Rep. Mike Schlossberg

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House Resolution designates the week of May 5 through 11, 2024, as "Correctional Officers Week" to honor the state's correctional officers. The measure highlights the essential roles these workers play in maintaining facility security, ensuring safety, and supporting rehabilitation efforts within the criminal justice system. By officially recognizing this specific time period, the resolution aims to acknowledge the challenges and contributions of correctional officers without altering any laws or policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Pennsylvania's Public School Code to require schools to maintain a supply of bronchodilators for students with asthma. It changes the rules so that these medications can be administered by designated individuals rather than just school nurses or trained staff. The legislation also mandates that if a school uses a reporting system, it must record who gave the medication to the student. These changes aim to improve access to emergency asthma treatment within school settings.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Office of New Pennsylvanians within the Department of Community and Economic Development to support immigrants and refugees in the state. The office will serve as a central hub for information, coordinate efforts among various agencies, and develop strategies to attract, retain, and integrate newcomers into the local economy. It also establishes a restricted funding account for the office and an advisory committee to guide its work, while providing resources for English language instruction, legal services, and business development.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania resolution designates May 2024 as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Awareness Month to highlight the condition known as Lou Gehrig's disease. The bill directly affects the state's House of Representatives and aims to increase public understanding of ALS, a fatal neurodegenerative disease that causes muscle weakness and affects thousands of adults annually. By officially recognizing this month, the legislation seeks to acknowledge the challenges faced by patients and their families while promoting awareness of ongoing research efforts. The measure does not alter laws or allocate funding, serving instead as a symbolic gesture to foster community recognition of the disease.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new eligibility rules for Pennsylvania business corporations seeking state contracts, funding, or grants. It directly affects domestic and foreign corporations with 200 or more employees in the Commonwealth by disqualifying them if they have violated federal fair labor standards, committed unfair labor practices, or broken the state's prevailing wage law within the last five years. Additionally, the bill requires these large corporations to submit bylaws ensuring that at least 20% of their governing board consists of current employees elected by the workforce. The restrictions only apply to agreements approved on or after the law's effective date, which is set to occur 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new crime called intimidation of health care workers in Pennsylvania to protect doctors, nurses, technicians, and hospital security officers from threats. It makes it illegal to knowingly make or send a threat intended to stop these workers from doing their jobs, with penalties starting as a fine and community service for first-time offenders and escalating to jail time for repeat violations. The law also requires hospitals to post notices about this offense at all public entrances, which must be done before anyone can be convicted unless they already knew about the law.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania resolution designates the week of November 3 through 9, 2024, as "Election Official and Election Worker Appreciation Week." The measure aims to formally recognize and honor the service of election officials and workers across the state who manage voting processes and maintain election integrity. It does not create new laws or change existing policies but serves as a symbolic gesture to acknowledge the efforts of these public servants.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs Pennsylvania's Department of Health to conduct a study on how smartphone use affects children's health and development. The legislation is based on concerns that early phone ownership and increased social media access may contribute to mental health issues and disrupted sleep patterns in young people. If completed, the study must result in a public report, recommendations for parents, and guidelines for pediatricians to share with families within one year.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania vehicle laws to clarify requirements for child safety restraint systems in vehicles. It specifies that seats equipped by the manufacturer to install child passenger or rear-facing restraint systems, as well as those for child booster seats, must comply with specific regulations. The changes update the text to ensure these seating positions are properly included in the legal definitions for required safety equipment.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code to allow businesses to claim a tax deduction for money they contribute toward their employees' child care costs. To qualify, employers must make payments to licensed child care centers, group homes, or family homes to help workers cover eligible care expenses while they work. The law permits a deduction equal to 110% of the total contributions made, with a separate provision that allows up to $5,000 of these costs to be excluded from the employer's taxable income. Employers claiming this benefit must file a specific form that details the names and contact information of participating employees and the child care providers they used. The changes apply to tax years starting after December 31, 2023, and will take effect 60 days after the bill is enacted.