Photo of Dan Laughlin
R Pennsylvania Senate · District 49

Sen. Dan Laughlin

Compare
Total votes
4,860
all sessions
Attendance
98%
53 missed
Lower than 96% of chamber peers
With party
98%
of cast votes
Near the chamber average
Bipartisan score
1%
crosses aisle rarely
Near the chamber average
Sponsored
814
bills & resolutions
Near the chamber average
Committees
7
assignments
814 bills and resolutions

Sponsored bills

Total
814
Primary
124
Co-sponsor
690
This page
814
matching current filters
Co-sponsor SB 25
In committee · Pennsylvania Senate · Co-sponsor
An Act amending the act of May 22, 1951 (P.L.317, No.69), known as The Professional Nursing Law, further providing for title, for definitions, for State Board of Nursing, for dietitian-nutritionist license required, for unauthorized practices and acts not prohibited, for temporary practice permit, for graduates of schools of other states, territories or Dominion of Canada, for persons entitled to practice, for certified registered nurse practitioners and qualifications, for scope of practice for certified registered nurse practitioners, for prescriptive authority for certified registered nurse practitioners, for Drug Review Committee, for professional liability, for reporting of multiple licensure, for continuing nursing education, for punishment for violations, for refusal, suspension or revocation of licenses, for reinstatement of license and for injunction or other process; and providing for the expiration of the State Board of Nursing's power to license certified registered nurse practitioners.

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.

In committee Jan 22, 2025 1 co-sponsor
Co-sponsor SB 75
In committee · Pennsylvania Senate · Co-sponsor
An Act amending the act of April 14, 1972 (P.L.233, No.64), known as The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act, further providing for prohibited acts and penalties.

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.

In committee Jan 22, 2025 1 co-sponsor
Co-sponsor SB 76
In committee · Pennsylvania Senate · Co-sponsor
An Act amending the act of April 17, 2016 (P.L.84, No.16), known as the Medical Marijuana Act, in patients, providing for cultivating cannabis for personal use.

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.

In committee Jan 22, 2025 1 co-sponsor
Co-sponsor SR 373
Passed · Pennsylvania Senate · Co-sponsor
A Resolution honoring the life and celebrating the achievements of the Honorable Henry George Hager III and expressing condolences to his family and friends on his passing.

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.

Passed Nov 13, 2024 1 co-sponsor
Co-sponsor SB 1347
In committee · Pennsylvania Senate · Co-sponsor
An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in financial responsibility, further providing for required financial responsibility and providing for online verification of financial responsibility.

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.

In committee Nov 7, 2024 1 co-sponsor
Co-sponsor SB 801
Signed into law · Pennsylvania Senate · Co-sponsor
An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in certification of teachers, further providing for teacher support in the structured literacy program; providing for evidence-based reading instruction; and, in charter schools, further providing for applicability of other provisions of this act and of other acts and regulations.

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.

Signed into law Oct 31, 2024 1 co-sponsor
Co-sponsor SB 1213
Signed into law · Pennsylvania Senate · Co-sponsor
An Act amending Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses) and 61 (Prisons and Parole) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in sexual offenses, further providing for the offense of unlawful dissemination of intimate image; in minors, further providing for the offense of sexual abuse of children and for the offense of transmission of sexually explicit images by minor; and making editorial changes to replace references to the term "child pornography" with references to the term "child sexual abuse material."

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.

Signed into law Oct 29, 2024 1 co-sponsor
Co-sponsor SR 361
In committee · Pennsylvania Senate · Co-sponsor
A Resolution honoring all Pennsylvania veterans who served during war and peace on the occasion of "Veterans Day," November 11, 2024.

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.

In committee Oct 24, 2024 1 co-sponsor
Co-sponsor SB 812
In committee · Pennsylvania Senate · Co-sponsor
An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in falsification and intimidation, further providing for the offense of false alarms to agencies of public safety.

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.

In committee Oct 21, 2024 1 co-sponsor
Primary SB 1341
In committee · Pennsylvania Senate · Lead sponsor
An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in certification of teachers, further providing for continuing professional development; providing for access to advanced courses for all students; establishing the Access to Advanced Courses for All Students Grant Program; and imposing duties on the Department of Education.

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.

In committee Oct 18, 2024 0 co-sponsors
Showing 241 to 250 of 814 bills
Previous 1 24 25 26 82 Next