Sen. Judy Ward

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 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 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 updates Pennsylvania's Human Services Code to clarify definitions and improve how assistance programs are administered for older adults. It specifically establishes new rules for the LIFE Program and older adult daily living centers, ensuring applicants receive clear information about eligibility and service options before being assigned to managed care plans. The legislation also mandates that government reports track enrollment in these programs by county and requires providers to include LIFE program details in their educational materials. Additionally, the bill repeals an older section of the Fiscal Code to formally integrate these long-term care services into the current legal framework.

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.