Sen. Michele Brooks

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution commemorates the 77th anniversary of the United States Air Force and the Air National Guard. It highlights the history of these branches, noting their establishment in 1947 and their service in various conflicts and disaster relief efforts. The bill serves as a formal acknowledgment of their contributions and does not alter any laws or policies.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution designates September 2024 as "Childhood Cancer Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania to highlight the impact of pediatric cancer on the state's youth and families. The bill does not create new laws or change funding but serves as a symbolic gesture to raise public awareness about the disease and the state's existing support systems. It acknowledges Pennsylvania's role as a leader in pediatric care by recognizing its seven Children's Oncology Group hospitals and the millions of dollars already allocated to research. The resolution encourages residents to join the fight against the disease and honors the patients, families, and medical professionals involved in the cause.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a concurrent resolution that asks the state legislature to officially recognize October 13, 2024, as the 249th birthday of the United States Navy. It does not create new laws, change funding, or affect any specific group of people, as it serves only as a symbolic gesture to honor the Navy's history and values. The text highlights the service's long tradition of protecting the nation and its core principles of honor, courage, and commitment.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates November 10, 2024, as Marine Corps' Day in Pennsylvania to honor the 249th anniversary of the United States Marine Corps' founding. The bill does not change any laws or create new programs; instead, it serves as a formal statement of recognition within the state legislature. By passing this measure, the Senate acknowledges the historical contributions and service of the Marine Corps without altering existing policies or affecting specific individuals.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates September 20, 2024, as POW/MIA Recognition Day in Pennsylvania to honor soldiers who are prisoners of war or missing in action. The bill does not change any laws or require new actions from government agencies; instead, it serves as a symbolic gesture to acknowledge the sacrifices of these service members and their families. By setting aside a specific date for recognition, the measure aims to keep the memory of those unaccounted for from past conflicts alive within the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's Fiscal Code to clarify how individuals can claim abandoned or unclaimed property held by the state. It allows any person with an interest in such property to file a formal claim using a specific form provided by the State Treasurer. Additionally, the law permits the State Treasurer to automatically distribute property or its sale proceeds to a person if that person is identified as the sole owner and the item's value is under $500, even without a filed claim. The changes apply to the state government and affect anyone holding unclaimed assets or seeking to recover them.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Public School Code of 1949 to update teacher certification requirements, specifically creating new pathways for career and technical education instructors. Under the new rules, individuals can qualify for teaching certificates by demonstrating extensive work experience, such as four years in a trade, or by combining two years of experience with a bachelor's degree. The legislation also establishes specific criteria for instructors with backgrounds as volunteer firefighters or emergency medical technicians, allowing them to teach related occupational skills if they have four years of service. Additionally, the bill modifies funding formulas for student-weighted basic education and adjusts provisions related to school safety, higher education, and library aid.

Maddy summarySB 82 updates Pennsylvania's Dog Law by clarifying definitions and strengthening regulations for dog kennels and licensing. The bill establishes specific criteria for what constitutes a commercial kennel versus a service dog kennel, which is defined as a nonprofit organization exclusively breeding and training dogs to assist people with disabilities. It mandates stricter health protocols for imported dogs, requiring a 14-day quarantine unless the animal has recent negative tests for heartworm and parasites along with updated vaccinations. Additionally, the law expands the grounds for revoking kennel licenses to include convictions for animal cruelty and assault against service or guide dogs.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Pennsylvania's fishing and hunting license laws to offer special discounts to volunteer firefighters. It allows eligible volunteer firefighters to purchase an annual resident fishing license for just one dollar if they provide proof of their service over the past year. Additionally, the legislation creates a new category of hunting licenses for volunteer firefighters, also priced at one dollar, while maintaining standard resident hunting license exemptions. These changes apply to anyone who has served as a volunteer firefighter in good standing within the state for at least twelve months.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Public School Code of 1949 to establish a new Child Reunification Program within the Department of Education. The legislation specifically modifies the preliminary provisions of the existing act to create this program, which aims to support families in reuniting children with their parents or guardians. A minor technical change is also included, which removes the word "inkless" from the text. The bill does not detail the specific operational rules or funding for the program, focusing instead on its creation within the state's education framework.