Maddy summarySB 25 amends Pennsylvania's Professional Nursing Law to update regulations for certified registered nurse practitioners (CRNPs). It clarifies definitions, including "Advanced Practice Registered Nurse-Certified Nurse Practitioner" (APRN-CNP), and specifies their scope of practice, including prescribing authority for certain medications. The bill requires CRNPs to collaborate with physicians through written agreements and immediate communication protocols, while transferring oversight of CRNP licensing from the State Board of Medicine to the State Board of Nursing. These changes directly affect nurse practitioners, the State Board of Nursing, and physicians working with CRNPs in Pennsylvania.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySB 75 amends Pennsylvania's Controlled Substance Act to decriminalize minor marijuana offenses. It removes criminal penalties for possessing up to 30 grams of marijuana (or 8 grams of hashish) for personal use, distributing small amounts without intent to sell, or smoking small amounts in public spaces. Instead of misdemeanor charges, these violations now carry only minor fines: $25 for possession or non-sale distribution, and $100 for public smoking. The bill explicitly states these offenses will not trigger license suspensions under Pennsylvania law. This change directly affects individuals caught with small amounts of marijuana for personal use or non-commercial distribution.
Maddy summarySB 76 allows Pennsylvania medical marijuana patients aged 21 or older to grow up to six cannabis plants at home for personal use, provided they live in the state for at least 30 days. Patients must cultivate cannabis in a locked, enclosed space on residential property (with owner consent), purchase seeds only from licensed dispensaries, and keep plants out of public view. Selling or giving away home-grown cannabis, or exceeding the six-plant limit, results in penalties and loss of cultivation privileges. This amendment to Pennsylvania’s Medical Marijuana Act specifically affects qualifying medical patients and adds home cultivation as a permitted activity under existing program rules.
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 bill requires vehicle owners in Pennsylvania to certify that they have the necessary financial responsibility to register or renew their vehicles, with the Department of Transportation refusing registration if this certification is missing or false. It establishes an online verification system where insurers must share policy data to allow the Department and law enforcement to instantly confirm coverage status without relying solely on physical cards. While owners can still present traditional proof, the law mandates that insurers notify the Department within ten days if a policy is canceled, and it creates a defense against penalties if a driver can prove they had valid insurance within five days of a violation. Additionally, the bill sets specific technical and security standards for the new digital system, requiring it to be accessible by authorized entities and capable of interfacing with existing state databases.
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 laws regarding sexual offenses and child safety by replacing the term "child pornography" with "child sexual abuse material" to better reflect modern digital content. It specifically addresses the creation and sharing of sexually explicit images generated by artificial intelligence, defining these new technologies and expanding legal protections to include them. The legislation also clarifies penalties for transmitting such images, adjusting some offenses from felonies to misdemeanors while introducing new categories for the abuse of minors and the unlawful dissemination of intimate images.
Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution honors all Pennsylvania veterans who have served during both war and peace on Veterans Day, November 11, 2024. It encourages local communities across the state to participate in ceremonies recognizing the nearly 800,000 current residents who have served in the armed forces. The bill does not change any laws or policies but serves as a formal expression of gratitude from the Senate.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania law to clarify the definitions of "law enforcement agency" and "law enforcement officer" within the state's statutes on crimes and offenses. It specifies that a law enforcement agency is any agency in the Commonwealth that employs a law enforcement officer, while defining an officer as someone with the same legal status as a peace officer. These changes aim to ensure consistent terminology when applying laws related to false alarms and intimidation against public safety personnel. The update does not create new crimes but rather standardizes how existing legal terms are interpreted.
Maddy summarySB 1341 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to expand opportunities for students to take advanced, college-level courses and to support teacher professional development. The bill creates a new grant program designed to help schools that lack enough qualified teachers offer these rigorous classes, particularly in core subjects like math, science, and computer science. It also mandates that the Department of Education set benchmarks for course access every five years and publish reports on how districts are performing. Additionally, the law allows teachers to earn continuing education credit by coaching others in advanced coursework and participating in specific workplace orientation activities.