Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz

Maddy summaryHB 350 updates Pennsylvania's domestic relations laws to modernize how parentage is established and how parental rights are handled in adoption and support cases. The bill enacts the Uniform Parentage Act, which introduces new procedures for voluntary acknowledgment of parentage, genetic testing, and legal processes for assisted reproduction and surrogacy. It also repeals older sections regarding paternity acknowledgment and clarifies the rules for terminating parental rights when a father does not contest an adoption hearing. Additionally, the legislation expands the legal grounds for courts to exercise jurisdiction over nonresident parents and ensures clearer notice requirements for all parties involved in these proceedings.

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 summaryHB 2403 updates the official duties of Pennsylvania's Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs by requiring it to coordinate and promote compliance with the state's drug and alcohol prevention and treatment plan. The bill mandates that the department submit an annual report to state legislative committees within 90 days of the law's effective date and by January 31 each year thereafter. This report must detail actions taken to expand education, prevention, and recovery programs, list funds spent, and include evaluations of grant outcomes and program effectiveness. The changes take effect immediately upon passage, formalizing how the department tracks and reports on its services and spending.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's existing abortion laws to clarify requirements for medical consultations and informed consent. It mandates that, except in medical emergencies, a woman must have a private consultation with a physician to determine if an abortion is necessary based on her physical, emotional, and other relevant circumstances. Additionally, the law requires that at least 24 hours before the procedure, a physician must provide specific information about the procedure, the unborn child, medical risks of carrying the pregnancy to term, and available support services, while also informing the patient of her right to review printed materials. The bill does not create new criminal penalties but rather refines the current legal framework governing how abortions are performed and documented in the state.

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 bill updates the definitions within Pennsylvania's Outpatient Psychiatric Oversight Act to clarify who qualifies as an "advanced practice professional." It specifically allows certified registered nurse practitioners and physician assistants to work in outpatient psychiatric clinics if they obtain a mental health certification within two years of being hired or within two years of the law's effective date. Additionally, the bill permits physician assistants to practice in these settings if they have a written agreement with a psychiatrist, even without a separate mental health certification. These changes directly affect outpatient psychiatric clinics by expanding the pool of eligible staff members and providing a grace period for new hires to secure necessary certifications.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Health Care Facilities Act to require licensed hospitals providing general medical and surgical services to offer emergency care to anyone arriving with an injury or acute medical condition. The law mandates that these services include medical screening, stabilizing treatment, and protections against discrimination or delays, while allowing specific types of hospitals like long-term acute care facilities to opt out. Notably, the bill explicitly defines stabilizing treatment to include abortion when it is necessary to resolve a patient's injury or acute medical condition. These requirements must follow existing federal guidelines and state rules, and the changes will take effect 60 days after the bill is enacted.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's Self-Service Storage Facility Act to allow storage owners to publish redundant advertisements online when they are required to place notices in a newspaper. Under the new rules, owners can post these notices on publicly accessible websites that regularly sell personal property, and this online posting counts as meeting the legal advertising requirement. If a newspaper fails to publish the notice on time, the online advertisement remains valid once posted, provided the owner keeps proof of purchase and the ad copy for one year after the sale. The changes directly affect storage facility owners who must notify the public about auctions or sales of abandoned items, offering them a digital option to fulfill their notification duties.

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 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.