Rep. Pat Harkins

Maddy summaryHB 1621 amends Pennsylvania's Workers' Compensation Act to require that informational materials about workers' compensation procedures be provided in multiple languages. This directly affects non-English speaking workers and employers who need to understand claim processes, injury reporting, and benefits. The key provision mandates adding multilingual versions of standard informational documents to ensure accessibility. The bill focuses on improving communication clarity within the existing workers' compensation system without changing benefit amounts or eligibility rules.

Maddy summaryHR 245 is a ceremonial resolution designating June 9-13, 2025, as "Union Organizing Week" in Pennsylvania. It honors workers who have fought for the right to organize unions and bargain collectively at their workplaces. The resolution does not create new laws or policies; it is a symbolic recognition of union efforts to improve workplace safety, fair wages, and worker rights. The bill was adopted by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives on June 11, 2025, to acknowledge the contributions of organized labor to the state's economy and communities.

Maddy summaryHB 1589 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to update provisions regarding school library collections, specifically addressing books, furniture, and supplies. It directly affects public school libraries by establishing new requirements or standards for their collections under the existing code framework. The bill focuses on procedural changes to library resource management within the school system. As a referral to the Education committee (June 11, 2025), it has not yet advanced further. Specific policy details beyond the title are not provided in the available context.

Maddy summaryHB 463 prohibits "speculative ticketing," which involves buying event tickets to resell them at significantly higher prices before the event occurs. It directly affects consumers who face inflated prices and ticket sellers engaging in this practice. The bill amends the Unfair Trade Practices Law to ban buying or selling tickets for profit based on anticipated demand, not actual ownership. The bill passed the House on June 4, 2025, and is now pending review by the Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure committee.

Maddy summaryHB 1415 amends Pennsylvania's Safe Drinking Water Act (1984) to modify the powers and duties of the Environmental Quality Board. The bill's specific policy changes or direct impacts on communities, utilities, or regulations are not described in the provided context. Committee referrals (Veterans Affairs, Environmental Protection) indicate its focus but do not reveal the bill's concrete provisions. Without details on the amendments, a substantive summary of its mechanisms or affected parties cannot be provided. This bill appears to be a procedural or administrative update to the board's authority, but the context lacks the necessary policy specifics.

Maddy summaryHB 1547 bans single-use plastic bags at retail stores in Pennsylvania, requiring them to offer recycled paper bags for a 10- to 25-cent fee instead. It directly affects stores like supermarkets, convenience stores, restaurants, and farmers' markets, with exemptions for bags used with perishable foods, pharmacy medications, or dry cleaning. Retailers must post clear signs explaining the change until January 2027 and keep all fees collected from bag sales. The Department of Community and Economic Development must create educational materials and regulations to support the policy.

Maddy summaryHB 1548 authorizes Pennsylvania's State Workers' Insurance Board to sell health insurance policies directly to the general public, not just state workers. The program must include minimum coverage for inpatient/outpatient hospital care, emergency services, preventive care, and basic medical services like doctor visits, physical therapy, and lab tests. The Board may borrow up to 40% of the State Workers' Insurance Fund’s annual balance to cover claims and administrative costs, with premiums partially funding loan repayments. This program will begin on January 1, 2026, offering a new public option for health insurance in Pennsylvania.

Maddy summaryThis is a commemorative resolution (not a policy bill) designating June 22-28, 2025, as "Women Firefighters and EMS Workers Week" in Pennsylvania. It symbolically recognizes women’s contributions to firefighting and emergency medical services, highlighting their historical roles, current workforce participation (9% of firefighters, 31% of EMS workers nationally), and ongoing efforts to address barriers in these fields. The resolution has no binding policy changes or funding; it solely serves to honor these professionals through a designated week of recognition. It was referred to the Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness committee on June 3, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1096 creates the Pennsylvania Food Bucks Program, which provides financial assistance to low-income residents for purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables at participating retailers. The bill establishes a dedicated "Pennsylvania Food Bucks Program Account" within the state treasury to fund the program and requires the state to conduct research on the program's effectiveness. It directly affects eligible low-income Pennsylvanians and participating farmers and retailers by expanding access to healthy food options. The law, which passed on June 3, 2025, focuses on concrete policy changes: creating the program structure, securing funding through the new account, and mandating program evaluation.

Maddy summaryHB 1521 amends the 1935 Enforcement Officer Disability Benefits Law to clarify and update provisions for disability benefits for enforcement officers. The bill directly affects law enforcement and public safety officers, such as police and firefighters, by revising definitions used to determine eligibility for benefits. Key provisions include updated definitions that will guide how disability benefit claims are processed and approved. This change focuses on refining the legal framework for benefit administration without altering the benefit amounts.