legislation also clarifies residency requirements for those employed outside Pennsylvania and repeals a previous provision that allowed benefits to be applied retroactively to 1976, instead setting a new effective date of January 1, 2004, for the updated definitions.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania law to clarify the definitions of "law enforcement agency" and "law enforcement officer" within the state's statutes on crimes and offenses. It specifies that a law enforcement agency is any agency in the Commonwealth that employs a law enforcement officer, while defining an officer as someone with the same legal status as a peace officer. These changes aim to ensure consistent terminology when applying laws related to false alarms and intimidation against public safety personnel. The update does not create new crimes but rather standardizes how existing legal terms are interpreted.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania concurrent resolution formally applies to the U.S. Congress to call a constitutional convention strictly limited to imposing fiscal restraints, reducing federal power, and capping terms of office for federal officials and members of Congress. The bill includes detailed instructions for selecting delegates, prohibiting sitting officials from serving, and requiring delegates to take an oath to oppose any proposals outside the specified topics. It also establishes that Congress has no authority to set rules or delegate numbers for the convention, reserving those powers for the state legislatures. Additionally, the resolution declares that no amendments to the Bill of Rights may be considered at the convention and recommends that any resulting amendments be ratified by state legislatures rather than special conventions.

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.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires hospitals to publicly display their prices for medical items and services on their websites to help patients understand costs before receiving care. It mandates that hospitals publish detailed lists of charges, including standard rates, negotiated prices with insurance plans, and discounted cash prices, in both digital and printable formats. Additionally, the legislation prohibits hospitals from taking collection actions, such as sending debt to collectors, against patients if the hospital fails to comply with these price transparency rules. These measures directly affect hospitals and their patients by increasing financial clarity and holding facilities accountable for maintaining accessible pricing information.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution officially designates October 2024 as "National Physical Therapy Month" within the state of Pennsylvania. The bill aims to honor the contributions of physical therapists and their assistants by encouraging them to host community events and educate the public about their role in improving mobility and preventing falls. It does not create new laws or alter funding but serves as a symbolic recognition to highlight the profession's importance in healthcare and aging care.

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 Senate Resolution formally recognizes October 2024 as National Sensory Processing Disorder Awareness Month within Pennsylvania. The measure aims to highlight the condition, which affects how the brain processes sensory information and can impact daily functioning, emotions, and learning for approximately one in twenty people. By officially designating the month, the resolution encourages parents, educators, and caregivers to increase public understanding of the disorder and its effects. The bill does not alter laws or funding but serves as a symbolic gesture to promote awareness during a time when the Sensory Processing Disorder Foundation is celebrating its 35th anniversary.

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.