Rep. Mike Schlossberg

Maddy summaryHB 66 creates a Pennsylvania program providing $5,000 semester stipends to residents enrolled in accredited Master of Social Work (MSW) programs with a 3.0+ GPA. It directly affects students pursuing social work careers by funding their education through paid internships. The program requires internships at state-approved facilities to meet clinical training and licensing requirements, with stipends adjusted annually for inflation. Funding is contingent on available state budget resources, administered by the Department of Human Services.

Maddy summaryHB 105 clarifies Pennsylvania's inheritance tax law by explicitly stating that up to $100,000 of a decedent's estate is exempt from tax, with this exemption apportioned among all inheritances based on each inheritance's share of the total estate. The bill does not change the exemption amount but ensures the law clearly specifies it as $100,000. This affects Pennsylvania residents who inherit property, as the exemption reduces the taxable portion of their inheritance. The provision takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 45 requires businesses (vendors) selling services through contracts with automatic renewal clauses to clearly disclose renewal terms to consumers. Specifically, vendors must display renewal details in bold, 10-point font or larger, and provide written/electronic notice 30-60 days before renewal - detailing cancellation deadlines and how to opt out. If a business changes ownership, the new owner must notify consumers within 60 days and offer cancellation options. The law applies to contracts where renewal extends beyond six months, mandating vendors to retain proof of notification for six years. This affects consumers who sign service contracts and vendors operating in Pennsylvania.

Maddy summaryHB 43 amends Pennsylvania's oil and gas law to change how well permit applicants must notify property owners and the public. It requires applicants to submit proof that they notified surface owners (using tax notice mailing lists from county assessment books) and water purveyors (via specific forms explaining their rights under existing law). The bill also mandates public notice through weekly newspaper publications in the local area for four consecutive weeks. These changes directly affect oil and gas companies applying for new well permits and impact surface landowners, water purveyors, and local communities through the new notification process. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 47 amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code to exclude at-home medical tests from sales tax. The bill specifically adds a new tax exclusion (Section 204(77)) covering tests done at home for diagnosing, treating, or monitoring diseases - such as pregnancy tests or test kits. This directly affects consumers purchasing these medical products, making them tax-free. The provision takes effect 60 days after enactment, removing sales tax liability for qualifying at-home medical tests.

Maddy summaryHB 39 amends Pennsylvania law to formally establish county humane officers' powers and duties under Title 16. It allows county commissioners to hire humane officers who enforce existing dog control laws (from the 1982 Dog Law) and animal cruelty laws (18 Pa.C.S. Ch. 55 Subch. B). To qualify, officers must complete specific training programs (22 Pa.C.S. §§ 3712-3713) covering animal welfare enforcement. The bill directly affects county commissioners (who may hire officers) and the officers themselves, clarifying their legal authority without creating new animal welfare standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Pennsylvania's Department of Education to create and distribute a "student bill of rights" to all off-campus students at accredited colleges and universities in the state. The bill outlines specific tenant protections, including the right to habitable housing, privacy, a hearing before eviction, and reasonable accommodations for disabilities. Institutions must also provide students with an online course about housing rights, which students must complete within their first semester (or pay a $50 fee for non-completion). The law applies to all public and private higher education institutions in Pennsylvania and takes effect January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 25 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to extend deadlines for school districts to adopt budgets and levy property taxes. It changes the budget adoption deadline from 15 to 30 days after the state enacts basic education funding legislation (for reimbursement of the prior year), and the tax levy deadline from 20 to 35 days for most districts. This affects all public school districts in Pennsylvania, providing more time to finalize financial plans without altering the existing 25-mill property tax rate cap. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 26 removes Pennsylvania’s existing abortion statutes (including the "Abortion Control Act" and its restrictions like parental consent, spousal notice, and gestational limits) and replaces them with a new framework focused on "reproductive rights." It repeals specific provisions related to medical consultation, informed consent, facility requirements, and reporting, while adding language affirming reproductive rights for patients and providers. The bill also eliminates references to federal healthcare compliance for insurers and updates terminology, changing the chapter heading from "Abortion" to "Reproductive Offenses." This bill directly affects all abortion providers, patients, and public health systems in Pennsylvania by fundamentally restructuring the legal landscape governing abortion access.

Maddy summaryThis bill strengthens Pennsylvania's protection from abuse laws by expanding the types of relief courts can grant and clarifying procedures for emergency situations. It allows final protection orders to explicitly include provisions protecting companion animals from abuse, harassment, or relocation, and grants courts the authority to order temporary ownership of these animals during disputes. The legislation also enables hearing officers in certain counties to issue immediate emergency relief when regular courts are unavailable, ensuring faster protection for victims in urgent circumstances. Additionally, the bill clarifies that police officers can make warrantless arrests for violating protection orders based on probable cause, even if the violation is not witnessed directly by the officer. These changes aim to provide more comprehensive and timely safety measures for individuals and their pets facing domestic abuse.