Rep. Maureen Madden

Maddy summaryHB 1114 prohibits possessing a firearm in any building, property, or parking area of a polling place during an election, with three specific offense types: simple possession, possession with intent to commit a crime, or causing a firearm to be used in a crime. Simple possession is a third-degree misdemeanor, while intent or causing use is a first-degree misdemeanor. Key exceptions include law enforcement officers performing duties, individuals with concealed carry permits (who own the firearm and have a valid license), and military personnel on duty. Polling places must post notices of the law, and failure to post prevents conviction for simple possession or intent offenses. The bill directly affects voters, poll workers, and anyone entering polling areas during elections.

Maddy summaryHB 1109 would establish a legal process for "compassionate aid in dying" in Pennsylvania, allowing terminally ill adults to request medication to end their life under strict safeguards. To qualify, patients must be 18 or older, under the care of a healthcare provider, have a terminal illness confirmed by a consulting provider, and be deemed capable of making an informed decision after counseling. The process requires a written request, a waiting period, and detailed documentation to ensure the decision is voluntary and informed, while protecting healthcare providers from forced participation. Violations of the law would be subject to penalties as outlined in the bill.

Maddy summaryHB 1150 raises Pennsylvania's minimum wage to $15 per hour starting January 1, 2026, with annual increases thereafter. It also establishes a phased timeline for tipped employees: requiring higher base cash wages starting in 2025 (e.g., $5.00/hour after June 2025) and mandating that by July 1, 2029, employers must pay the full minimum wage without relying on tips. The bill ensures all tips received by employees remain their property and cannot be used by employers to meet minimum wage requirements. This directly affects most private-sector employers and tipped workers in Pennsylvania, particularly in hospitality and service industries.

Maddy summaryHB 832 requires hospitals planning to close all or most units (general hospital closure) or critical departments like emergency or maternity units (significant impact closure) to follow specific steps. Hospitals must submit a detailed closure plan for approval by the Department of Health or local health authorities at least 180 days before closing, include a health equity impact assessment, and hold two public hearings in the affected community. The bill mandates public notice, comment periods via phone and website, and ensures hospitals address community health needs before proceeding. This directly affects hospitals seeking to close operations and the communities relying on their services, aiming to prevent abrupt healthcare disruptions.

Maddy summaryHB 1081 imposes a temporary ban on cyber charter schools and their management companies from buying, leasing, or owning new property. The ban takes effect 60 days after the bill becomes law and does not apply to property already owned or acquired before that date. This policy directly affects cyber charter schools and the educational management service providers that operate them, restricting their ability to expand physical facilities through new property transactions. The bill does not impact existing buildings or operations of these schools.

Maddy summaryHB 1087 establishes Pennsylvania's Active Volunteer First Responder Education Tax Credit Program under the Tax Reform Code of 1971. It allows businesses to claim a tax credit for donating to eligible schools, with funds used to provide scholarships for certified volunteer firefighters and emergency medical services workers. To qualify, applicants must be Pennsylvania residents, certified volunteers with at least one year of service, enrolled in approved educational programs at participating institutions, and provide proof of membership from their agency. The Department of Community and Economic Development administers the program, requiring eligible schools to submit accreditation details and ensuring donations directly fund tuition and school-related fees for qualifying students. This program directly affects volunteer first responders seeking higher education and businesses contributing to their scholarships.

Maddy summaryHB 1078 updates Pennsylvania's school health requirements to strengthen vision screening and eye health examinations for students. It mandates annual vision screenings by trained school personnel for all school-aged children, with comprehensive eye exams by licensed professionals required if screenings fail. The bill specifies that students must receive eye health exams upon school admission, in fourth grade, and eighth grade, and adds requirements for exams related to special education evaluations. Schools must notify parents of failed screenings and provide resources, but are not responsible for covering exam costs or treatment. This directly affects all public and nonpublic school students in Pennsylvania.

Maddy summaryHB 1070 requires all health insurance policies covering maternity benefits in Pennsylvania to provide 24 additional hours of elective postpartum observation and care beyond the existing 48-96 hours of inpatient coverage, starting January 1, 2026. It also prohibits hospitals from involuntarily discharging postpartum patients or newborns between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m., with billing under "observation status" if discharge is refused. The bill directly affects mothers, newborns, hospitals, and health insurers by extending coverage duration and restricting nighttime discharges. The Department of Human Services must seek a federal waiver to extend government program coverage for this additional 24-hour period.

Maddy summaryHR 150 is a Pennsylvania House resolution designating April 11-17, 2025, as "Black Maternal Health Week" to highlight the disproportionate maternal health disparities affecting Black women and birthing persons in the state. It references Pennsylvania data showing Black women face maternal mortality rates twice as high as White women (148 vs. 74 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2020) and higher morbidity rates. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but aims to raise public awareness about preventable maternal health outcomes. It specifically targets state-level attention to this crisis, citing local statistics from Philadelphia and Allegheny Counties. As a symbolic resolution, it has no binding effect but seeks to spur broader discussion and action.

Maddy summaryHB 1075 amends Pennsylvania's Game Code to change how the Pennsylvania Game Commission pays for land acquisitions used as game lands. The bill removes a previous $400-per-acre payment cap, allowing the Commission to pay based solely on market value without that limit. This directly affects the Game Commission when purchasing land for conservation and landowners selling property for game land use. The key provision eliminates the specific dollar limit, requiring payments to align with local market value instead. The change takes effect immediately upon passage.