Sen. Art Haywood

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates the week of January 19-26, 2025, as "Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Holiday Week" in Pennsylvania. It urges all Pennsylvanians to reflect on Dr. King’s legacy of nonviolence, equality, and civil rights during this week and throughout the year. The bill does not create new laws or policies but formally recognizes and commemorates Dr. King’s impact through a state-level observance.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution officially designates 2024 as the "Year of The Franklin Institute" to honor the museum's 200th anniversary. The measure encourages residents and visitors across Pennsylvania to celebrate the institution's contributions to science education and community engagement. It does not alter any laws or policies but serves as a formal recognition of the museum's historical significance and ongoing role in Philadelphia.

Maddy summaryThis bill asks the Pennsylvania Senate to officially recognize the week of November 17 through 23, 2024, as "Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week." The resolution highlights the significant number of Pennsylvanians facing poverty, hunger, and homelessness, noting that these issues affect both urban and rural communities. By designating this specific time period, the bill aims to increase public awareness and encourage community action before the Thanksgiving holiday. It does not create new laws or allocate funding but serves as a symbolic gesture to draw attention to these social challenges.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution officially designates November 14, 2024, as "World Diabetes Day" throughout Pennsylvania. The bill includes a statement encouraging residents to increase awareness of diabetes and the need for related education and services. It does not change any laws, allocate funding, or alter government programs, as its sole function is to recognize an international health observance.

Maddy summaryThis resolution honors the life and achievements of the late Henry George Hager III, a former Pennsylvania state senator and Senate leader. It formally expresses the Senate's condolences to his family and friends following his passing. The document outlines his career highlights, including his service as a district attorney, his tenure as Senate President pro tempore, and his leadership roles at the Insurance Federation of Pennsylvania.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution designates November 15, 2024, as "Guru Nanak Jayanti Day" to honor the 555th anniversary of the birth of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism. The bill aims to recognize the contributions of the Sikh community to Pennsylvania and celebrate the religious holiday that marks this significant date. By officially naming the day, the resolution acknowledges the state's diversity and the importance of Sikh traditions within the Commonwealth.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution designates the week of November 13 through 19, 2024, as "Transgender Awareness Week" and November 20, 2024, as "Transgender Day of Remembrance" throughout Pennsylvania. The measure aims to raise public awareness about the challenges faced by the transgender community and to honor individuals who have lost their lives to anti-transgender violence. By officially recognizing these dates, the resolution encourages the public to participate in educational events and vigils that highlight both the experiences of transgender people and the need to address ongoing violence. This action does not change laws or policies but serves as a formal acknowledgment of these observances within the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's Sign Language Interpreter and Transliterator State Registration Act to expand the group of people covered to include those who are deafblind and to clarify definitions for services like video remote interpreting. It requires individuals providing these services to be state-registered by the Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, with specific exceptions for volunteers, students, religious settings, and short-term visitors. The legislation also outlines how the office must review educational programs and establishes a process for provisional registration, ensuring that the state maintains oversight while allowing for necessary flexibility in various contexts.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to require that teachers and reading instructors receive training in structured literacy, a method grounded in scientific research that explicitly teaches phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. The legislation mandates that professional development for educators be conducted during paid work hours and removes the previous requirement to include characteristics of dyslexia in certain educational materials. Additionally, the law establishes a council to develop a list of approved training programs and requires schools to notify parents when their kindergarten through third-grade students show reading deficiencies, providing periodic updates on progress. These changes apply to public schools and charter schools, ensuring that reading instruction follows evidence-based practices while accommodating students with disabilities and limited English proficiency.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's Sexual Assault Testing and Evidence Collection Act to clarify definitions and improve how evidence is managed. It designates the Pennsylvania State Police as the sole entity responsible for maintaining and operating the statewide tracking system used to record sexual assault evidence kits. The legislation also establishes that information in this system is intended solely as a resource for victims and cannot be used in court to challenge the legal chain of custody for evidence. Additionally, the bill adjusts the timeline for certain reporting requirements, changing the deadline from a specific date to a period of 60 days.