Sen. Frank Farry

Maddy summaryThis law updates the Real Estate Licensing and Registration Act to clarify how sales agreements can be canceled in wholesale real estate deals. It specifically allows brokers and salespeople to cancel these contracts if they are sent electronically, treating digital transmission the same as traditional mail. The changes also refine the definition of "valuable monetary consideration" within the act to ensure consistency across different sections. By adjusting these definitions and procedures, the bill aims to provide clearer rules for real estate professionals handling wholesale transactions.

Maddy summarySB 375, known as Greg Moyer's Law, amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to update requirements for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillator (AED) training and equipment in schools. The bill repeals the previous mandate requiring schools to offer CPR classes every three years and replaces it with a requirement to provide both CPR and AED instruction to school employees. Additionally, the legislation establishes a new AED Program that allocates at least one percent of the School Safety and Security Fund between fiscal years 2024-2025 and 2028-2029 to purchase or discount AED devices for school buildings. This program also defines what constitutes an AED, sets specifications for their availability, and outlines reporting requirements for schools to track the number and condition of these devices.

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.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Prevailing Wage Act to clarify how "custom fabrication" is defined for public construction projects. It specifically includes offsite production of nonstandard goods like specialized HVAC components, sheet metal ducts, and prefabricated structures, while explicitly excluding standard materials such as structural steel and precast concrete. The changes aim to ensure that workers involved in creating these specific project components are covered by prevailing wage requirements, with a noted exception for general HVAC duct cleaning.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Stand with Israel Act, prohibits Pennsylvania state retirement funds and the State Treasurer from boycotting or divesting from Israel. It also bars state funding for any higher education institution that engages in such boycotts or divestment actions. The law defines these actions as financial penalties against the Israeli government or its commercial activities and applies to direct and indirect investments, while exempting certain individual employee savings plans. Compliance with the law must still follow existing fiduciary duties and prudent investing standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates a specific bridge on Pennsylvania Route 72 in Swatara Township as the Senator David J. Arnold, Jr., Memorial Bridge to honor his service. The legislation officially names the structure after the late state senator, who previously served as Lebanon County's district attorney and later as a state senator. To implement this change, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is required to install and maintain signs displaying the new name for drivers traveling in both directions. The act will become effective 60 days after being signed into law.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes minor wording changes to a Pennsylvania statute that governs electric utility planning and energy conservation programs. Specifically, it adds the word "solely" to a section and removes the word "not" from another, which alters how the law defines the scope of utility plans. These adjustments affect public utilities and the state agencies that oversee their energy efficiency initiatives. The changes do not introduce new policies or programs but instead refine existing legal language regarding how utilities must structure their conservation efforts.

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.

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 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.