Rep. Jim Haddock

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House resolution designates October 29, 2024, as "World Stroke Day" to raise awareness about the condition. The measure highlights key facts about strokes, such as their status as a leading cause of disability and the importance of immediate medical care. It also urges the state to improve education on stroke signs and enhance access to appropriate treatment for patients.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania laws to clarify how public utilities value water and wastewater systems they purchase from other companies. It allows the buying utility to include the system's depreciated original cost in its rate calculations immediately after the deal closes or in its first rate filing. The law also requires that any difference between the new system's value and the seller's previous rate base be spread evenly over the next three rate cases. These changes directly affect public utility companies in Pennsylvania and the rates they charge customers for water and wastewater services.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania laws to set a strict six-month deadline for the Public Utility Commission to issue final decisions on applications regarding the valuation of water and wastewater systems acquired by public utilities. The change directly affects utility companies seeking to determine the value of these assets and the regulatory body responsible for overseeing the process. By removing the previous language that allowed for extensions, the legislation ensures a faster timeline for resolving these specific valuation cases. The act takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new rules for how Pennsylvania municipalities must sell their water and sewer systems to other public utilities. It requires the selling municipality to issue a formal request for proposals, advertise the sale in local newspapers, and provide residents with rate estimates from approved actuaries before a final decision is made. The acquiring utility must also notify its customers about the deal and any potential rate increases, while the state commission is mandated to hold at least two public hearings to review the transaction. These procedures aim to ensure transparency and protect consumers during the acquisition of public water and wastewater infrastructure.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Pennsylvania Prevailing Wage Act to update definitions regarding construction work. Specifically, it adds "rebar system assembly" to the list of covered activities while removing the phrase "or smaller prefabricated components" from the definition of prefabricated components. These changes clarify which specific tasks and materials are subject to prevailing wage requirements for public projects. The bill also outlines updated duties for the Secretary of Labor and Industry in enforcing these provisions.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania bill creates a new verification system to ensure construction contractors are properly vetted before working on projects. It requires all contractors to apply for a verification number from the Attorney General's office, which must be displayed on their advertisements and contracts. The law establishes a dedicated account to fund this process and sets up a public online list where consumers can check a contractor's status and expiration date. While most contractors must undergo this new verification, those already registered under the existing Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act are exempt. The bill also defines specific rules for penalties and outlines the detailed information businesses must provide during the application process.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates October 2024 as "Homemade Sauerkraut Month" in Pennsylvania to celebrate the cultural tradition of making fermented cabbage. The bill includes background information on the history of sauerkraut and offers practical tips for home preparation, such as using non-metal tools and allowing time for fermentation. It directly affects Pennsylvania residents by encouraging them to try making the dish themselves during the designated month.

Maddy summaryHB 2606 updates Pennsylvania's Childhood Blood Lead Test Act to mandate that health care providers test all children for lead exposure by age two, rather than merely encouraging it. The bill requires doctors to follow specific federal and pediatric guidelines for testing intervals and mandates a confirmatory test within 12 weeks if initial screening results are elevated. It also introduces an exception for parents who object to standard blood draws on religious or moral grounds, allowing providers to use noninvasive testing methods in those cases.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania laws to clarify the appointment process and duties for the Adjutant General and creates a new role for a Deputy Secretary for Veterans' Affairs. The new position must be filled by a current or former military veteran with proven executive leadership experience and knowledge of veteran benefits or nonprofit work. Additionally, the legislation establishes specific requirements for the State Veterans' Commission, including how its members are selected and how it operates. Finally, the bill authorizes grants to support veterans' service officer programs within various veterans' organizations.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's Sign Language Interpreter and Transliterator State Registration Act to expand its scope to include individuals serving deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing people. It introduces new definitions for key terms like "video remote interpreting" and establishes specific standards for recognizing national certifications from organizations such as the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf. The legislation mandates that anyone providing these services must be registered with the Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, with exceptions made for religious settings, emergency situations, and supervised academic internships. Additionally, the bill requires the office to annually review and publish a list of approved educational alternative pathway programs.