Rep. Maureen Madden

Maddy summaryThis bill (HB 1252) amends Pennsylvania's Credit Services Act to prohibit credit services organizations from discriminating against consumers based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. It specifically bans denying credit, increasing fees, restricting credit amounts, or imposing different terms for these reasons. The law allows organizations to still consider credit history and apply community property laws. This directly affects all credit services providers and their customers in Pennsylvania.

Maddy summaryHB 1241 amends Pennsylvania's Auctioneer Licensing Act to require auction companies selling horses to verify and publicly post identifying information (microchip numbers, tattoos, or brands) on their website before listing. It mandates a 72-hour waiting period after posting before a horse can be offered for sale, and requires auction companies to maintain detailed records of compliance for one year. This bill directly affects horse auction companies in Pennsylvania by adding transparency measures to help verify ownership and prevent the sale of stolen horses. The key provisions focus on mandatory identification checks, public online disclosure, and recordkeeping, without changing existing licensing requirements.

Maddy summaryPennsylvania's House Resolution 193 urges the President to unfreeze federal funds already approved by Congress and stop future freezes of such funds. It specifically references over $700 million in federal infrastructure funding for Pennsylvania projects - like rail service between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg, new passenger routes, EV charging stations, and bridge repairs - that remain unspent due to the freeze. The resolution cites legal challenges (including two federal court orders blocking the freeze) and notes the President's administration has not restored these funds despite court rulings. It argues the freeze violates the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974, which limits the President's authority to unilaterally withhold congressionally appropriated funds. This is a symbolic state-level resolution with no legal effect on federal policy.

Maddy summaryHB 1248 amends Pennsylvania's ethics and benefits laws for state officials. It prohibits former members of the General Assembly (who were first elected after the bill's effective date) from receiving state pension or health benefits during any calendar year they lobby for compensation before the legislature. The bill also updates financial disclosure requirements for public employees and officials. This restriction applies only to legislators who first took office after the law becomes effective. The bill takes effect in 60 days.

Maddy summaryHB 1242 requires Pennsylvania's Department of Health to establish a bone marrow donor recruitment program that educates residents about registering with the National Marrow Donor Program and the bone marrow donation process. The program will develop and share electronic materials - including website content and machine-readable codes - at state websites, driver's license offices, and healthcare facilities to explain donor eligibility, registration steps, and donation procedures. This bill directs the state to provide accessible information to help Pennsylvanians understand how to become bone marrow donors, with a focus on increasing participation from diverse ethnic backgrounds.

Maddy summaryHB 1259 would amend Pennsylvania's procurement laws to require contractors and subcontractors working on public work projects costing $300,000 or more to certify compliance with specific qualifications. These qualifications include maintaining required registrations and insurance, being in good standing with government agencies, and having no recent debarments, license revocations, or project defaults. The bill creates a new certification form that must be submitted with bids, and gives purchasing agencies authority to review compliance and disqualify non-compliant contractors. The Office of State Inspector General would have enforcement duties, with penalties for violations of these requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 1209 requires cyber charter schools in Pennsylvania to ensure all professional staff members hold state certification, including special education certification for those providing special education services. This amendment to the Public School Code directly affects cyber charter school employees and their employers by establishing standardized qualification requirements. The new rule takes effect 60 days after the bill is enacted, aligning cyber charter school staffing standards with those of traditional public schools.

Maddy summaryHB 1211 would allow residents of a municipality (such as a city, borough, or township) in a second-class county to vote to dissolve their local government and transfer all governance and public services - like road maintenance, sanitation, and emergency response - to the county. This would replace the municipality with an "unincorporated district" managed directly by the county, eliminating the need for a separate municipal government. The process requires a vote by the affected residents, and the county must establish an advisory committee to help oversee services in the new district. The bill specifically applies to municipalities entirely located within second-class counties that choose to pursue this option.

Maddy summaryHB 1192 establishes a "Mothers Treatment Court Pilot Program" within Pennsylvania's minor courts, targeting mothers involved in the criminal justice system who require substance abuse or mental health treatment. The bill requires the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts to create guidelines within six months for identifying eligible mothers, addressing their specific needs, and collecting data on program outcomes. Counties implementing the program must track participant referrals, charges, outcomes, and report annually - without personally identifiable information - to a public website. This pilot program, initially limited to minor courts, aims to provide court-supervised treatment alternatives rather than standard criminal penalties for qualifying mothers.

Maddy summaryHB 31 proposes a constitutional amendment to replace Pennsylvania's current Legislative Reapportionment Commission - which includes legislative leaders - with an Independent Redistricting Commission. The new commission would draw state legislative and congressional district boundaries after each federal census, following specific redistricting criteria outlined in the amendment. This change aims to reduce partisan influence by removing direct legislative control over redistricting. The bill does not detail the exact criteria but requires the commission to adhere to them when creating district maps.