Sen. Mike Regan

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution designates September 2024 as "Childhood Cancer Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania to highlight the impact of pediatric cancer on the state's youth and families. The bill does not create new laws or change funding but serves as a symbolic gesture to raise public awareness about the disease and the state's existing support systems. It acknowledges Pennsylvania's role as a leader in pediatric care by recognizing its seven Children's Oncology Group hospitals and the millions of dollars already allocated to research. The resolution encourages residents to join the fight against the disease and honors the patients, families, and medical professionals involved in the cause.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a concurrent resolution that asks the state legislature to officially recognize October 13, 2024, as the 249th birthday of the United States Navy. It does not create new laws, change funding, or affect any specific group of people, as it serves only as a symbolic gesture to honor the Navy's history and values. The text highlights the service's long tradition of protecting the nation and its core principles of honor, courage, and commitment.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's Fiscal Code to clarify how individuals can claim abandoned or unclaimed property held by the state. It allows any person with an interest in such property to file a formal claim using a specific form provided by the State Treasurer. Additionally, the law permits the State Treasurer to automatically distribute property or its sale proceeds to a person if that person is identified as the sole owner and the item's value is under $500, even without a filed claim. The changes apply to the state government and affect anyone holding unclaimed assets or seeking to recover them.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's Liquor Code to regulate the sale and distribution of ready-to-drink cocktails, which are defined as premixed alcoholic beverages containing between 0.5% and 12.5% alcohol by volume. It establishes a new permit system allowing restaurants, hotels, and distributors to sell these drinks while restricting sales for off-premises consumption after 11 p.m. The legislation also clarifies rules for Pennsylvania Liquor Stores regarding wholesale sales to licensees and special order restrictions, while expanding import licenses to include ready-to-drink cocktails. Additionally, the bill introduces specific provisions for limited distilleries and updates definitions to ensure clarity across the state's alcohol regulatory framework.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the funding rules for Pennsylvania's state universities by requiring a council to select no more than six performance metrics to distribute specific portions of state appropriations. If the council fails to meet its reporting deadline, a pre-defined set of default metrics will automatically take effect to allocate funds based on graduation rates, tuition costs, retention, and degrees in high-priority fields. The law also establishes a five-year review cycle to reassess these performance measures and outlines a process for funding the administrative costs of implementing the new system.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the definition of eligible institutions for Pennsylvania's Grow Pennsylvania scholarship programs to include schools approved under the Higher Education Scholarship Law and those established under Article XIX-G. It updates the list of covered academic areas to include special education, STEM, and allied health fields while clarifying that students may take occasional online courses. The legislation also modifies repayment rules by allowing agencies to charge interest on unearned scholarships and permitting students to switch between different approved courses of study without losing eligibility. Additionally, the bill requires the state to actively market these programs online at least every three years and ensures that scholarship funds do not disqualify schools from receiving other state grants.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania vehicle laws to clarify rules for car modifications and safety equipment. It specifically allows vehicle owners to remove and reinstall doors while requiring that any modified vehicle still have side mirrors attached for visibility. Additionally, the law mandates that vehicles with removed doors must be inspected with those doors reattached to ensure they meet safety standards. The legislation also expands seat belt requirements to include passengers in the back seats of certain vehicles used for specific unlawful activities.

Maddy summaryThis law allows police officers in Pennsylvania to choose whether to buy back pension credit for their previous time working with a police department, rather than requiring them to do so. It specifically changes state statutes to give officers the option to apply for this service credit under the municipal pension system. The change applies to those seeking to purchase credit for prior service as part of their retirement benefits calculation.

Maddy summarySB 375, known as Greg Moyer's Law, amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to update requirements for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillator (AED) training and equipment in schools. The bill repeals the previous mandate requiring schools to offer CPR classes every three years and replaces it with a requirement to provide both CPR and AED instruction to school employees. Additionally, the legislation establishes a new AED Program that allocates at least one percent of the School Safety and Security Fund between fiscal years 2024-2025 and 2028-2029 to purchase or discount AED devices for school buildings. This program also defines what constitutes an AED, sets specifications for their availability, and outlines reporting requirements for schools to track the number and condition of these devices.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Public School Code of 1949 to establish a new Child Reunification Program within the Department of Education. The legislation specifically modifies the preliminary provisions of the existing act to create this program, which aims to support families in reuniting children with their parents or guardians. A minor technical change is also included, which removes the word "inkless" from the text. The bill does not detail the specific operational rules or funding for the program, focusing instead on its creation within the state's education framework.