Rep. Jim Haddock

Maddy summaryHB 535 bans Pennsylvania health insurers from setting annual or lifetime dollar limits on core health benefits for enrollees, whether services are provided by in-network or out-of-network providers. It applies to all individual and group health insurance policies (excluding specific types like Medicare supplements or dental/vision-only plans) and prohibits limits on benefits that were already covered without such caps in 2025 policies. The Insurance Department can enforce this through fines up to $5,000 per violation (or $10,000 for willful violations), with annual caps of $500,000 for insurers. The law does not require coverage of specific benefits but eliminates existing dollar limit practices for covered services.

Maddy summaryHB 618, the Health Insurance Access Protection Act, prohibits health insurers from denying coverage or charging higher premiums based on a person's health condition, including preexisting conditions. This law applies to both individual and group health insurance policies, protecting enrollees and their dependents from discrimination in enrollment or pricing. The Insurance Department and Commissioner are tasked with enforcing these rules, and the bill includes penalties for insurers that violate the prohibitions.

Maddy summaryHB 404 amends Pennsylvania's Insurance Company Law to extend health insurance coverage for children under family policies. It requires policies to cover dependent children up to age 26 (previously 19) and prohibits insurers from denying or restricting coverage based on a child's financial dependency, residency, marital status, school enrollment, or employment. The bill also allows group health plans to extend coverage for adult children up to age 29 if they meet specific conditions, such as not being married, having no dependents, and residing in Pennsylvania or attending school full-time. This affects all health insurance policies sold in Pennsylvania that provide dependent child coverage.

Maddy summaryHB 1031 amends Pennsylvania's nuisance laws to increase penalties for scattering rubbish or illegally dumping trash. It directly affects individuals who litter or dump waste, imposing stricter fines and community service requirements based on offense frequency. For a first offense, penalties include fines up to $2,000 and 5-30 hours of cleanup; repeat offenses escalate to fines up to $5,000 (second offense) or $20,000 (subsequent offenses), with mandatory community service up to 5 years. The bill updates existing penalties under Title 18, Criminal Code, without changing the core definition of the offense. It is scheduled to take effect six months after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 1009 requires auto insurers to notify Pennsylvania's Department of Transportation within 10 days of issuing new insurance policies specifically used as proof of financial responsibility. This directly affects insurers and drivers who need to meet the state's minimum coverage requirements for vehicle operation. The bill adds a new provision to vehicle law mandating this reporting, effective 60 days after enactment. It focuses on streamlining proof of financial responsibility verification without changing coverage requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 1008 updates Pennsylvania's vehicle registration renewal process by requiring the state Department of Motor Vehicles to send renewal notices 60 days before expiration, plus weekly text or email reminders (if contact info is on file) until renewal is completed. It applies to all vehicle owners in Pennsylvania, with commercial vehicles additionally requiring self-certification of safety inspections during renewal. The bill specifies that failing to receive a notice does not excuse the owner from renewing registration on time. This procedural change aims to reduce expired registrations through clearer communication, effective 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 989 extends a 3-day "cooling-off period" for consumers who purchase goods or services priced at $25 or more through door-to-door sales, phone calls, or online platforms. It requires sellers to provide a bilingual receipt and a detachable cancellation form at the time of sale, clearly stating the right to cancel within three business days. Consumers must return merchandise in its original condition and notify sellers in writing to cancel, with sellers required to refund payments within 10 business days. This bill directly affects buyers in these specific sales scenarios and mandates new disclosure requirements for sellers under Pennsylvania's consumer protection law.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment allowing counties (of first and second class) to create special property tax exemptions for longtime owner-occupants in neighborhoods where home values have risen significantly due to renovations or new construction nearby. It would let local governments establish uniform tax rules for these homeowners without increasing overall property tax rates to fund the exemptions. The amendment requires approval by the General Assembly and then a vote by Pennsylvania voters before taking effect.

Maddy summaryHB 1029 amends Pennsylvania's 1937 Labor Relations Act to clarify worker protections and union election processes. It defines "employe" more broadly (excluding independent contractors) and bans agreements that prevent workers from joining class or collective lawsuits. Employers must post notices about labor rights and provide detailed voter lists for union elections within two business days of a board order. The bill also adds new unfair labor practices, including coercing workers to sign agreements that limit their right to pursue collective claims. These changes directly affect Pennsylvania workers, employers, and labor organizations involved in union representation efforts.

Maddy summaryHB 982 requires that all Pennsylvania vehicle registration cards and driver's license applications include a clear statement about littering laws. The statement explains that littering from vehicles - such as dropping trash on roads, public property, or waterways - is illegal and can result in fines up to $300 or community service for litter pick-up. This applies to every vehicle owner and driver during registration or licensing, ensuring they acknowledge these rules at the point of application. The bill does not change existing littering penalties but mandates this notice to inform applicants about Section 3709 of the Vehicle Code.