Sen. Judy Ward

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania vehicle registration rules by clarifying how to handle lost, stolen, damaged, or illegible plates and expanding where farm vehicles can be driven. It mandates free reissuing of specific special plates for veterans and military families if they become illegible, while allowing standard plates to be reissued with a new design at no cost. Additionally, the legislation creates a new Pennsylvania Sportsman plate available for a $40 fee and establishes a dedicated account to fund youth hunting and fishing education programs. Funds collected from the new plate fee are split evenly between the Game Commission and Fish and Boat Commission, which must use the money solely for educational activities rather than salaries or administrative costs.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's insurance laws to require health insurance policies to cover medically necessary telemedicine services provided by participating network providers. It explicitly prohibits insurers from denying coverage or reimbursement solely because a service is delivered remotely via video, audio, or asynchronous methods. The legislation also prevents contracts from conditioning reimbursement on the use of specific proprietary technology or vendors, ensuring providers can use various telemedicine tools. By defining terms like telemedicine and remote patient monitoring, the law standardizes how these services are treated under existing insurance plans and managed care programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Pennsylvania's fishing and hunting license laws to offer special discounts to volunteer firefighters. It allows eligible volunteer firefighters to purchase an annual resident fishing license for just one dollar if they provide proof of their service over the past year. Additionally, the legislation creates a new category of hunting licenses for volunteer firefighters, also priced at one dollar, while maintaining standard resident hunting license exemptions. These changes apply to anyone who has served as a volunteer firefighter in good standing within the state for at least twelve months.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the Right-to-Know Law to require organizations that receive taxpayer money or are regulated by government agencies to provide public records. Specifically, it mandates that any entity receiving grants, loans, or appropriations, or falling under the jurisdiction of a state or local agency, must comply with existing public record disclosure rules. The amendment clarifies the scope of entities subject to these transparency requirements by adding a new section to the statute. This change ensures that publicly funded and regulated organizations are held to the same open records standards as other public bodies.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires individuals applying for licenses as healthcare practitioners in Pennsylvania to submit fingerprints for criminal history background checks. The Pennsylvania State Police will conduct these checks using both state and federal databases to verify identities and identify any past arrests or convictions. Licensing boards will use this information to determine eligibility for issuing professional credentials, while strict rules limit who can access these records. The law specifically covers various healthcare fields, including medicine, nursing, dentistry, and pharmacy, and will take effect 180 days after passage.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution asks the U.S. Congress to change federal rules so that drivers aged 18, 19, and 20 with a Commercial Driver's License can legally transport goods across state lines. Currently, federal regulations require interstate drivers to be at least 21, a limit the bill seeks to remove to help address a projected shortage of truck drivers. The proposal emphasizes maintaining high safety standards and performance criteria while expanding the pool of available workers for the trucking industry.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Pennsylvania Strategic Investments to Enhance Sites (PA SITES) Program to help fund the development of regional plans and business sites within the state. It authorizes the Pennsylvania Economic Development Financing Authority to issue up to $500 million in bonds to support projects that reduce development risks for municipalities, economic development organizations, and other eligible entities. The funds can be used for creating comprehensive real estate plans, preparing industrial or nonindustrial sites for business relocation or expansion, and other projects deemed eligible by the Department of Community and Economic Development. All bond payments must be covered by specific pledged revenues rather than general state funds, ensuring the bonds do not create a direct debt obligation for the Commonwealth.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the state laws governing the licensing of professional land surveyors. It establishes a new certification path for applicants who pass a fundamentals exam, allowing them to become surveyors-in-training without a time limit. To qualify for full licensure, candidates must demonstrate at least four years of progressive experience in land surveying or four years of teaching experience, with a requirement that their background includes a mix of field and office work. The legislation also clarifies definitions and outlines the procedures for obtaining a license and maintaining professional competency.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands public health insurance coverage in Pennsylvania to include rapid whole genome sequencing for infants under one year old who have complex or acute illnesses of unknown cause. To qualify, the child must be in an intensive care unit and show specific symptoms, such as multiple organ anomalies or severe metabolic issues, that suggest a genetic origin. The testing must be ordered by a doctor who determines that a quick molecular diagnosis is essential for guiding treatment, with results expected within fifteen days. While the genetic data will primarily be used to help doctors treat the patient, the law also allows for its use in scientific research if the parent or guardian gives explicit consent. Additionally, the bill ensures that families can access their test results for use in other medical settings and retain the right to withdraw consent for research at any time.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's military statutes to update the legal description of Fort Indiantown Gap and creates a new fund to support service members, veterans, and their families. The primary mechanism involves revising a specific section of the Department of Military Affairs code to reflect current information about the base. Additionally, the legislation establishes a dedicated financial resource intended to provide assistance to military personnel and their dependents. The bill focuses on administrative updates and the creation of a support fund without detailing specific funding amounts or eligibility criteria in the provided text.