Rep. Maureen Madden

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania laws regarding how the State Treasurer can distribute small amounts of unclaimed money or property left by deceased residents. It allows the Treasurer to pay these funds directly to eligible family members, such as spouses, children, or parents, without appointing a formal legal representative if the estate is valued at $11,000 or less and no five-year waiting period has passed. To receive the money, claimants must provide a death certificate and a sworn affidavit proving their relationship to the deceased and confirming that no personal representative has been appointed. The legislation also clarifies that once the State Treasurer makes a payment to an eligible family member, they are no longer responsible for how those funds are used.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies state laws regarding student attendance to protect children from being removed from school when their guardians live outside the district or provide false residency information. It requires schools to offer a formal hearing and an opportunity to appeal before disenrolling any affected student, ensuring parents or guardians are informed of their rights under federal homeless student protections. The legislation also mandates that schools provide clear, understandable information about these rights and allows a court order to be the only other reason for immediate removal. Overall, the measure aims to ensure due process for families facing potential school enrollment issues while maintaining compliance with federal guidelines.

Maddy summaryHB 1032 establishes a new grant program called Solar for Schools to fund solar energy projects at educational institutions. The bill also creates a legal framework requiring owners of solar facilities on leased land to provide financial guarantees that cover the cost of removing the equipment when it stops producing electricity. These financial assurances must remain in place even if the facility is sold to a new owner, ensuring that the original landowner is protected. Additionally, the legislation authorizes the Department of Community and Economic Development to manage these grants and outlines specific rules for solar agreements to prevent future cleanup costs from falling on property owners.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's military affairs laws to update the list of partners involved in the state's veterans outreach programs. Specifically, it replaces the term "county directors" with "veteran and community outreach partners" who work under the PA VETConnect Program or other department-administered initiatives. The change aims to broaden the scope of recognized collaborators in community engagement efforts for veterans. This legislative update is an editorial adjustment to the existing statutes rather than a new policy initiative.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania law creates a new legal mechanism to protect individuals and organizations when they are sued over their public speech, news reporting, or artistic work. It allows people who are wrongly sued to recover their legal fees and, in cases of malicious harassment, potentially punitive damages. The legislation grants immunity from lawsuits to those exercising free speech rights on matters of public concern, provided they can prove the lawsuit lacks merit. However, the law does not apply to government officials acting in their official capacity, businesses selling goods or services, or claims involving bodily injury, trade secrets, or internal corporate disputes. Additionally, it requires state court and legislative offices to update their resources to reflect these new protections.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Commission for Agricultural Education Excellence to oversee and improve agricultural education programs in Pennsylvania schools. It creates a new governing body with specific membership requirements, initially including representatives from farming, industry, and education, with the composition changing after September 30, 2024. Under the new structure, members will be appointed by state officials and legislative leaders, including the Education and Agriculture Secretaries, as well as the Senate and House leadership. The commission will operate with staggered three-year terms to ensure continuity, and its members must have relevant backgrounds in agriculture, teaching, or business.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Fair Contracting for Health Care Practitioners Act, prohibits employers from enforcing noncompete agreements that restrict health care practitioners from working in Pennsylvania. It declares such contracts void if signed on or after the law takes effect, and invalidates older agreements when a practitioner renews their license or certification. While the law bans restrictions on where doctors can work, it still allows employers to recover certain relocation and training costs over a five-year period. Additionally, the bill requires employers to notify patients within 90 days of a doctor's departure, explaining whether the practitioner will remain in the area or be replaced. The legislation also mandates a study by the Health Care Cost Containment Council to further examine these issues.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the state Department of Health to hold annual regional meetings with long-term care nursing facilities to gather feedback on how the department conducts its surveys. The primary goal is to improve cooperation and communication between the department and these facilities, with the option to hold meetings either in-person or virtually. Any information shared during these meetings is protected from being used in criminal, civil, or administrative cases, unless the data is unrelated to facility performance, knowingly false, or independently verified. Additionally, records collected during these sessions are exempt from public access under the state's Right-to-Know Law.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania laws to require parents receiving state assistance to actively cooperate in establishing paternity and securing child support for their children. It mandates that applicants must appear before a court to address potential fathers before receiving aid, with exceptions only if alternative methods are equally efficient. The legislation also establishes that providing names of two putative fathers who are later excluded by genetic testing will create a presumption of noncooperation, which can only be overturned with strong evidence. Finally, the bill outlines specific penalties for failing to cooperate, including the termination of medical benefits and a reduction of cash assistance by at least 25%.

Maddy summaryHB 897 updates Pennsylvania's Public School Code to streamline credit transfers between public colleges and universities by establishing new definitions and admission standards. The bill guarantees that students transferring with an associate degree or 30 credits will receive full junior standing and face the same admission and retention requirements as students who started at their new institution. It also creates a Dual Credit Innovation Grant Program and mandates specific data reporting to improve transparency and accountability within the higher education system.