Maddy summaryThis bill allows parents of six-year-old children newly entering school in Pennsylvania to request a one-year waiver from compulsory attendance if the child has a diagnosed autism spectrum disorder and is receiving intensive early intervention services. To qualify, parents must provide medical documentation of the diagnosis and proof that the child will continue to receive these specialized services for the duration of the waiver. If approved, the Department of Education notifies the local school district, and the child remains eligible for early intervention services while exempt from regular school attendance. The law also ensures that parents can re-enroll their child in kindergarten or first grade at any point during the waiver year and clarifies that no compensatory education is owed for time spent outside the school system.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill amends the state's Tax Reform Code to modify how sales and use tax is calculated. Specifically, it changes a single word in the statute to alter the conditions under which discounts are applied. The text requires the Finance and Appropriations committees to review the change before it can become law.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code to update rules for the rural jobs and investment tax credit program. It establishes two categories of investment authority based on when they were issued and sets specific spending limits of $50 million for each category. The legislation also defines what counts as a rural growth investment, clarifies how businesses can claim tax credits over several years, and adds stricter limits on how much a single rural business can receive to prevent concentration of funds.
Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania food safety laws to set stricter standards for water used in food establishments and bottled water production. It requires any business serving or selling water for drinking to use sources that meet state safe drinking water requirements or standards that are at least as strict. The law also mandates that bottled water products follow specific federal labeling and recall rules while removing any conflicting state regulations. These changes apply to all food establishments regardless of the size of the containers they use.
Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's Medical Practice Act to formally define and regulate the practice of midwifery by nurse-midwives and certified midwives. It establishes specific conditions under which nurse-midwives can prescribe medications, allowing those with advanced pharmacology training to dispense certain controlled substances for acute pain, opioid use disorder, and gynecologic health issues. The legislation also clarifies the scope of practice for nurse-midwives working in hospitals and birth centers versus those in other settings, requiring collaborative agreements with physicians in the latter case. Additionally, the bill grants nurse-midwives authority to order medical devices, immunizing agents, and laboratory tests while maintaining their responsibility for patient care decisions.
Maddy summaryThis bill proposes minor adjustments to Pennsylvania's vehicle laws, specifically targeting rules regarding racing on highways and the handling of impounded vehicles. It seeks to remove the word "intentional" from a specific provision, clarify language about controlled or uncontrolled substances, and change the authority responsible for certain vehicle matters from municipalities to counties. These changes aim to refine how traffic enforcement and penalties are applied without altering the fundamental structure of the state's vehicle code.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires Pennsylvania's Public Utility Commission to create stakeholder groups for electricity, natural gas, telecommunications, and water services to review existing laws and regulations. These groups will include representatives from utility companies, consumer advocates, and industry associations to evaluate how current rules impact customer rates and utility efficiency. The commission must produce a report within one year that offers specific recommendations for changing policies to reduce costs for ratepayers while allowing utilities to operate more effectively. Additionally, the bill mandates that these stakeholder groups meet again every ten years to continue this ongoing review process.
Maddy summarySB 1267 updates the fees charged to constables and deputy constables in Pennsylvania for various legal services. The bill directly affects these law enforcement officers, the courts that employ them, and the individuals or entities required to pay for their services. It increases the cost for specific actions, such as serving legal documents, transporting defendants, and providing courtroom security, while also adjusting compensation for holding defendants and fingerprinting. Additionally, the legislation clarifies how surcharges are applied in criminal and civil cases and establishes rules for reimbursing travel expenses based on IRS rates.
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 Pennsylvania bill updates the state's Workforce Development Act to improve how local workforce boards use data and measure their performance. It requires the creation of a user-friendly digital tool called a data dashboard, which will display information on new hires, unemployment claims, and wages to help local officials track program effectiveness. The legislation also mandates that the state provide free technical assistance to help these boards interpret the data and allows for the sharing of sensitive employment records for specific evaluation purposes, while maintaining strict confidentiality rules. Local workforce development boards will be responsible for using this information to assess eligibility and research job training needs, though they can request exemptions from certain data usage duties.