Sen. Devlin Robinson

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 Senate resolution officially designates September 2024 as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month in Pennsylvania. The bill aims to increase public knowledge about the disease, which is the most common cancer diagnosed in men in the state and the second leading cause of cancer death among American men. By highlighting statistics on risk factors and symptoms, the measure encourages Pennsylvanians to learn more about prevention and early detection. This action is symbolic and does not alter any laws or allocate funding.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates November 10, 2024, as Marine Corps' Day in Pennsylvania to honor the 249th anniversary of the United States Marine Corps' founding. The bill does not change any laws or create new programs; instead, it serves as a formal statement of recognition within the state legislature. By passing this measure, the Senate acknowledges the historical contributions and service of the Marine Corps without altering existing policies or affecting specific individuals.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates September 20, 2024, as POW/MIA Recognition Day in Pennsylvania to honor soldiers who are prisoners of war or missing in action. The bill does not change any laws or require new actions from government agencies; instead, it serves as a symbolic gesture to acknowledge the sacrifices of these service members and their families. By setting aside a specific date for recognition, the measure aims to keep the memory of those unaccounted for from past conflicts alive within the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania laws regarding human trafficking and juvenile justice to better protect exploited minors. It clarifies the definition of a "sexually exploited child" and establishes a "safe harbor" policy that prevents law enforcement from arresting or prosecuting children under 18 who are found to be victims of trafficking or prostitution. Under these new rules, if a child is identified as a victim, they will be referred to county agencies for specialized support services rather than facing criminal charges. The legislation also mandates that courts protect the privacy of trafficking victims during legal proceedings and requires counties to take specific steps to assess and assist suspected exploited children.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Child Internet Protection Act to update terminology and clarify definitions regarding harmful online content in public schools and libraries. It requires school boards and public library governing bodies to adopt acceptable-use policies within 180 days that mandate the use of filtering software or specific online servers to block access to obscenity, child sexual abuse material, and other content harmful to minors. The legislation also grants public libraries immunity from civil liability if approved filtering tools fail to block such material, ensuring they can enforce these safety measures without fear of lawsuits.

Maddy summaryThis law updates Pennsylvania's Public School Code to clarify how schools must support students who are children of National Guard or Reserve members. It ensures that these students receive the same educational protections as those covered under the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children, regardless of whether their parent is stationed in another state or within the Commonwealth. The bill defines key terms like "Compact student" and limits the new rules to actions taken by public schools located in Pennsylvania. By aligning state regulations with the national compact, the legislation provides a consistent framework for supporting military-connected children in public education.

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, now enacted as Act No. 87 of 2024, authorizes the injection of carbon dioxide into underground reservoirs in Pennsylvania for storage purposes. It clarifies that companies owning the land above these underground spaces retain ownership of the pore space beneath their property and allows for the transfer of surface land rights to facilitate these projects. A key provision ensures that public utilities are not required to pass the costs of developing or maintaining these carbon storage facilities onto their customers through higher rates. Additionally, the law establishes a specific fund to support carbon dioxide storage activities and assigns duties to state environmental agencies to oversee the process.

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.