Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution directs the Uniform Construction Code Review and Advisory Council to study whether Pennsylvania's building codes should allow single-exit stairways in multifamily buildings up to six stories tall. Currently, the state follows the International Building Code, which requires two separate stairways for structures taller than three stories, a rule that increases construction costs and limits design options. The study must evaluate safety factors such as water supply, fire department response times, and other measures needed to protect public health and welfare. The Council is tasked with issuing a report with recommendations for modifying the code before the next version is adopted, while also receiving input from the Office of the State Fire Commissioner.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes rules requiring the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services to deny payments for medical claims that violate specific federal funding limits on services provided to minors. It mandates that the department and the Office of Attorney General investigate any suspected violations of these payment restrictions by healthcare facilities or practitioners. If a provider is found to have knowingly submitted non-compliant claims, the bill allows for the suspension of their eligibility to receive state funds and requires them to repay between two and three times the amount of the invalid claim. Additionally, the legislation imposes penalties for failing to produce records or cooperate with investigations into these compliance issues.
Maddy summarySB 357 repeals Pennsylvania's requirement for a license to carry a firearm, removing Section 6106 which previously mandated licenses for concealed carry. It requires counties to provide free lockers for checking firearms at court facilities and updates rules for convicted persons to relinquish firearms and licenses. The bill also repeals Philadelphia-specific restrictions on carrying firearms on public streets and revises provisions related to firearms in vehicles and hunting. These changes primarily affect firearm owners, law enforcement, and court facility users by altering licensing, carrying, and storage requirements. The bill makes technical amendments across multiple statutes but does not create new licensing requirements.
Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs to issue two-year licenses to healthcare providers that meet specific quality standards, rather than the standard one-year renewal. To qualify for this extended license, providers must maintain good standing, hold a current multiyear accreditation from a national organization, and agree to notify the department within 14 days if that accreditation lapses. In exchange for the two-year term, the department will conduct only one comprehensive inspection per period instead of annual visits, though it retains the authority to inspect immediately if complaints arise. The law takes effect 60 days after being signed.
Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's Public School Code to clarify attendance rules for charter, regional charter, and cyber charter schools while protecting students from unfair penalties for transportation issues. It requires cyber charter schools to define specific criteria for student presence during online classes, such as being visible on camera for live sessions or completing weekly benchmarks for independent work, and mandates that administrators cannot alter attendance records except to fix errors. The legislation also establishes a formal appeal process for families to contest unexcused absence or tardy determinations and prohibits schools from counting tardiness as an absence or penalizing students for missing school due to a lack of district-provided transportation. Additionally, the bill strengthens reporting requirements by mandating that cyber charter schools submit unexcused absence data and benchmark completion information directly to the state department. Finally, it tightens procedures for handling truancy by requiring schools to notify parents in writing within ten days of a violation and clarifies the steps schools must take when a child is habitually absent.
Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's Public School Code to standardize how student residency is verified and how enrollment changes are reported for both traditional and cyber charter schools. It requires parents to submit a specific annual form by March 1 using a standardized list of acceptable documents, such as utility bills or leases, to prove their address, while exempting homeless students from these requirements. Additionally, the law mandates that cyber charter schools and parents notify the student's local school district within 10 business days of enrollment or any change in residence. These changes aim to streamline administrative processes and ensure consistent documentation across different types of school districts.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires public schools and universities in Pennsylvania to explicitly label their athletic teams as male, female, or coed, while prohibiting female teams from allowing male participation. It protects schools from facing complaints or investigations for maintaining separate sports for girls and allows students to sue for damages if they are harmed by violations of these labeling and separation rules. The law also permits schools to sue if they are penalized by outside organizations for following these guidelines, and it applies to all public education and higher education institutions in the state.
Maddy summarySB 993 amends Pennsylvania laws to clarify and expand local government authority over veterans' memorials. It directly affects boroughs, third-class cities, and counties by requiring them to maintain, repair, and preserve existing memorials for war veterans, not just erect new ones. The bill specifies that these local governments must manage memorials on public property, including completing repairs and ensuring their upkeep, while also updating related corporate power provisions. This focuses on practical maintenance rather than new memorial construction.
Maddy summarySB 1150 amends Pennsylvania's open meetings law to allow state agencies to add items to a meeting agenda during the meeting, provided a majority of attendees approve and the reason for the change is announced. After adding an item, agencies must post the updated agenda on their public website (if available) and at their main office within one business day. This rule applies to all public meetings except executive sessions or working sessions. The bill directly affects state agencies holding open meetings, requiring them to follow these transparency steps for agenda changes.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code of 1949 to allow the Secretary of Education to temporarily waive a requirement that career and technical education programs must end by twelfth grade. The change directly affects students in vocational and technical education programs and gives the state education secretary the authority to approve programs that extend beyond high school graduation. The waiver is limited to three years or until final regulations are issued, whichever happens first, and does not prevent existing programs from ending in twelfth grade. Students already enrolled in these programs before the waiver expires will not be affected by the change.