Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Pennsylvania's domestic relations laws to restrict financial support in cases where one spouse has been convicted of a personal injury crime against the other. Under the new rules, a victim of such a crime would generally be ineligible to receive spousal support or temporary alimony unless a court determines that denying it would cause a significant unfairness. To decide if an exception applies, judges must examine whether there is a history of harassment or existing protection orders involving the parties. Additionally, the law allows the injured party to recover any money they paid to the convicted spouse after the offense but before the conviction was finalized. These changes apply to legal cases that begin after the bill becomes effective 60 days later.
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Maddy summaryThis bill requires all public, private, and parochial school buildings in Pennsylvania to be tested for radon gas starting in the 2025-2026 school year. If a building's radon levels reach four picocuries per liter or higher, the school must take steps to reduce those levels and retest until they drop below that threshold. The law also mandates that new schools be built using radon-resistant construction techniques and requires regular retesting every five years for safe buildings or every two years for those with elevated levels. Additionally, schools must report testing results and mitigation plans to parents, teachers, and various state agencies within sixty days of receiving the data.
Maddy summarySB 1324 updates the definition of "income" used to determine eligibility for Pennsylvania's senior citizens property tax and rent rebate assistance programs. The bill clarifies that Social Security benefits received before 1999 are fully counted as income, while benefits received in 1999 and later count only half toward the income limit. It also includes a temporary provision ensuring that seniors who qualified for these rebates by December 31, 2012, will remain eligible even if their income exceeds the limit due to a Social Security cost-of-living adjustment, though this protection expires on December 31, 2016. The legislation also explicitly lists several types of payments, such as surplus food, veterans' disability payments, and inflation dividends, that are excluded from the income calculation.
Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania laws to allow municipalities to regulate unauthorized camping and encampments on private property that lack sanitation or create unsanitary conditions. It defines these encampments as public nuisances and gives local governments the authority to issue notices to property owners, requiring them to remove the encampment within 30 days or face abatement at their expense. The legislation also establishes that property owners, including corporations and trusts, are liable for cleanup costs and fines, even if they cannot be personally served with notices, and allows cities to deny certain permits to owners who fail to address serious violations or unauthorized encampments.
Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution designates September 2024 as "Vertebral Subluxation Awareness Month" within the state of Pennsylvania. The measure aims to highlight the importance of chiropractic care by acknowledging the role of chiropractors in identifying and correcting spinal misalignments. By officially recognizing this month, the resolution seeks to increase public awareness about vertebral subluxations and their potential impact on nerve function and overall health.
Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution formally recognizes September 2024 as Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month throughout Pennsylvania. The bill highlights the severity of the disease by citing statistics on diagnoses, deaths, and the challenges of early detection, while also acknowledging the impact on Pennsylvanian families. It calls on the state to honor the struggles of those affected and to support efforts aimed at improving treatment and finding a cure. As a symbolic measure, the resolution does not alter laws or allocate funding but serves to raise public awareness about the condition.
Maddy summaryThis bill asks the Pennsylvania Senate to officially recognize October 2024 as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. The resolution highlights the prevalence of pregnancy loss and infant mortality while noting disparities affecting Black families. It aims to increase public understanding and encourage compassion for those grieving these losses. By formally acknowledging the month, the bill seeks to support affected individuals and educate professionals who interact with them.
Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution officially designates October 2024 as "National Disability Employment Awareness Month" within Pennsylvania. The bill serves as a symbolic gesture to highlight the importance of employment opportunities for the state's approximately 2.7 million adults with disabilities. It does not create new laws or alter existing regulations but rather encourages employers, schools, and community groups to promote inclusive hiring practices and the value of workers with disabilities. By adopting this theme, the Senate aims to raise awareness about the goal of providing good jobs and full participation for all Pennsylvanians.
Maddy summaryThis resolution officially designates the week of September 16 through 20, 2024, as "National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week" in Pennsylvania. It aims to encourage residents to learn more about adult literacy and take part in activities that support literacy programs within the state. The bill does not create new laws or change funding but serves as a symbolic gesture to highlight the importance of adult education and workforce skills.
Maddy summaryThis resolution directs the Joint State Government Commission to study how racial harassment and discrimination affect students at Pennsylvania's colleges and universities. The study will involve consulting with students, staff, and administrators, reviewing current prevention policies, and examining strategies used by other states to combat such issues. Based on its findings, the commission must submit a report with specific recommendations for new laws to the General Assembly within 18 months. The bill focuses on gathering data and proposing policy changes rather than implementing immediate rules.