Rep. Mike Schlossberg

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Cosmetology Law to explicitly include natural hair braiders in its licensing requirements. It mandates that individuals performing natural hair braiding must obtain a cosmetology license and work only in licensed salons, while also prohibiting the rental of booths within those establishments. The legislation clarifies that these rules apply solely to those whose business is dedicated to braiding and does not affect emergency services, medical professionals, or licensed barbers. Additionally, the bill establishes specific eligibility criteria for taking the required examination and outlines the fees and renewal processes for these new licenses.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires healthcare providers, including physicians and midwives, to offer pregnant and postpartum patients a standardized screening tool for mood and anxiety disorders in their primary language. It mandates that providers share information about available support resources with patients and, with consent, with their accompanying individuals or designated contacts. The legislation also directs the Department of Health to create a public awareness campaign about perinatal mental health and to maintain an updated list of counseling and assistance services.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance companies and managed care plans in Pennsylvania to cover speech therapy for both childhood and neurological stuttering. It mandates that these plans provide unlimited coverage for both habilitative and rehabilitative treatments without restrictions on the number of visits, prior authorization, or specific disease types. The law also ensures that coverage includes both in-person sessions and telehealth services, while excluding school-based therapy solely based on an individualized education program.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Real Estate Licensing and Registration Act to clarify the rules governing cemeteries owned by municipalities. It requires local governments to maintain cemetery grounds but explicitly prohibits them from operating these cemeteries for the purpose of selling plots or burial spaces to make a profit. The changes directly affect municipal authorities and real estate professionals who manage cemetery properties, ensuring that public land remains non-commercial. By adding a new section to the existing law, the legislation establishes clear boundaries between public maintenance duties and commercial real estate activities.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a two-year pilot program in Pennsylvania to provide remote health monitoring for pregnant individuals with Medicaid who live in areas lacking adequate maternity care. The program would allow eligible participants to use FDA-approved devices at home to track conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes, as well as to monitor fetal heart rates, with data securely sent to their doctors for review. To operate, the state Department of Health would select a managed care organization to administer the initiative and a technology vendor to supply the necessary equipment. The pilot is limited to specific counties identified as having limited access to obstetric services and includes a requirement that the Department submit a report on the program's results before it expires.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Genetic Information Privacy Act, establishes new rules for companies that sell direct-to-consumer genetic testing kits in Pennsylvania. It requires these businesses to obtain specific, separate consent from customers before using their genetic data for purposes like research, marketing, or sharing with third parties, while also mandating strong security measures and giving consumers the right to delete their data and biological samples. The law strictly prohibits companies from sharing a customer's genetic information with health or life insurance providers and employers without written permission, and it allows the state Attorney General to impose civil penalties of up to $2,500 per violation for failing to follow these privacy protections.

Maddy summaryHB 2407 updates Pennsylvania's emergency management laws by adjusting the funding amounts for various grants and programs that support fire and emergency medical services companies. The bill specifically changes the financial allocations for different initiatives, such as reducing certain grant limits while increasing others, and mandates that protective equipment provided through loans must be free of PFAS chemicals. Additionally, it requires the State Fire Commissioner to report on these programs annually instead of every two years. These changes aim to refine how state funds are distributed and managed for emergency responders without altering the core purpose of the existing grant systems.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates September 1, 2024, as "Polish Resistance in World War II Commemoration Day" within the state of Pennsylvania. The legislation honors the bravery of Polish soldiers and civilians who fought against German forces during the war, particularly highlighting the Warsaw Uprising of 1944. It serves as a symbolic gesture to recognize the sacrifices made by Polish Americans and the broader Allied effort, noting that Luzerne County has a significant population with Polish heritage. As a commemorative resolution, the bill does not alter laws or allocate funding but instead establishes an official date for public remembrance.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House resolution that officially designates October 2024 as "Wine, Wineries and Grapes Month" in Pennsylvania. It aims to recognize the state's significant grape industry, which includes over 270 wineries and contributes approximately $1.5 billion to the local economy. The resolution encourages residents to celebrate the harvest season by visiting wineries and enjoying grape products while acknowledging the industry's historical and economic contributions.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates October 9, 2024, as "Ageism Awareness Day" throughout Pennsylvania to highlight the issue of discrimination against older adults. The resolution aims to raise public consciousness about age-based stereotypes and their negative impacts on health, finances, and the economy. By formally recognizing this date, the legislation encourages communities to promote respect and inclusion for the state's growing elderly population. The measure does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic gesture to foster dialogue on preventing ageism in society.