Sen. Judy Ward

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution officially designates September 2024 as "Mushroom Month" to honor Pennsylvania's status as the nation's leading mushroom producer. The bill highlights the state's significant economic contribution from family-owned farms and recognizes the technical expertise required for mushroom cultivation. By celebrating this industry, the measure aims to raise awareness of the agricultural traditions and economic value provided by Pennsylvania's mushroom growers.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates November 10, 2024, as Marine Corps' Day in Pennsylvania to honor the 249th anniversary of the United States Marine Corps' founding. The bill does not change any laws or create new programs; instead, it serves as a formal statement of recognition within the state legislature. By passing this measure, the Senate acknowledges the historical contributions and service of the Marine Corps without altering existing policies or affecting specific individuals.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates September 20, 2024, as POW/MIA Recognition Day in Pennsylvania to honor soldiers who are prisoners of war or missing in action. The bill does not change any laws or require new actions from government agencies; instead, it serves as a symbolic gesture to acknowledge the sacrifices of these service members and their families. By setting aside a specific date for recognition, the measure aims to keep the memory of those unaccounted for from past conflicts alive within the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania laws regarding human trafficking and juvenile justice to better protect exploited minors. It clarifies the definition of a "sexually exploited child" and establishes a "safe harbor" policy that prevents law enforcement from arresting or prosecuting children under 18 who are found to be victims of trafficking or prostitution. Under these new rules, if a child is identified as a victim, they will be referred to county agencies for specialized support services rather than facing criminal charges. The legislation also mandates that courts protect the privacy of trafficking victims during legal proceedings and requires counties to take specific steps to assess and assist suspected exploited children.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania laws regarding child protective services to clarify how county agencies and the state department handle investigations and support for children. It allows the state department to step in and assist with investigations if a county agency is delayed or requests help, while also permitting counties to hire private agencies to perform these tasks. The legislation sets new requirements for staffing ratios and ensures that private contractors meet the same standards as public employees when assessing cases and providing services. Additionally, it expands the ability of county agencies to purchase services from various public or private providers to better support families in need.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Child Internet Protection Act to update terminology and clarify definitions regarding harmful online content in public schools and libraries. It requires school boards and public library governing bodies to adopt acceptable-use policies within 180 days that mandate the use of filtering software or specific online servers to block access to obscenity, child sexual abuse material, and other content harmful to minors. The legislation also grants public libraries immunity from civil liability if approved filtering tools fail to block such material, ensuring they can enforce these safety measures without fear of lawsuits.

Maddy summarySB 1290 amends Pennsylvania's Medical Marijuana Act to clarify rules regarding patient safety and employment. The bill defines specific terms like "impaired" and "safety-sensitive positions," which include jobs involving heights, machinery, or public safety. It prohibits patients from operating vehicles or performing essential duties while under the influence of marijuana, allowing employers to restrict such tasks without it being considered discrimination. Additionally, the legislation protects patients from being fired solely for having a medical marijuana certification, provided they are not impaired at work.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania election laws to clarify definitions, improve the preparation of electronic voting systems, and establish stricter pre-election testing procedures. It requires county election boards to have emergency paper ballots ready for every district and mandates that representatives from political parties and election watchdog groups be allowed to observe the setup and testing of voting machines. The legislation also introduces a new requirement for logic and accuracy testing, which involves running specific patterns on machines to verify they count votes correctly before an election takes place. Finally, the bill increases penalties for anyone who falsifies documents related to this pre-election testing process.

Maddy summaryThis law updates Pennsylvania's Public School Code to clarify how schools must support students who are children of National Guard or Reserve members. It ensures that these students receive the same educational protections as those covered under the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children, regardless of whether their parent is stationed in another state or within the Commonwealth. The bill defines key terms like "Compact student" and limits the new rules to actions taken by public schools located in Pennsylvania. By aligning state regulations with the national compact, the legislation provides a consistent framework for supporting military-connected children in public education.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the PA VETConnect Program within the Pennsylvania Department of Military Affairs to support veterans and their families. It brings together a network of diverse groups, including federal and state agencies, schools, healthcare providers, and nonprofits, to share information and coordinate services. The department is tasked with administering the program, developing a mission statement, and helping recently separated service members access resources and benefits. By centralizing these efforts, the program aims to improve communication and provide proactive solutions to address the needs of the veteran community.