Rep. Jim Haddock

Maddy summaryThis bill requires private health insurers and state-managed health plans to cover biomarker testing when it is used to diagnose, treat, or monitor a specific disease or condition. The legislation defines biomarker testing as the analysis of tissue, blood, or other biological samples to identify indicators of biological processes, while explicitly excluding coverage for general screening purposes. Coverage for these tests must follow the same rules as other medical services, including standard cost-sharing and medical necessity reviews, and the changes will take effect 180 days after the bill is signed.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates August 19, 2024, as "Marion Munley Day" throughout Pennsylvania to honor the legacy of the late state representative. It recognizes Munley's historic achievements, including becoming the first woman elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from northeastern Pennsylvania and the first woman to serve as Secretary of the House. The document highlights her significant contributions to women's rights, such as co-authoring the state's Equal Pay Law, and aims to commemorate her life and work in promoting equality.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania resolution designates the week of August 5 through 9, 2024, as "National Conference of State Legislatures Week" to honor the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL). The bill recognizes NCSL's 50-year history of supporting state lawmakers and its role in fostering cooperation among state legislatures. It formally commends the organization for its leadership and acknowledges its upcoming 50th anniversary celebration. Copies of the resolution will be sent to NCSL to mark the occasion.

Maddy summaryThis resolution officially recognizes August 9, 2024, as Smokey Bear's 80th birthday within the state of Pennsylvania. It serves as a commemorative gesture to honor the iconic character, who is widely known for his long-running public service campaign on wildfire prevention. The document highlights Smokey Bear's cultural significance and his role in educating the public about fire safety, while also noting the importance of Pennsylvania's forests for the economy and environment.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House Resolution designates the week of June 17 through 23, 2024, as "Sanitation Workers Week" to honor the state's waste and recycling employees. The measure does not alter laws or budgets but serves as a formal gesture of appreciation from the legislature to the approximately 6,000 residents employed in the sanitation industry. It highlights the physically demanding nature of the job, which involves collecting and disposing of refuse, and acknowledges the workers' essential role in keeping communities clean, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Pennsylvania Poet Laureate position and a dedicated nomination committee to oversee the selection process. The Governor will appoint the poet laureate from a shortlist of candidates provided by the committee, which includes representatives from state arts and education agencies. The appointed poet will serve a two-year term without pay but will receive reimbursement for travel expenses while performing official duties such as reading poems at the governor's inauguration and legislative sessions. The legislation also establishes a specific committee structure to determine candidate qualifications and submit up to three finalists for the Governor's consideration.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's Medicare Supplement Insurance Act to clarify definitions and establish rules for open enrollment. It defines "medicare supplement policies" to include specific group insurance plans while excluding those offered by certain employers, labor organizations, and professional associations. The legislation requires insurers to issue policies within one month of application and payment, prohibits discrimination based on health status or medical history, and limits preexisting condition exclusions for applicants with at least six months of prior coverage. These changes aim to standardize how these insurance products are sold and ensure broader access for eligible individuals.

Maddy summaryThis resolution officially designates June 2024 as "Italian-American Heritage Month" within the state of Pennsylvania. The measure highlights the historical and cultural contributions of Italian-Americans to the region, noting that approximately 1.7 million Pennsylvanians have Italian ancestry. It serves as a commemorative recognition rather than a policy change, aiming to celebrate the community's legacy and ongoing impact on the Commonwealth.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Stuffed Toy Manufacturing Act to prohibit the use of child, forced, or slave labor in the production of stuffed toys. It requires manufacturers to register and allows state officials to inspect products, approving them for sale or rejecting them if they violate the new labor standards. Additionally, the law mandates that the state department issue an annual report by March 31 detailing the number of registered manufacturers, their countries of origin, and the results of product inspections. The report must be shared with the chairs of the relevant labor committees in both the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania bill updates the state's laws regarding original birth records for adult adoptees. It clarifies that a noncertified copy of an original birth record will only include basic details like the names and ages of birth parents, the date of birth, and the child's name at birth, while explicitly noting that it is not a certified document. The legislation also establishes a formal process allowing birth parents to request that their names be redacted from these records by submitting a notarized form with identification and medical history updates to the Department of Health. Additionally, the bill outlines how birth parents can later revoke this redaction request to allow their names to appear on future copies of the record.