Rep. Pat Harkins

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House Resolution designates October 2026 as "Polish American Heritage Month" to honor the state's Polish American community. The bill highlights historical milestones, such as the arrival of Polish settlers in Jamestown, and celebrates notable figures like General Casimir Pulaski and Marie Curie. It serves as a commemorative measure to recognize cultural contributions and does not create new laws or funding.

Maddy summaryHB 2087 amends Pennsylvania's Workers' Compensation Act to extend coverage to volunteer firefighters, ambulance corps members, and rescue squad volunteers who provide regular operational support (such as fundraising, equipment maintenance, or administrative tasks) but do not respond to emergency calls. The bill adds these volunteers to the definition of "employe" under the act, requiring such support to be conducted regularly and approved by the municipality. It explicitly excludes social members who are not involved in operational duties. This change ensures these volunteers can receive workers' compensation for work-related injuries sustained while performing their support roles. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 1522 requires building owners to install and maintain fuel gas detectors in specific types of buildings, primarily affecting commercial and multi-family residential properties. The bill mandates regular inspections and proper functioning of these detectors to prevent gas leaks. Building owners who fail to comply face fines or other penalties as outlined in the legislation. The bill is currently under review by the Consumer Protection, Technology & Utilities committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the enforcement powers of Pennsylvania's Pharmacy Audit Integrity and Transparency Act to address how Pharmacy Benefit Managers handle Medicaid prescriptions. It directly affects PBMs, pharmacies, and pharmacists by requiring PBMs to accept and process prescriptions from any pharmacy or pharmacist that is in good standing with state regulators. The law prohibits PBMs from limiting patient access to specific pharmacies based on the PBM's own private contracting choices. These changes are designed to ensure that Medicaid patients can use any qualified pharmacy without facing artificial restrictions imposed by their benefit manager.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House resolution designates September 2026 as "Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Month" to raise awareness about child hunger and food waste in the state. The document highlights statistics on food insecurity among students and discusses strategies like "share tables" to help reduce waste while providing extra meals. It serves as a symbolic gesture to focus attention on these issues rather than implementing new laws or funding changes.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House resolution designates the week of April 13 through 17, 2026, as "Local Government Week" and April 22, 2026, as "Local Government Day" within the state. The measure aims to highlight the work of the Commonwealth's thousands of local officials and employees who provide essential services such as road maintenance, public safety, and utilities. By formally recognizing these contributions, the bill seeks to bring attention to the importance of local governance in daily community life.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates May 2026 as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month in Pennsylvania to highlight the importance of road safety for all drivers. The resolution encourages motorists to be more alert when sharing the road with motorcyclists and supports existing safety programs. It does not change any laws or regulations but serves as a symbolic reminder to promote awareness and safe riding practices.

Maddy summaryHR 390 is a ceremonial resolution recognizing March 2026 as "Women's History Month" in Pennsylvania. It does not create new laws or policies but formally acknowledges women's historical contributions to Pennsylvania and the nation through symbolic recognition. The resolution invites all Pennsylvanians to reflect on women's economic, cultural, and social roles, as detailed in the preamble's historical context. This is a non-binding gesture with no direct impact on specific groups or funding.

Maddy summaryHouse Resolution 408 designates April 2026 as "Financial Literacy Month" in Pennsylvania. This symbolic resolution does not create new laws or requirements but encourages public awareness and education about financial literacy, aligning with national observances like President Biden's 2021 proclamation. It follows Pennsylvania's history of supporting financial education initiatives without imposing obligations on individuals or organizations.

Maddy summaryThis bill would create a state-funded paid family and medical leave program for eligible workers needing time off for health issues, childbirth, or family care. It establishes a dedicated state fund to cover leave costs, creates an advisory board to guide implementation, and assigns oversight to the Department of Labor. The program would directly affect employees in the state who qualify for these leave types, requiring employers to provide the benefits. The bill also specifies penalties for businesses failing to comply with the new requirements.