Rep. Dave Madsen

Maddy summaryThis bill requires healthcare providers, including physicians and midwives, to offer pregnant and postpartum patients a standardized screening tool for mood and anxiety disorders in their primary language. It mandates that providers share information about available support resources with patients and, with consent, with their accompanying individuals or designated contacts. The legislation also directs the Department of Health to create a public awareness campaign about perinatal mental health and to maintain an updated list of counseling and assistance services.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Real Estate Licensing and Registration Act to clarify the rules governing cemeteries owned by municipalities. It requires local governments to maintain cemetery grounds but explicitly prohibits them from operating these cemeteries for the purpose of selling plots or burial spaces to make a profit. The changes directly affect municipal authorities and real estate professionals who manage cemetery properties, ensuring that public land remains non-commercial. By adding a new section to the existing law, the legislation establishes clear boundaries between public maintenance duties and commercial real estate activities.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new savings program for first-time homebuyers in the state, allowing them to open accounts specifically to save for down payments and closing costs on a single-family home. The program is administered by a new Bureau of Savings Programs within the Treasury Department, which will also manage a dedicated fund to hold contributions and earnings. To participate, individuals must apply through an online form and must not have previously owned a home in the state or another country. The money saved in these accounts can only be used for eligible housing expenses when the buyer purchases their first home.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Osteopathic Medical Practice Act to change the term "registered" to "licensed" in specific sections of the law. The change directly affects the official title and terminology used to describe osteopathic physicians within the state's regulatory framework. By updating the language, the legislation ensures consistency in how medical professionals are identified in legal documents. The bill does not alter the actual requirements for practicing medicine, only the wording used in the statute.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes a minor technical correction to the Medical Practice Act of 1985 by clarifying the definition of "registered" in the text. The amendment adds the words "licensed" to the phrase, changing it to "registered] licensed" to ensure precise terminology regarding medical professionals. This change does not alter the substantive rules or regulations of the act but serves to improve the accuracy of the legal definitions within the law.

Maddy summaryHB 2407 updates Pennsylvania's emergency management laws by adjusting the funding amounts for various grants and programs that support fire and emergency medical services companies. The bill specifically changes the financial allocations for different initiatives, such as reducing certain grant limits while increasing others, and mandates that protective equipment provided through loans must be free of PFAS chemicals. Additionally, it requires the State Fire Commissioner to report on these programs annually instead of every two years. These changes aim to refine how state funds are distributed and managed for emergency responders without altering the core purpose of the existing grant systems.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates October 6, 2024, as "German American Day" in Pennsylvania to honor the state's historical connection to German immigrants and their descendants. The legislation highlights key milestones, such as the founding of Germantown in 1683 and the significant role German ancestry plays in the Commonwealth's population and culture. By formally recognizing this date, the House aims to celebrate the enduring relationship between Pennsylvania and Germany, which is supported by strong cultural ties and economic partnerships.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House resolution that officially designates October 2024 as "Wine, Wineries and Grapes Month" in Pennsylvania. It aims to recognize the state's significant grape industry, which includes over 270 wineries and contributes approximately $1.5 billion to the local economy. The resolution encourages residents to celebrate the harvest season by visiting wineries and enjoying grape products while acknowledging the industry's historical and economic contributions.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates October 9, 2024, as "Ageism Awareness Day" throughout Pennsylvania to highlight the issue of discrimination against older adults. The resolution aims to raise public consciousness about age-based stereotypes and their negative impacts on health, finances, and the economy. By formally recognizing this date, the legislation encourages communities to promote respect and inclusion for the state's growing elderly population. The measure does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic gesture to foster dialogue on preventing ageism in society.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act to update the list of protected characteristics, explicitly adding sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, familial status, handicap, disability, and the use of support animals to existing categories like race and age. The legislation directly affects employers, employment agencies, labor organizations, and providers of housing and public accommodations by clarifying that discrimination based on these new and existing traits is unlawful. It reinforces the state's policy of ensuring equal opportunity and mandates that the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission enforce these protections through established procedures and penalties. Additionally, the bill includes provisions to protect religious exercise while maintaining the commission's powers and duties to prevent prejudice and handle complaints.