Sen. Judy Ward

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Grow Pennsylvania Merit Scholarship Program to provide financial aid to students pursuing degrees in high-demand fields such as STEM, nursing, and allied health. It defines eligible majors and allows recipients to take occasional online courses while maintaining their scholarship status. The program requires scholars to work in approved in-demand occupations after graduation, with provisions for partial reimbursement if they fail to meet these service obligations. Additionally, the legislation clarifies that switching between approved courses of study does not affect eligibility and limits the ability of institutions to use private collection agencies for debt recovery.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania bill creates a new tuition and fee waiver program for foster and adopted youth attending state colleges and universities. To qualify, students must have been eligible for federal Chafee grants, have experienced foster care at age sixteen or older, and apply for available financial aid. The waiver covers the cost of tuition and mandatory fees after subtracting other scholarships and grants, and it is available for up to five years or until the student turns twenty-six, whichever comes first. Institutions must also report annually on how many students receive this benefit to state officials and legislative committees.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the eligibility requirements for Pennsylvania's Ready-to-Succeed Scholarship program. It raises the maximum household income limit for applicants from $126,000 to $175,000 and allows this figure to increase annually based on inflation. Additionally, the bill lowers the minimum grade point average needed to qualify from 3.25 to 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. The legislation also clarifies that students must maintain at least half-time enrollment in an approved course of study to receive the scholarship.

Maddy summaryThis resolution formally acknowledges the City of Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Steelers for hosting the 2026 National Football League Draft. It highlights the event's significance by noting Pittsburgh's historical connection to the sport and the upcoming 50th anniversary of the team's legendary 1974 draft class. The document points out that the three-day celebration will feature various community activities and a fan festival, drawing global attention to the city. Ultimately, the bill serves as a commemorative statement rather than enacting new laws or policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a State Advisory Board to guide the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program. The board will include members representing various groups, such as pediatric physicians and breastfeeding experts, to ensure diverse perspectives in their work. Its primary purpose is to increase awareness of breastfeeding services and improve access to WIC-authorized stores for program participants. By adding specific roles focused on nutrition and lactation support, the legislation aims to strengthen the program's ability to assist eligible families.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's crop insurance laws to create a program that helps farmers and ranchers afford insurance and risk management tools. It directs the state Department of Agriculture to educate producers on these options and offer financial aid to cover part of their premium costs, provided funds are available. The legislation specifically adds a provision allowing the department to give money to dairy producers who join the federal Dairy Margin Coverage program to help with enrollment and coverage expenses. By defining agricultural commodities broadly and outlining new administrative duties, the bill aims to make these insurance programs more accessible to eligible Pennsylvania agricultural producers.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as Alicia's Law, creates a new task force within the Pennsylvania Attorney General's office to investigate and prosecute internet-based sexual offenses against minors. It establishes a dedicated funding account to support these task forces, with money available only after legislative appropriation. Additionally, the law imposes a temporary $11.25 surcharge on certain judicial fees to generate revenue for the Judicial Department, which will expire in 2026.

Maddy summaryThis resolution officially designates June 2024 as "Dairy Month" to honor Pennsylvania's dairy industry, which supports over 47,000 jobs and generates billions in economic activity. The measure aims to raise awareness about the state's dairy farmers and their families, who operate more than 468,000 cows and produce roughly 10 billion pounds of milk annually. It encourages the public to recognize the value of local dairy products and promotes the purchase of dairy goods produced within Pennsylvania.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the rules for disabled veterans seeking a real estate tax exemption in Pennsylvania. It establishes a rebuttable presumption that applicants earning $75,000 or less annually need the tax break, while explicitly excluding federal disability benefits from their income calculation. Additionally, the law requires the state commission to automatically adjust this income threshold every two years based on changes in the Consumer Price Index. The changes take effect 60 days after the bill is passed.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the legal definition of a "governmental entity" within Pennsylvania's education retirement statutes to explicitly include various school boards and authorities. It directly affects employees of associations that collect membership dues from public schools, ensuring these workers are covered under the state retirement system if hired after the law takes effect. The legislation also clarifies that such associations will not be treated as nonparticipating employers as long as they maintain active participants in the retirement plan. These changes take effect immediately upon passage.