Sen. Kristin Phillips-Hill

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 amends Pennsylvania's Fiscal Code to update investment rules for state funds and establish a new retirement savings initiative called the Keystone Saves Program. The program allows eligible employers to facilitate automatic contributions from employee paychecks into Individual Retirement Accounts, with specific definitions provided for who qualifies as an employer and employee. Additionally, the legislation sets a new expiration date for the Treasury Department's authority to invest state moneys and adjusts the effective date for the electric vehicle road user charge.

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 summarySB 1320 amends Pennsylvania's Money Transmission Business Licensing Law to explicitly include virtual currency alongside traditional money in its regulatory scope. The bill updates legal definitions and adds a requirement for licensees to operate in a safe and sound manner, ensuring their practices do not risk material loss or harm to the interests of users. It also clarifies the qualifications, fees, and security requirements that businesses must meet to obtain and maintain a license for transmitting funds. This legislation directly affects companies and individuals currently licensed to transmit money or those planning to offer virtual currency transmission services in the state.

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 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 officially designates October 2024 as "Down Syndrome Awareness Month" within the state of Pennsylvania. The bill aims to highlight the lives and contributions of individuals with Down syndrome and their families through a formal state recognition. It does not alter any laws, allocate funding, or change existing policies, but rather serves as a symbolic gesture to increase public awareness. The measure was referred to the Rules and Executive Nominations committee for further processing.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Pennsylvania laws to adjust the time limits for filing lawsuits against state and local government entities. It directly affects individuals or groups seeking to sue Commonwealth or local parties by changing the specific deadlines for filing such claims. The key provision reduces the standard time window for initiating these legal actions, requiring plaintiffs to file their cases within two years for certain state claims and three years for others instead of the previous four-year period. By updating these statutory timelines, the legislation aims to clarify when legal proceedings against government units must be started to remain valid.