Rep. Maureen Madden

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits retail establishments in Pennsylvania from providing single-use plastic bags or standard paper bags to customers, aiming to reduce plastic waste. It defines specific exemptions for items like bulk produce, medications, and dry-cleaning services, while allowing stores to charge between 10 and 25 cents for recycled paper bags. The legislation requires businesses to post clear signage about the ban and mandates that the Department of Community and Economic Development create regulations and public education plans to enforce the new rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act to update the list of protected characteristics, explicitly adding sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, familial status, handicap, disability, and the use of support animals to existing categories like race and age. The legislation directly affects employers, employment agencies, labor organizations, and providers of housing and public accommodations by clarifying that discrimination based on these new and existing traits is unlawful. It reinforces the state's policy of ensuring equal opportunity and mandates that the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission enforce these protections through established procedures and penalties. Additionally, the bill includes provisions to protect religious exercise while maintaining the commission's powers and duties to prevent prejudice and handle complaints.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Pennsylvania State Police to report to the Attorney General and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement when a background check reveals that a person attempting to buy a firearm is unlawfully present in the United States. Additionally, it mandates that judges inform the State Police about individuals who have been found incompetent, involuntarily committed, or treated for mental health issues, as well as those with drug use or addiction problems. These changes aim to improve the sharing of critical information between state authorities and federal immigration officials regarding firearm eligibility. The law will become effective 60 days after it is signed into legislation.

Maddy summaryHB 979 amends the Pennsylvania Election Code to clarify the rules for voting in primary elections, specifically addressing the rights of unenrolled electors who have no registered political party affiliation. The bill establishes that only voters enrolled in a political party can vote in that party's primary or hold party office, while allowing unenrolled voters to choose a party at the polling place and cast a ballot for that specific election. Under the new procedures, election officers must ask unenrolled voters which party they wish to support, record that choice on their certificate, and treat them as enrolled for that single vote. Additionally, the legislation updates definitions and repeals penalties related to voters accidentally using the wrong party ballot, streamlining the process for primary election administration.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands Pennsylvania's existing rules on firearm possession by clarifying the responsibilities of individuals who are legally prohibited from owning guns. It mandates that people facing certain disabilities must surrender their firearms, ammunition, and licenses to law enforcement or transfer them to eligible buyers within a specific timeframe, with stricter requirements for those subject to abuse protection orders. The legislation also introduces new penalties for failing to comply with these surrender orders and for knowingly accepting or returning weapons to prohibited individuals before a court order allows it. Additionally, the bill outlines duties for the Office of Attorney General and establishes procedures for handling firearms in community and municipal courts.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires manufacturers of firefighting protective gear containing PFAS chemicals to attach warning labels and provide written notices to buyers in Pennsylvania. It specifically targets equipment used by municipal fire departments and volunteer fire companies, covering items like jackets, pants, gloves, and helmets. The legislation mandates that these documents be kept on file for at least three years and assigns the Office of the State Fire Commissioner with the authority to enforce the rules. Penalties for non-compliance include fines of up to $5,000 for a first offense and $10,000 for subsequent violations, with the collected funds directed to state fire and emergency medical services grant programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Pennsylvania's corporate tax code to create a specific tax deduction for medical cannabis businesses, allowing them to claim ordinary business expenses that were not deducted on their federal tax returns. It also updates the procedures for taxpayers to request tax reassessments and board reviews, extending the deadline for these petitions to 90 days for corporate taxes instead of the standard 60 days. Additionally, the legislation establishes a new settlement conference process where independent attorneys appointed by the tax board can help resolve disputes between taxpayers and the Department of Revenue. These changes directly affect medical marijuana organizations and other corporations subject to state net income tax by altering how they calculate deductions and how they appeal tax assessments.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the text of House Bill 1371 to correct specific errors in the language regarding how certifying officials and agencies process petitions. The changes include updating references to federal definitions, adjusting section numbers, and clarifying that agencies must provide specific details when denying a petition due to a petitioner's failure to provide requested information. These amendments refine the procedural rules for handling certification forms without altering the core purpose of the original legislation.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the sale, manufacture, or distribution of firefighting protective gear containing intentionally added PFAS chemicals starting January 1, 2028. The law allows for exceptions if the State Fire Commissioner determines that using these chemicals is unavoidable and issues specific guidance. Violations of the ban can result in civil penalties of up to $5,000 for a first offense and up to $10,000 for subsequent offenses. Any fines collected from these penalties will be split equally between the Fire Company Grant Program and the Emergency Medical Services Grant Program.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to hire a private company to design, market, and sell custom vehicle license plates. Under the new rules, the state would sign a multi-year contract with a vendor who manages online sales, handles plate manufacturing, and collects fees for both the plates and any personalized text added to them. The law specifies that these custom plates are only available for motorcycles and standard passenger vehicles weighing 14,000 pounds or less, while also requiring the vendor to pay a guaranteed minimum amount of revenue to the state. All money collected from these sales and fees would be deposited into the state's Motor License Fund, and the vendor would be prohibited from unreasonably limiting their marketing plans or the variety of designs offered.