Rep. Joanne Stehr

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House resolution designates October 29, 2024, as "World Stroke Day" to raise awareness about the condition. The measure highlights key facts about strokes, such as their status as a leading cause of disability and the importance of immediate medical care. It also urges the state to improve education on stroke signs and enhance access to appropriate treatment for patients.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's Medical Marijuana Act to establish a formal registration system for physicians who recommend medical cannabis. Under the new rules, the Department of Health can place conditions on a doctor's registration, such as probation, limits on how many patients they can certify, mandatory supervision by another doctor, or specific reporting requirements. To be eligible for registration, a physician must not have been convicted of a felony related to controlled substances in the five years prior to applying. The law takes effect 60 days after it is passed.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's drug laws to create a formal process for adding new opioid overdose reversal medications to state standing orders. It requires the Department of Health to review new drugs, accept public comments, and publish decisions within specific timeframes before updating the list of approved medications. The legislation also allows interested parties to petition for the reconsideration of previously rejected drugs if new information becomes available. By establishing these clear steps, the bill aims to streamline how emergency overdose treatments are authorized and made available for use.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows minors who are family members of active-duty military personnel to receive credit for driving experience gained in other states when applying for a Pennsylvania driver's license. Specifically, it permits these minors to count the time they held a learner's permit and the hours of practical driving completed elsewhere toward the state's requirements, provided they now live with the service member in Pennsylvania. The law applies to minors under 18 seeking a junior driver's license, including those wanting to operate a motorcycle. The changes take effect 60 days after the bill is passed.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the membership rules for Pennsylvania's State Veterans' Commission to ensure broader representation of different veteran groups. It mandates that the commission include representatives from sixteen specific national veterans' organizations, such as the American Legion and VFW, along with four members appointed by the Governor who must be female or Vietnam-era veterans. The legislation also clarifies the roles of state-level leaders from the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, and Veterans of Foreign Wars as nonvoting members. These changes aim to modernize the commission's composition while maintaining its existing structure under Pennsylvania law.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends an existing law to expand eligibility for grants that help pay off student loans for healthcare workers serving in rural areas or medically underserved communities. The primary change broadens the definition of eligible recipients from just physicians and nurses to include all types of medical practitioners, such as midwives, and adds rural health clinics as qualifying employers. Additionally, the bill adjusts the grant award structure to allow payments in increments of up to $10,000 and extends the repayment period for recipients from 60 to 90 months. These modifications aim to increase the pool of eligible professionals and improve the financial terms of the loan repayment assistance program.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Pennsylvania Election Code to require the Secretary of the Commonwealth to create a public website for reporting election results. The site must display data for each race showing how many precincts have reported their votes and how many remain unreported, with this information available from the election day until all results are certified. The change directly affects the Secretary of the Commonwealth's duties and provides voters with real-time visibility into election progress. The law is set to take effect 60 days after being signed.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the TRICARE Premium Reimbursement Program to provide financial grants to members of the Pennsylvania National Guard who are eligible for TRICARE Reserve Select coverage. The program allows eligible recipients to receive reimbursement for health insurance premiums paid for themselves and their immediate family members, as well as premiums for TRICARE dental coverage for themselves and their families. To qualify, individuals must submit an application with personal contact information, details about family members, a statement confirming their eligibility, and proof of premium payments. The Department of Military Affairs will manage the program, post application forms online, and create necessary rules to administer the grants.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House resolution asks the U.S. Congress to change federal rules so that military reservists who are also eligible for federal employee health insurance can join the TRICARE Reserve Select program. Currently, federal employees serving in the National Guard or armed forces reserves are barred from enrolling in this specific health coverage, which the bill argues creates a financial disincentive for them to work for the government. The measure does not alter any laws directly but serves as a formal recommendation to lawmakers to address this eligibility gap.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows grandparents and great-grandparents in Pennsylvania to seek partial or supervised physical custody of their grandchildren under specific circumstances. It grants standing to these relatives when a parent has died, when the child has lived with the grandparent for at least 12 months before being removed by the parents, or when the parents are in custody proceedings and disagree about the grandparent's role. The law also permits grandparents to file for custody if neither parent has care of the child or if a parent has supervised physical custody, provided the grandparent has shown a sustained interest in the child's welfare. This legislation directly affects families navigating child custody disputes by expanding the legal options available to extended family members.