Rep. Maureen Madden

Maddy summaryThis bill requires law enforcement officers to have a valid judicial warrant before making civil immigration arrests on Pennsylvania state property, which includes state buildings and grounds in Dauphin, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Scranton counties. The legislation mandates that officers must show the warrant to any state employee who asks to see it during such arrests. Violations of these requirements could result in a $10,000 civil penalty for each offense, which would be paid to the Commonwealth and enforced by the Attorney General. The bill does not prevent the investigation or enforcement of criminal immigration laws, and it clarifies that sovereign immunity protections do not apply to lawsuits brought under this new provision.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes rules for law enforcement actions on courthouse grounds in Pennsylvania, primarily restricting civil arrests related to immigration enforcement without a judicial warrant. It directly affects law enforcement officers, courthouse staff, and individuals seeking access to court proceedings. The key provisions prohibit detaining or arresting people on courthouse property for immigration violations unless the officer holds a valid judicial warrant and must show documentation to any court employee who asks. The law also defines who qualifies as a "court companion" to protect individuals accompanying parties to court and includes penalties of up to $10,000 for violations while providing immunity to courthouse employees acting in good faith.

Maddy summaryHB 2253 requires Pennsylvania public high schools to hire school life support coaches to provide daily nonclinical emotional support to students. High-need schools (defined by factors like poverty rates, attendance issues, or dropout risk) must employ one coach for every 300 students, while other schools must have one for every 500 students. Coaches must hold specific educational qualifications (e.g., bachelor's degree with two years of experience), complete training in trauma-informed care and crisis response, and focus on mentorship and resource connection without providing therapy or diagnosis. The Department of Education will guide districts on equitable compensation, and coaches must refer students needing clinical services to licensed staff.

Maddy summaryHB 2250 requires Pennsylvania school districts (second, third, and fourth class) to obtain voter approval via referendum or hold a public hearing before constructing new schools or making substantial additions to existing buildings. It sets specific cost thresholds based on student capacity: $2,800 per elementary student, $4,200 for middle school students, and $5,200 for high school students. If a project exceeds initial cost estimates by 8% or surpasses these per-pupil limits, a second public hearing is mandated before final state approval. This bill directly affects school districts by adding procedural steps for major construction decisions, ensuring community input before significant spending.

Maddy summaryHB 2241 requires Pennsylvania hospitals and medical offices to publish standard charges for services online in a readable digital format and provide printed copies upon request. It mandates that hospitals list all standard charges - including gross charges, negotiated rates with insurers, and discounted cash prices - for every item or service, including both inpatient and outpatient care. The bill specifically requires a simplified, consumer-friendly list of "shoppable services" (like elective procedures patients can schedule in advance) alongside the full charge list. This applies directly to all hospitals operating under Pennsylvania's Health Care Facilities Act, aiming to help patients compare costs before receiving care.

Maddy summaryHB 1923 establishes new workplace safety requirements for meat packing and food processing facilities by mandating facility health and safety committees. It creates a dedicated workers' rights coordinator position within the Department of Labor and Industry to oversee compliance and address concerns. The bill also adds specific public health emergency protections for workers during outbreaks or crises, requiring employers to follow state health guidelines. These changes directly affect workers and employers in the meat and food processing industry across the state.

Maddy summaryHB 886 requires Pennsylvania correctional institutions to provide prerelease briefings to inmates who are veterans, specifically informing them about available veterans' benefits. This bill directly affects incarcerated veterans transitioning back into civilian life by ensuring they receive information about benefits they may qualify for. The key provision mandates that these briefings be part of the general administration process for correctional facilities under Title 61 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes. The bill focuses on improving access to benefits information as part of reentry support, without altering eligibility or benefit amounts.

Maddy summaryHB 144 amends Pennsylvania's juvenile justice laws to adjust the process for "informal adjustment" in court cases involving minors. It directly affects youth and families involved in juvenile court by changing how cases can be resolved without formal court proceedings. The bill modifies specific provisions related to informal adjustment procedures within juvenile matters, while also making minor editorial corrections to the statute. This is a procedural change focused on streamlining court handling of certain juvenile cases, not a major policy shift.

Maddy summaryHB 2212 requires Pennsylvania health insurance companies and other health care payers (including health maintenance organizations and self-insured employers) to reimburse out-of-network medical facilities that meet specific criteria, such as having a four-star patient satisfaction rating, offering faster service than nearby in-network facilities, or being partially owned by physicians who are in-network with the payer. The bill mandates that payers use a "baseball-style arbitration" process for payment disputes, where an independent third party selects either the payer's or facility's proposed payment amount without modification. It defines key terms like "highest in-network rate" to standardize how payers determine fair reimbursement for services. This law directly affects health care benefit plans regulated under Pennsylvania insurance law, aiming to reduce discrimination against qualifying out-of-network providers.

Maddy summaryHB 2215 requires AI chatbot providers to verify user age using reliable methods like government-issued ID, not just birth dates, to prevent minors from accessing AI companions designed for emotional interaction. The bill prohibits creating or distributing AI chatbots that risk encouraging minors to engage in or share sexually explicit content or violent behavior, with penalties of up to $100,000 per violation. It defines "AI companion" as chatbots simulating friendship or therapy and mandates that age verification must reliably block minors without relying on IP addresses or other technical indicators. This law applies to any entity making AI chatbots available in the U.S., focusing on protecting minors from harmful content through concrete verification requirements.