Rep. Johanna López

Maddy summaryHB 1123, titled "Sewer Collection Systems," authorizes municipalities to use designated funds for specific improvements to sewer collection infrastructure. The bill directly affects local governments (such as cities and towns) that manage sewer systems by allowing them to redirect existing funds toward these projects. Key provisions include permitting municipalities to allocate funds for sewer system maintenance, upgrades, or repairs as defined within the bill. This legislation does not create new taxes or requirements but provides a targeted mechanism for using existing municipal funds. The exact purpose for fund allocation is specified in the bill's text.

Reporting of Student Mental Health Outcomes ; Requires OPPAGA to submit initial specified evaluation to Governor & Legislature by specified date; requires office to submit final specified evaluation to Governor & Legislature by specified date; provides evaluation requirements.

Insulin Administration by Direct Support Professionals and Relatives ; Defines "direct-support professional"; authorizes direct-support professionals & relatives of clients in group home facilities for individuals with developmental disabilities to administer insulin as prescribed to client if specified conditions are met; provides group home facilities, direct-support professionals, & relatives of clients with immunity from civil liability for damages & civil & criminal penalties; authorizes unlicensed direct service provider to supervise self-administration of insulin & epinephrine through use of specified devices.

Recovery of Damages for Medical Negligence Resulting in Death; Removes provision that precluded certain persons from recovering damages for medical negligence resulting in death.

Aggravated Animal Cruelty; Requires the Department of Law Enforcement to post on its website the names of certain individuals who have violated specified animal cruelty provisions; provides a sentencing multiplier for specified offenses of aggravated animal cruelty.

Sexual Cyberharassment; Revises requirements for enhanced penalty for second or subsequent conviction; prohibits violations for pecuniary or any other financial gain; provides for award of punitive damages in civil actions; provides statute of limitations for prosecution.

Maddy summaryHB 519 allows medical practitioners (like doctors) to authorize certified paramedics to administer controlled substances during emergency medical care. This directly affects paramedics and the healthcare providers who oversee their work. The key provision requires a practitioner’s specific authorization for paramedics to use medications classified as controlled substances (such as opioids or sedatives) in urgent situations. It does not expand the types of drugs available but clarifies the process for their use under medical direction. The bill focuses on updating protocols for emergency care without changing drug classifications or creating new requirements for paramedics.

Special Observances; Designates August 21 of each year as "Fentanyl Awareness & Education Day"; encourages specified entities & public schools to sponsor events to promote awareness of dangers of fentanyl & potential overdoses, including education on specified topics.

Advertisements for Representation Services; Prohibits notaries public from using specified terms to describe themselves; creates civil cause of action for declaratory or injunctive relief & to recover damages & attorney fees & costs; requires certain businesses or persons offering immigration services to make specified disclosure; creates civil cause of action for declaratory or injunctive relief & to recover damages & attorney fees & costs.

State Land Management; Requiring public hearings for all updated conservation and nonconservation land management plans; requiring the Division of State Lands of the Department of Environmental Protection to make available to the public, within a specified timeframe, electronic copies of land management plans for parcels of a certain size and for parcels located in state parks; revising the duties of the Division of Recreation and Parks of the Department of Environmental Protection; specifying requirements for the management of parks and recreational areas held by the state; requiring the division to comply with specified provisions when granting certain privileges, leases, concessions, and permits; authorizing the division to acquire, install, or permit the installation or operation at state parks of campsites and cabins that meet certain requirements; prohibiting the division from authorizing certain uses or construction activities within a state park; prohibiting the division from installing or permitting the installation of any lodging establishment within the boundaries of a state park; requiring that individual management plans for parcels located within state parks be developed with input from an advisory group; requiring that the advisory group's required public hearings be noticed to the public within a specified timeframe, etc.