Sen. Judy Ward

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution designates May 14, 2024, as "IgA Nephropathy Awareness Day" in Pennsylvania to highlight a rare autoimmune disease that affects the kidneys. The bill aims to raise public awareness about IgA nephropathy, which can lead to serious complications like kidney failure, and to support patients and their families. Additionally, the resolution formally recognizes the IgA Nephropathy Foundation for its work in advancing research and care for those affected by the condition.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Nurse Aide Resident Abuse Prevention Training Act to update requirements for individuals working in long-term care facilities. It allows students and graduates of nursing programs that meet specific standards to qualify as nurse aides if they pass a competency exam, while also clarifying that training must be established by a facility rather than just enrolled in by an individual. The legislation sets different effective dates for various new sections, with some provisions taking effect in 30 days, others in 60 days, and the remainder in one year.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how Pennsylvania public schools award academic credit for students who work at congregate care facilities. It lowers the required number of work hours from 350 to 250 and allows schools to use existing programs to manage these credits instead of creating new ones. The law also clarifies that schools must approve each student's application and ensure all requirements are met before granting the credit. Additionally, the bill updates terminology to refer to "school districts" rather than "public schools" in specific sections.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Commonwealth Zero-Based Budgeting Act, requires Pennsylvania state agencies to justify every dollar of their spending rather than simply adjusting previous year's budgets. Under the new rules, the Secretary of the Budget must review all government programs at least once every five years, starting with about one-fifth of the budget annually beginning in 2024. Agencies must submit detailed plans explaining why each program exists, how much it costs to maintain current or minimum service levels, and the potential impact if the program were cut. While most departments are subject to this review, specific educational functions like class sizes, school curricula, and direct classroom services are exempt from the process. The law aims to ensure that public funds are allocated based on clear, defensible purposes rather than historical spending habits.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Office of Information Technology within Pennsylvania's executive branch to centralize and manage state IT services. It establishes a Chief Information Officer who will serve as a member of the Governor's Cabinet and will be appointed by the Governor with the approval of two-thirds of the Senate. The new official will have the authority to oversee technology operations across state agencies and set security protocols for government data. This change affects the administrative structure of the executive department by adding a dedicated role for managing information technology.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Fraudulent Misrepresentation of a Candidate Prevention Act, establishes civil liability for anyone who uses artificial intelligence to create fake images, videos, or text that impersonate current or former candidates for public office. It specifically targets advertisements distributed within 90 days of an election if they are made with the intent to misrepresent a candidate's words, actions, or beliefs. Affected candidates can sue for punitive damages and legal fees, while courts may also impose daily fines ranging from $15,000 to $250,000 depending on the level of office involved. The law includes defenses for those who obtain written consent from the impersonated individual and provides exemptions for news organizations and law enforcement performing official duties when they clearly disclose the artificial nature of the content.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's registration law to exempt certain employees and contractors of public utilities, electric cooperatives, and telecommunications providers from needing professional licensure for their engineering, land surveying, or geology work. The exemption applies only when these organizations already employ at least one licensed professional engineer and one licensed land surveyor who are responsible for overseeing the work, or when the telecommunications work is not incidental to engineering or surveying services. By allowing these specific groups to operate without individual licenses, the legislation aims to reduce regulatory burdens while maintaining oversight through the requirement that a licensed professional remains in charge of the company's technical operations.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates June 4, 2024, as "National Guard and Veterans Day" in Pennsylvania to honor the state's military history and current service members. The measure recognizes the Pennsylvania National Guard's lineage dating back to 1755 and highlights its extensive contributions to domestic emergencies, international conflicts, and community support. By officially setting aside this date, the bill aims to acknowledge the service of approximately 21,000 Guard members and the Commonwealth's large veteran population.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a change to the Pennsylvania Constitution to update voter eligibility requirements, directly affecting all citizens who wish to vote in state, local, or federal elections. The key provision sets the minimum voting age at 18 and requires voters to be U.S. citizens for at least one month, reside in the state for 90 days, and live in their specific election district for 60 days before an election. It also explicitly prohibits noncitizens, regardless of their legal status, from participating in any elections within the Commonwealth. To become law, the amendment must pass both houses of the General Assembly and then be approved by voters in a special election.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's personal income tax code to allow a one-time tax deduction of up to $10,000 for individuals who donate human organs. The provision specifically covers unreimbursed expenses related to the donation, such as travel, lodging, lost wages, and medical costs, provided the donation occurs while the taxpayer or their dependent is alive. To qualify, the organ must be a liver, pancreas, kidney, intestine, lung, or bone marrow, and the deduction can only be claimed in the year the transplantation happens. This change applies to tax years beginning after December 31, 2023, and is limited to a single claim per person during their lifetime.