Rep. Maureen Madden

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the existing Pharmacy Audit Integrity and Transparency Act to refine how pharmacy audits and fees are handled. It clarifies that certain insurance supplements are excluded from specific terms and changes the notice period for additional fees from the time of claim adjudication to thirty days before the fees are applied. The legislation also updates definitions to refer to "generic" drugs instead of "general" ones and expands the scope of federal employee benefit protections. Additionally, it adjusts reporting requirements for pharmacy benefit managers and the state agency overseeing these audits.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Pennsylvania laws regarding the division of property inherited by multiple people, known as heir's property. It introduces a "right of first refusal" that allows family members or other co-owners to buy a share of the property at the same price offered by an outside buyer before that buyer can purchase it. Additionally, the bill mandates a court-ordered settlement conference within 60 days of a partition lawsuit to encourage parties to negotiate a fair solution, such as a buyout or continued shared ownership. If the court finds that a party refused to negotiate in good faith during this conference, the lawsuit could be dismissed. These changes aim to simplify the legal process and help prevent the forced sale of family homes.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania insurance regulations to clarify how dental insurers and their vendors must handle fees associated with electronic payments and credit cards. It requires these entities to inform patients that such fees may apply to their payments and to provide clear instructions on how to find the exact fee amounts. The law explicitly excludes fees charged by financial institutions or merchant servicers selected by the dentist from these notification requirements. Additionally, the bill defines specific types of payment processing entities, such as payment settlement entities and merchant acquiring entities, to ensure clarity in regulatory compliance.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's corporate laws to update rules governing business entities, including corporations, partnerships, and limited liability companies. Key changes allow domestic nonprofit associations like cooperatives and planned communities to register their names to prevent duplication, clarify how certain asset transactions are classified, and specify when manager-managed LLCs can approve mergers without member votes. The legislation also refines definitions for foreign corporations, expands the types of debt terms that can be authorized, and outlines procedures for derivative legal actions by shareholders or members. These updates aim to modernize the legal framework for entity formation, transactions, and governance across various business structures in the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Liquor Code to clarify rules regarding ownership interests and employment within the alcohol industry. It specifically allows individuals who own a manufacturer of malt or brewed beverages to work for hotels, restaurants, or clubs, provided they do not serve as a manager or handle alcohol service. Additionally, the legislation establishes new promotion boards for the malt and brewed beverages and distilled spirits industries while updating provisions for license surrenders and operating hours. These changes aim to modernize regulations governing the sale and production of alcohol without restricting business ownership across different sectors.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's driver licensing laws to better support minors and homeless youth. For minors, it requires a signed certification from a parent or guardian confirming that the driver has completed 65 hours of supervised practice, including specific amounts of night and bad weather driving, before taking their license test. The legislation also allows homeless children and youth to use temporary addresses like schools or shelters when applying for licenses and exempts them from paying the associated fees. Additionally, it clarifies that the adults who sign these certifications are not legally liable for the minor's driving behavior.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Contraceptive Access for All Act, requires all government health programs and private health insurance policies in the state to cover FDA-approved contraceptive drugs, devices, and products without charging the patient any out-of-pocket costs. The law specifically mandates that these contraceptives be included in coverage without requiring prior authorization, step therapy, or any form of cost-sharing such as deductibles or copayments. It applies to a wide range of standard medical insurance plans while explicitly excluding limited policies like dental-only or accident insurance. Additionally, the bill assigns duties to the Insurance Department and the Department of Human Services to oversee compliance and establishes penalties for entities that fail to meet these new coverage requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Public School Code of 1949 to establish a Board of Governors for the State System of Higher Education. The board will consist of 22 appointed members, including two new nonvoting positions for a nonfaculty employee and a faculty member from constituent institutions. These nonvoting members will attend regular meetings but will not have voting power, except potentially in specific conflict of interest situations. The legislation also clarifies the board's authority to appoint these student, faculty, and nonfaculty members to its councils. The changes are set to take effect 60 days after the bill is enacted.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's Public School Code to strengthen policies against bullying and cyberbullying for all public, private, and parochial schools. It requires school districts to adopt or revise their anti-bullying rules by January 1, 2009, to include clear definitions of bullying and cyberbullying, specific disciplinary consequences, and procedures for notifying parents within five days of an incident. The law defines bullying as severe or persistent acts that disrupt a student's education or school environment, while cyberbullying specifically involves these acts committed through computers or mobile devices during school hours. Additionally, the bill mandates that schools designate a staff member to receive bullying reports and ensures parent notifications comply with federal privacy laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Department of Human Services to create a plan for maternal home visiting programs that are voluntary and subject to available funding. The legislation removes language mandating universal access and eliminates references to impact bonds, instead focusing on assessing the potential to expand these services. It also requires the department to submit an annual report to the General Assembly by December 31 of each year, which must include recommendations for future legislative action.