Rep. Kyle Donahue

Maddy summaryHB 2353 establishes civil liability for entities that use artificial intelligence or other automated systems to create deceptive campaign advertisements featuring current or former candidates. The bill defines "covered persons" as firms, political committees, foreign governments, and individuals acting on their behalf, while also clarifying that generative AI and synthetic content like deepfakes fall under these regulations. To avoid liability, covered persons must provide clear and conspicuous disclosures stating that an advertisement contains manipulated or generated content, with specific formatting requirements for text, video, and audio formats. If a covered person fails to provide such a disclosure and is found liable, the law requires the immediate removal of the advertisement and imposes financial penalties based on the jurisdiction where the candidate filed with election officials.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows teachers in Pennsylvania who have voluntarily placed their teaching certificates on inactive status for at least seven years to take college courses for free or at a 50% discount. The State Board of Education will create and update a list of approved colleges offering these specific tuition-reduced credits every three years. To fund this program, the state will reimburse colleges annually for the waived tuition costs, with reports on enrollment numbers submitted to the General Assembly each June.

Maddy summaryHB 2500 legalizes the adult use of cannabis in Pennsylvania by establishing a regulatory framework for its possession, sale, and consumption. The bill designates the Department of Agriculture as the primary agency responsible for overseeing the industry, including licensing businesses and enforcing rules on advertising, packaging, and laboratory testing. It creates two new funds to support the industry and promote social equity, while also imposing specific sales and excise taxes on cannabis products. Additionally, the legislation consolidates existing medical cannabis provisions and transfers certain regulatory powers from the Department of Health to the Department of Agriculture.

Maddy summaryThis resolution officially designates September 2024 as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month within the state of Pennsylvania. The measure highlights the importance of early detection and screening for men, noting that the disease primarily affects older males and can be asymptomatic for years. While the primary function is symbolic, the bill also includes a provision urging the U.S. Congress to pass legislation that would mandate health insurance coverage for prostate cancer screenings.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Workers' Compensation Act to update how benefits are calculated and distributed, particularly for cases involving death or long-term injuries. It clarifies that pre-injury settlement agreements are generally invalid and ensures that workers can still sue for damages even if they receive certain other benefits, while also adjusting how unemployment and Social Security payments offset workers' compensation awards. The legislation establishes a new schedule for paying death benefits to dependents and creates a minimum weekly compensation floor of $100 for injuries occurring before 1993, with state funding to cover the difference. Additionally, it updates definitions and procedures for self-insured employers and the Uninsured Employers Guaranty Fund to improve administrative clarity.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Maternal Care Access Program within the Pennsylvania Department of Health to improve maternal health outcomes by directing resources to underserved areas. The legislation defines specific terms like "maternity care desert" and "at-risk" zones based on the availability of obstetric care, birth centers, and medical providers. It authorizes the department to distribute funds to birth centers, obstetrician-gynecologists, certified nurse midwives, and hospitals located in designated zones that lack adequate care options. Additionally, the bill establishes criteria for identifying distressed hospitals and outlines various health and social indicators used to assess maternal vulnerability.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires correctional officers in Pennsylvania to use safety seat belts when transporting detained individuals or inmates in vehicles. It allows for exceptions if using a seat belt would endanger the officer or others, or if the person is being transported on a bus. The Department of Corrections must create specific regulations for seat belt use within 120 days, including rules for transporting pregnant individuals. The law applies to all peace officers and other authorized personnel who transport detainees under official detention.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows local taxing authorities in Pennsylvania to offer property tax exemptions to developers who redevelop old churches, hospitals, and schools. To oversee these efforts, it creates a new advisory committee within the State Planning Board and gives the Department of Community and Economic Development new powers and responsibilities. The law defines redevelopment as major repairs or construction that improve safety and utility, rather than simple maintenance, and requires developers to sign agreements outlining the terms of the tax breaks.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a minimum hourly wage of $20 or a living wage for education support professionals in Pennsylvania public schools, effective for the 2024-2025 school year. It requires schools to pay overtime at 1.5 times the standard rate and mandates that salaried workers be paid based on their actual hours worked to meet this threshold. For employees currently covered by existing contracts with lower wages, the law requires schools to make supplemental payments to bridge the gap until the contract expires or is renewed. The Department of Labor and Industry is tasked with calculating and annually adjusting the living wage based on inflation data, while the state provides funding to school districts to cover the cost of these wage increases. Additionally, the legislation updates procedures for school boards, requiring a majority vote and proper recording for certain decisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Health Care Facilities Act to change licensing requirements specifically for abortion facilities. It removes the mandate that these facilities must have transfer agreements with nearby hospitals and eliminates the requirement for physicians and medical staff working there to hold admitting privileges at a hospital. Additionally, the legislation repeals an existing state regulation related to these licensing standards. These changes directly impact how abortion clinics are regulated and the operational requirements for their medical staff.