Rep. Tina Pickett

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Cancer Drug Repository Program Act to clarify definitions and expand the program's scope. It adds specific legal definitions for manufacturers and wholesale distributors and allows approved pharmacies to accept unused prescription drugs from state medical assistance programs for dispensing to patients. The legislation also updates the list of eligible entities that can return or donate drugs to the repository and requires the creation of a list of participating pharmacies. Additionally, the bill includes provisions for program fees, storage regulations, and immunity for participants.

Maddy summaryHB 2386 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to encourage school districts and intermediate units to form partnerships for sharing administrative tasks and instructional programs, such as professional services and student support. The bill authorizes these entities to jointly conduct feasibility studies to explore merging into a single district or combining individual schools within a district to improve efficiency. To facilitate these efforts, the legislation establishes a new grant program that provides funding for shared services and feasibility studies, while also outlining specific requirements for applications and reporting. Additionally, the bill repeals previous provisions that offered financial incentives specifically for administrative or instructional consolidation.

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 Pennsylvania's emergency medical services laws to update definitions for qualified applicants and establish new committees for regional oversight. It allows regional councils to request waivers from standard staffing rules for ambulances if they can prove their quality control systems are sufficient. Upon approval, local councils would manage compliance on behalf of the state, enabling agencies to operate with slightly different crew requirements while maintaining safety standards. The changes take effect 60 days after the bill is passed.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to take an easement on a small portion of land currently owned by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, specifically an area known as Lake Winola Access in Overfield Township. The transfer removes existing restrictions tied to the Project 70 program and requires that any mitigation for the loss of this land be achieved through increased public access and safety improvements. The legislation covers two specific parcels totaling about 0.13 acres along State Route 2031 and takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Fiscal Code to create a permanent funding account for the Department of Human Services, specifically targeting support for individuals with intellectual disabilities. The new account will be funded by the net proceeds from the sale of former state centers for these individuals, as well as annual transfers from the General Fund based on budget cuts or estimated operational costs of closed facilities. These funds are designated to provide home and community-based supports, including housing assistance, for people on the emergency waiting list as of the start of each fiscal year. The legislation is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, ensuring that money in the account does not lapse and remains available for these specific services.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's consumer protection laws to require social media companies to ban anyone under the age of 14 from using their platforms. To enforce this, the law mandates that companies verify a user's age by checking a government-issued driver's license and photo ID, and it restricts how these companies can store the sensitive data collected during this process. Additionally, the bill gives parents the right to request the immediate deletion of their minor child's account and all associated personal information within ten days of asking. Social media companies that knowingly allow minors under 14 to use their services or fail to follow these verification and deletion rules would face penalties for unfair trade practices.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's Outpatient Psychiatric Oversight Act to clarify who qualifies as an advanced practice professional and to define how telehealth technology is used in mental health care. It allows certified nurse practitioners and physician assistants to provide psychiatric services remotely, provided they obtain mental health certification within two years of hiring or the law's effective date. The legislation requires that at least 50% of treatment and supervision be delivered in person, though clinics can request a waiver to increase remote care if they have a nearby physical facility ready to see patients within 10 days of referral. Additionally, the bill removes outdated regulations and establishes new rules for clinic leadership, ensuring that a psychiatrist oversees treatment standards and participates in regular staff meetings.

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 Pennsylvania bill authorizes the Department of Corrections to issue electronic control gloves to corrections officers, with mandatory distribution required for officers working in units housing inmates who have received disciplinary sanctions and are segregated from the general population. The legislation mandates that the department create public written policies for the use, training, maintenance, and storage of these devices and requires all officers to complete an approved training course before receiving them. Additionally, the bill defines electronic control gloves as gloves with electrodes that emit less than 500 volts to temporarily immobilize or restrain individuals and requires their use to comply with existing state guidelines on law enforcement use of force.