Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz

Maddy summaryHB 193 requires Pennsylvania state buildings to install automated external defibrillators (AEDs) - devices that can restart heartbeats during cardiac arrest - in all regularly occupied facilities. It mandates at least one AED per building, plus one additional AED for every 70,000 square feet, with all devices clearly visible and accessible. The law applies to buildings owned by the Commonwealth and maintained by the Department of General Services, excluding unoccupied storage facilities, maintenance sheds, and temporary structures. The Department of General Services must implement and maintain these devices, with the law taking effect in 60 days.

Maddy summaryHB 630 amends Pennsylvania's Equal Pay Law to strengthen protections against wage discrimination based on sex, race, or ethnicity. It adds definitions for "comparable work" (requiring similar skill, effort, responsibility, and working conditions) and clarifies that "wages" include all compensation like fringe benefits. The bill explicitly bans employers from requiring employees to refrain from discussing wages, using salary history to set pay, or asking about prior wages during hiring. It also establishes an Equal Pay Enforcement Fund to support enforcement efforts and clarifies that job titles alone cannot determine if jobs are comparable.

Maddy summaryHB 1470 proposes to amend the Human Services Code to establish a subscription-like model for GLP-1 agonists used to treat obesity within public assistance programs. The bill directs the state department to seek a waiver from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to allow the Commonwealth to enter into value-based arrangements with drug manufacturers. These arrangements are defined as "supplemental rebate agreements," where the Commonwealth pays an agreed amount per treatment up to a cap, after which additional treatments are provided at no cost. If federal approval is granted, the department would then develop regulations to implement this new payment system.

Maddy summaryHB 1468 amends Pennsylvania's Liquor Code to adjust sales practices for Pennsylvania Liquor Stores, primarily affecting businesses and entities that purchase alcoholic beverages at wholesale prices. The bill increases the wholesale discount for licensees, such as hotels, restaurants, and clubs, from 10% to 15% off the retail price. It also expands wholesale offerings to include ready-to-drink cocktails for distributors and importing distributors holding the necessary permits. Additionally, the bill mandates the establishment of a program to provide further discounts to wholesale licensees who pick up their purchases at designated locations.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1469 amends the Health Care Facilities Act to establish requirements for hospital price transparency. It mandates that hospitals publish a comprehensive list of their standard charges for all items and services on their public websites in a readable digital format. This list must include gross charges, discounted cash prices, and various negotiated rates with third-party payors. The bill also provides for a prohibition on debt collection action against patients by hospitals that do not comply with these requirements, aiming to give patients clearer access to pricing information.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 161) designates May 2025 as "Haitian Heritage Month" in Pennsylvania. It is a symbolic recognition by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, not a policy-changing bill. The resolution highlights Haiti's historical significance - including its 1804 independence, role in ending slavery, cultural influence, and the Haitian diaspora in the U.S. - to celebrate Haitian heritage and contributions. It does not create new laws or affect specific groups, as it is a commemorative resolution.

Maddy summaryHB 1467 amends the Tax Reform Code of 1971, specifically redefining what constitutes "compensation" for personal income tax purposes. The bill explicitly removes "tips" and "gratuities" from the definition of compensation. This means that income earned through tips would no longer be considered taxable compensation under the state's personal income tax, directly affecting individuals who receive such income.

Maddy summaryHB 1464 amends Pennsylvania's Eminent Domain law, affecting property owners whose land may be acquired by an acquiring agency. The bill requires agencies to provide advanced written notice to property owners 30 days before filing a condemnation, detailing their rights and stating that eminent domain is a measure of "last resort." Property owners can challenge whether eminent domain is truly a "last resort," requiring agencies to present alternative options considered. The bill also expands compensation to include the loss of goodwill for businesses or farm operations and updates definitions related to replacement dwellings and marginalized communities.

Maddy summaryThis resolution formally recognizes May 2025 as "Older Americans Month" in Pennsylvania. It does not create new programs, allocate funds, or change existing laws; it is a symbolic gesture honoring older Pennsylvanians. The resolution references the 60th anniversary of the Older Americans Act and the 2025 observance theme, "Flip the Script on Aging," but contains no binding policy requirements. It is a non-binding declaration by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

Maddy summaryHB 526 protects mothers' right to breastfeed their children in any public or private location where they are otherwise permitted to be, without being considered indecent exposure, a nuisance, or obscenity. It defines "breastfeeding" to include both direct feeding and expressing milk for bottle-feeding, and creates a private right to sue for violations, allowing recovery of $1,000 per incident plus attorney fees. The law applies broadly across Pennsylvania, ensuring mothers can feed their children without legal interference while maintaining existing protections from the repealed 2007 Freedom to Breastfeed Act.