Rep. Jeanne McNeill

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania laws to clarify how state grants are distributed to veterans' service officer programs. It requires designated organizations to submit detailed annual reports on their activities, budgets, and financial audits to state officials and legislative committees. The legislation also establishes rules for calculating grant amounts based on submitted spending plans and past performance, ensuring funds are prorated if the total budget is insufficient. These changes are designed to improve transparency and accountability for how veterans' service groups use public funding.

Maddy summaryHB 237 expands Pennsylvania's death benefits for first responders' families to include cases where a firefighter, officer, or emergency worker dies from mental health conditions linked to on-duty trauma. It creates a legal presumption of line-of-duty death if the person died while influenced by a diagnosed psychiatric disorder from traumatic events (like crime scenes or mass casualties) or within 45 days of such exposure with an undiagnosed condition. The bill adds specific definitions for "personal injury sustained in the line of duty" to include PTSD and related disorders, and clarifies that traumatic events cover incidents involving serious injury, minors, or life threats. Benefits apply retroactively to deaths occurring on or after January 1, 2019, regardless of when the trauma happened.

Maddy summaryHB 2151 requires Pennsylvania's Center for Local Government Services to create a model zoning ordinance for data centers within six months. The model must include specific rules like building size limits, minimum distances from residential areas, landscape buffers, noise restrictions, and requirements for water/energy use. This helps local governments (townships, boroughs, cities) regulate data center development to address community concerns. Municipalities can request the Center's assistance when updating zoning rules for data centers, and the model must be updated annually.

Maddy summaryHB 2087 amends Pennsylvania's Workers' Compensation Act to extend coverage to volunteer firefighters, ambulance corps members, and rescue squad volunteers who provide regular operational support (such as fundraising, equipment maintenance, or administrative tasks) but do not respond to emergency calls. The bill adds these volunteers to the definition of "employe" under the act, requiring such support to be conducted regularly and approved by the municipality. It explicitly excludes social members who are not involved in operational duties. This change ensures these volunteers can receive workers' compensation for work-related injuries sustained while performing their support roles. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 1278 amends Pennsylvania's Election Code to require candidates for state, local, and federal offices (including U.S. Congress) to submit a written statement (replacing the prior "affidavit" requirement) instead of an affidavit. This statement must include specific details like the candidate's residence, election district, office sought, eligibility confirmation, commitment to election laws, and awareness of campaign finance reporting rules. The bill updates penalties for false statements to reference Pennsylvania's unsworn falsification statute (18 Pa.C.S. § 4904), applying to all candidates filing nomination documents. It directly affects every candidate submitting paperwork for election in Pennsylvania, including those running for county, city, school board, or federal positions.

Maddy summaryHB 980 changes the composition of Pennsylvania's State Board of Pharmacy by increasing the number of licensed pharmacists on the board from five to six and adding specific appointment requirements. It requires two pharmacist members from independent retail pharmacies, two from large retail pharmacy chains (with five or more locations), and two from hospital/acute care settings, plus one pharmacy technician position that rotates between settings. The bill also establishes term limits: pharmacy technicians serve one six-year term, while other members may serve up to two consecutive terms. This directly affects the board's membership structure and the appointment process for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in Pennsylvania.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands death benefit eligibility in Pennsylvania for firefighters who die from cancer linked to their work. To qualify, a firefighter must have served at least four years, had direct exposure to a carcinogen, and passed a pre-service physical exam showing no signs of cancer. The law presumes these deaths occurred while performing official duties, allowing their families to receive financial support under the existing Emergency and Law Enforcement Personnel Death Benefits Act. The changes will take effect 60 days after the bill is signed into law.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires emergency medical services providers in Pennsylvania, including paramedics and nurses, to complete specific training on caring for individuals with dementia. The Department of Health must create a program covering how to communicate effectively with these patients, manage behavioral symptoms, and identify signs of abuse. New providers will need three hours of initial training, while all providers must complete one hour of continuing education annually. Those who already finished similar training within the last 18 months will be exempt from the initial requirement but must still take the annual course.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows pet owners in Pennsylvania to sue for wrongful death or injury to their companion animals, which includes dogs, cats, rabbits, and other non-agricultural pets. It establishes a legal claim for the animal's market value plus up to $15,000 in additional compensation for the loss of companionship and affection if the death was caused intentionally, recklessly, or negligently. The law also permits up to $5,000 in extra damages for serious injuries that do not result in death, while excluding government agencies and animals killed while hunting livestock from these protections.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates April 2026 as "Donate Life Month" and April 10, 2026, as "Blue and Green Day" in Pennsylvania to raise awareness about organ and tissue donation. The resolution does not change laws or create new programs but serves as a symbolic gesture to encourage public support for donation efforts. It highlights Pennsylvania's existing donation statistics and the work of state health agencies and organ procurement organizations in promoting donor registration. The measure is intended to increase visibility for organ donation awareness campaigns during the designated month and day.