Sen. Judy Ward

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Pennsylvania Child Learning Investment Tax Credit Program, which provides a tax benefit to parents of school-age children who are not currently enrolled in public schools. The program allows eligible taxpayers to claim an $8,000 credit per child for qualified learning expenses, such as tuition at nonpublic schools, tutoring, educational software, and standardized testing fees. The credit can be claimed when filing annual tax returns or through advance installments, with options for direct deposit or mailed checks if the credit amount exceeds the taxpayer's tax liability. The legislation also includes provisions for prorating the credit if a child attends both public and nonpublic schools during the same taxable year.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania bill creates new criminal offenses for unlawfully possessing a dwelling and fraudulently selling or leasing residential property, while also establishing a civil process for removing unauthorized occupants. Under the new laws, individuals who enter or stay in a home with the intent to commit a crime, or those who cause significant damage to a property, could face felony charges. The bill also defines specific terms like "squatter" and "holdover tenant" to clarify who is considered an unauthorized occupant. To facilitate removal, property owners can submit a sworn affidavit to law enforcement detailing that an unauthorized person is living on their property without legal rights or family ties. If the affidavit meets all required criteria, law enforcement may remove the individual, though the property owner faces potential legal liability for making false statements in the document.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania vehicle laws to establish a specific identification system for milk hauling operations. It requires licensed milk haulers to display a one-time decal on the driver's side of their vehicle, which the Pennsylvania Milk Board will issue for a fee limited to administrative costs. The legislation also clarifies the board's authority and defines the permit requirements that allow these vehicles to move during the course of manufacturing milk.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's hunting laws to create a new permit for regulated hunting grounds, allowing landowners to manage wildlife on their property. Under the new rules, permit holders can remove birds killed on their land without traditional tagging, provided they attach a label with their contact information and details about the birds. The label must stay on the package or container until the birds are either returned to the landowner's address or prepared for eating. This change directly affects individuals who hold these specific permits and alters how they must document harvested game.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's sentencing guidelines by adding a specific crime to the list of Tier II sexual offenses. It directly affects sports officials, volunteers, and employees of nonprofit associations who commit sexual assault under the state's penal code. By including this act in the tier system, the legislation ensures that convictions for these offenses carry the same sentencing weight as other crimes currently classified at that level. The change becomes effective immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution formally recognizes October 2024 as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and October 18, 2024, as National Mammography Day within Pennsylvania. The bill aims to raise public awareness about breast cancer and encourages residents to discuss screening options with their doctors, specifically urging women over 40 to get annual mammograms. It highlights the importance of early detection to improve survival rates but does not create new laws or allocate funding. The measure serves as a symbolic gesture to promote health information rather than implementing concrete policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Professional Nursing Law to create a new program allowing certified registered nurse practitioners to work independently in rural areas without needing a written agreement with a physician. To qualify, a nurse practitioner must hold a current license, have no recent disciplinary actions, and demonstrate at least three years of prior practice experience involving over 3,600 hours. Once approved, eligible practitioners can prescribe treatments and manage patient care solely based on their nursing expertise, provided they continue to meet biennial renewal requirements and complete specific continuing education on patient safety. The legislation also clarifies that these nurses must identify themselves clearly to patients and refer cases beyond their scope of practice, while removing legal liability for collaborating physicians when the nurse practices under this new program.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates September 2024 as "Living Independence for the Elderly (LIFE) Month" in Pennsylvania to highlight the state's long-standing program that helps older adults age in their own homes rather than nursing facilities. The resolution acknowledges the program's role in coordinating medical, social, and supportive services for seniors with chronic care needs through a network of community centers. It also directs copies of the document to the nine organizations currently providing LIFE services across the state.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution designates the week of September 16 through 20, 2024, as "Safe2Say Something Week" across Pennsylvania to highlight the state's Safe2Say Program. The program, managed by the Office of Attorney General and Sandy Hook Promise, provides an anonymous way for students, staff, and community members to report threatening behavior or mental health concerns. Since its launch in 2019, the initiative has received over 146,000 reports, with recent data showing it is the most frequently used school safety reporting system in the nation. The resolution serves to recognize the program's success in addressing issues such as bullying, cyberbullying, and suicidal ideation without altering any existing laws or operational procedures.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to establish a funding mechanism for students enrolled in career and technical education programs. It directs the state to provide additional payments to school districts, area career and technical schools, and charter schools based on the number of eligible students they serve. The law specifies how these payments are calculated using enrollment data fixed as of June before each school year begins. Although the text references historical school years, the bill was recently reintroduced to update this funding provision for current and future education budgets.