Sen. Greg Rothman

Maddy summarySB 249, nicknamed "Tara's Law," amends Pennsylvania's Crime Victims Act to require state and local law enforcement agencies to make a reasonable effort to contact surviving family members of murder victims or intervenors (those who helped during a crime) before publicly releasing the victim's identity. The bill creates an exception allowing immediate public release if needed for an ongoing murder investigation. This change directly affects law enforcement agencies' protocols when handling sensitive victim information. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summarySB 244 amends Pennsylvania's firearm licensing law to restrict access to the state's Firearms License Validation System. It requires that only Pennsylvania law enforcement officers acting within their official duties may check license validity, and prohibits sharing this information with law enforcement from states without a reciprocity agreement. The bill directly affects law enforcement agencies and out-of-state officials seeking to verify firearm licenses. It creates a new procedural mechanism to limit cross-state information sharing regarding license status, taking effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summarySB 242, the "Right-to-Bear-Arms Protection Act," prohibits Pennsylvania state officials from enforcing any federal law or regulation that attempts to register, restrict, ban, or regulate firearms, magazines, or firearm accessories within the state. It directly affects Pennsylvania state actors (like law enforcement and government employees) by requiring them to disregard such federal actions and imposing penalties if they comply. Key provisions include declaring federal firearm-related actions unenforceable in Pennsylvania after December 31, 2020, and subjecting state officials who enforce these federal actions to civil lawsuits, job termination, and a 10-year ban from state employment. The bill aims to protect residents' Second Amendment rights under Pennsylvania and federal constitutions by preventing state officials from facilitating federal gun control measures.

Maddy summarySB 239 creates a formal process for Pennsylvania school entities (like districts, charter schools, and intermediate units) to request waivers from certain state education requirements. School boards must submit applications detailing which rules they seek to waive, the reasons, and supporting data; the Department of Education must approve or deny these within 30 days. The bill explicitly prohibits waivers for anti-discrimination laws, academic standards, student safety rules, and specific sections of the Public School Code (listed in Section 1(i)). This allows schools flexibility to improve programs or operations without changing core educational mandates or federal compliance requirements.

Maddy summarySB 210 creates a new offense for interfering with public transit operators (like bus drivers or conductors) while they are performing their duties. It prohibits actions that cause serious injury or death to operators (felony first degree), lesser injury (felony third degree), or create fear of harm. The law applies to any public transit vehicle, including buses, trains, and streetcars, and covers both direct harm to operators and harm to passengers caused by the interference. Penalties range from serious felony charges for severe cases to lesser felonies for less severe violations.

Maddy summarySB 186 repeals Pennsylvania's CO2 Budget Trading Program regulations (specifically 25 Pa. Code Chapter 145 Subchapter E). This bill directly affects entities previously subject to the program's requirements, such as businesses participating in carbon emissions trading. The key provision is the immediate abrogation of all regulatory provisions under the referenced code section, eliminating the state's CO2 trading framework. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summarySB 215 amends Pennsylvania's licensing law to expand exemptions from professional engineering and land surveying licensure requirements. It specifically exempts regular employees of public utility companies (like gas or electric providers), electric cooperatives, and cable/internet service providers from needing individual licenses, provided their employers maintain at least one licensed engineer or land surveyor in responsible charge. The bill does not change licensing rules for other professionals or the general public. It directly affects workers in these specific industries by reducing licensure barriers for their roles. The changes take effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summarySB 230 would require Pennsylvania public and private schools to obtain parental permission before providing students with instructional materials containing sexually explicit content. Schools must develop policies identifying such materials (defined as including visual depictions of specific sexual acts) and implement an opt-in form for parents to approve access. If parents do not approve or submit the form, students must receive alternative non-explicit materials. The bill applies to all Pennsylvania school entities (including charter and cyber schools) and mandates school boards to adopt these policies by August 2025 after public input. The bill is pending in the Education committee.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates February 3, 2025, as "Four Chaplains Day" in Pennsylvania to commemorate the sacrifice of four Army chaplains (George Fox, Alexander Goode, John Washington, and Clark Poling) during WWII. It honors their selfless actions when the ship Dorchester was torpedoed in 1943, as they gave up life jackets to save others. The resolution has no policy impact - it is purely ceremonial recognition of historical events. It does not affect any laws, rights, or government programs.

Maddy summarySB 218 amends Pennsylvania's Housing Authorities Law to clarify tenant selection rules and expand veteran preferences for low-income housing. It requires housing authorities to rent only to low-income tenants (with income ≤ six times annual rent, including utility costs) and prohibits renting to non-citizens or those violating immigration laws. The bill also adds a provision ensuring veteran preferences apply to all qualifying housing programs, not just specific ones. These changes directly affect Pennsylvania housing authorities and applicants seeking subsidized housing.