Sen. Wayne Fontana

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Pennsylvania Local Cybersecurity Improvement Act, creates a state funding program to help local governments and municipal authorities prevent, respond to, and recover from significant cybersecurity incidents. The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency will administer the program by distributing up to $10 million in state funds to supplement existing federal grants, with specific rules allowing money to reach local entities that do not qualify for federal aid. To receive these funds, eligible municipalities and authorities must submit an application detailing their cybersecurity needs, while the agency is required to establish clear guidelines and application forms within 60 days of the law taking effect. The legislation also mandates that the agency report all grant awards and amounts to the state legislature's Appropriations Committees to ensure transparency.

Maddy summaryThis bill, titled the Protecting Parents of Transgender Children Act, prevents Pennsylvania government agencies from stopping parents or guardians from obtaining or allowing minors to access specific medical information and services. It defines these services as those that are medically accurate, medically appropriate, and evidence-based, ensuring that parental decisions in this area are not blocked by state authorities. Additionally, the law clarifies that a parent providing such information or services to a minor cannot be accused of child abuse under state law. The measure takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill officially renames the Pennsylvania Judicial Center in Harrisburg to honor Chief Justice Robert N. C. Nix, Jr. The Department of General Services is tasked with creating and installing plaques or markers bearing the new name on the building. The changes take effect 60 days after the bill is signed into law.

Maddy summarySB 1263 amends Pennsylvania's Local Option Small Games of Chance Act to update definitions and regulations for games of chance, specifically introducing rules for electronic pull-tab devices used on-site at licensed locations. The bill clarifies that these electronic devices must be passive tools that do not determine game outcomes or accept coins, while also adjusting prize limits and sales restrictions for various raffles and daily drawings. It further modifies licensing requirements for clubs and taverns, outlines procedures for special permits for larger raffles, and establishes new reporting and enforcement measures to ensure compliance with the law.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new grant program within the Pennsylvania Department of Education to help public school districts provide annual mental health screenings for students in grades six through twelve. To receive funding, schools must apply by proposing specific evidence-based screening tools, outlining how they will use the money to hire staff or expand counseling services, and detailing an emergency plan for students who need immediate help. The program will begin in the 2025-2026 school year, and the department will assess each school district's readiness before selecting participants. Additionally, the bill requires the department to consult with national mental health organizations and establish a list of qualified vendors to support the screening process.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code to update the rules for historic preservation incentive tax credits. It clarifies which businesses and organizations are eligible to claim these credits and expands the definition of qualified taxpayers to include tax-exempt entities. The legislation also adjusts the administrative process by setting a new annual funding limit of $50 million for tax credit certificates and establishing a tiered application fee that cannot exceed 5% of the requested amount or $2,000. These changes aim to streamline how the Department of Community and Economic Development processes applications for funds used to restore historic structures.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's Schools-to-Work Program by clarifying who can participate and who can run the program. It expands the definition of "adult learners" to include individuals over 18 who lack basic skills, do not have a high school diploma, need help returning to work, or require career training. The legislation also broadens the list of eligible program sponsors to include pre-apprenticeship entities, nonprofits, schools, and local workforce boards. Grants awarded under the program must support partnerships between schools and employers to create training pathways that offer internships, apprenticeships, and other learning opportunities. Recipients of these grants are required to report annually on how many participants entered the program, completed it, earned certifications, or moved into further education or employment. The changes to the program are set to expire in 2029.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's voter registration rules and expands access to absentee ballots for incarcerated individuals. It clarifies that people must be at least 18 years old, have been U.S. citizens for at least one month, and have lived in their specific district for 30 days before registering, while also removing a previous restriction that barred those with felony convictions from voting if they are currently in prison. The legislation requires government agencies to include these eligibility requirements on their voter registration forms and allows inmates in correctional facilities to request absentee ballots by sending a signed letter to their local election board. Additionally, the bill permits the use of electronic signatures and digital formats for voter registration applications.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania election laws to allow specific groups of people to vote by absentee ballot and to register without a traditional street address. It grants absentee voting rights to individuals confined in correctional institutions for misdemeanors, pretrial confinement, or non-conviction custody, while explicitly excluding those in mental health facilities or convicted of felonies. The legislation also permits homeless voters to register using geographic descriptions like maps or coordinates instead of a physical address. Additionally, it requires the Department of State to work with correctional facilities to provide election information, designate staff to assist inmates with voting, and report on voter participation data within prisons.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution officially designates June 2024 as "LGBTQ+ Pride Month" in Pennsylvania to honor the state's LGBTQ+ community and mark the 55th anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall Inn demonstrations. The document highlights historical events within the state, such as early civil rights protests in Philadelphia and past executive orders recognizing LGBTQ+ equality, as reasons for this recognition. As a commemorative measure, the bill does not alter laws or create new programs but serves to publicly acknowledge the contributions and struggles of LGBTQ+ Pennsylvanians.