Rep. Bob Freeman

Maddy summaryThis bill allows accessory dwelling units (ADUs), such as secondary apartments or backyard cottages, to be built on properties with single-family homes across Pennsylvania. It requires every municipality to adopt a simple ordinance permitting at least one ADU per lot and mandates that applications be approved within 30 days (or 60 days with additional review), with automatic approval if deadlines are missed. Municipalities may charge a maximum $250 fee for processing and cannot require permit renewals. The law respects existing deed restrictions and planned community rules while aiming to increase housing options through standardized ADU access.

Maddy summaryHB 306 amends Pennsylvania's Public Utility Confidential Security Information Disclosure Protection Act to require public utilities to share specific emergency response plans and safety records with state or federal agencies (including the National Transportation Safety Board) when a safety risk is suspected, such as potential harm to people or mass destruction. This exception overrides standard confidentiality protections, meaning agencies receiving the information are not bound by usual rules, and disclosures do not make the information public under the Right-to-Know Law. The bill directly affects public utilities and government agencies by streamlining safety-related information sharing during emergencies. It creates a clear process for mandatory disclosure in safety-critical situations while preserving confidentiality safeguards for other uses.

Maddy summaryHB 1106 establishes a certification program for chiropractic assistants in Pennsylvania. To become certified, individuals must be at least 18, have a high school diploma, complete an approved training program, pass an exam, and meet background requirements. Certified assistants can only perform tasks delegated by a licensed chiropractor under direct on-premises supervision and must complete 16 hours of continuing education (including 8 in-person hours) every two years to maintain certification. The bill also makes minor editorial changes to the existing Chiropractic Practice Act.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Public Utility Credit Act, requires public utilities in Pennsylvania to report credit information related to customer accounts. It defines "public utility" broadly to include providers of electricity, gas, water, transportation, and telecommunications, while excluding specific entities like nonprofit cooperatives and private generators. The legislation imposes duties on these utilities to maintain and share credit data, aiming to create a standardized system for tracking customer payment history. By establishing clear reporting requirements, the bill seeks to improve how financial responsibility is managed and shared across the utility sector.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's Landlord and Tenant Act to clarify lease rules and introduce a rent reporting system. It maintains the existing requirement that leases longer than three years must be in writing while confirming that shorter leases can be oral or written. Additionally, the bill establishes a program allowing landlords to report on-time rent payments to consumer reporting agencies, which tenants must opt into. Landlords participating in this program must provide written notice and a signed receipt to tenants at the start of the lease to ensure they are aware of the reporting option.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to recognize March 2, 2026, as "Adwa Victory Day" in Pennsylvania to honor the 1896 Ethiopian victory over Italian colonial forces. The resolution commemorates the historical battle where Ethiopia successfully defended its independence and sovereignty against European colonization. It aims to acknowledge the heritage of the Ethiopian community in Pennsylvania and the broader African diaspora's struggle against colonialism. This is a symbolic measure that does not change laws or allocate funding, but rather establishes an official date of recognition within the state.

Maddy summaryHB 2173 updates Pennsylvania's Medical Practice Act of 1985 by adding new definitions and licensing requirements for medical imaging professionals. It specifically creates licensing categories for roles like medical imaging professionals, radiation therapists, radiologist assistants, and trainees, defining their scope of practice (including modalities such as MRI, CT scans, ultrasound, and nuclear medicine). The bill removes outdated provisions about radiologic procedures and education requirements while establishing certification standards through recognized medical imaging certification organizations. This directly affects healthcare workers performing imaging procedures, requiring them to obtain board licenses based on their certified modalities. The changes clarify professional responsibilities and ensure consistent training standards for these healthcare roles.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates February 28, 2026, as "HIV is Not a Crime Awareness Day" in Pennsylvania. It aims to raise public awareness about HIV criminalization - where individuals with HIV face criminal charges for non-transmission behaviors - and highlights how such laws disproportionately impact marginalized groups like people of color, women, and LGBTQ+ individuals. The resolution emphasizes current public health consensus that people with HIV who have an undetectable viral load cannot transmit the virus through sex, and that HIV treatment is prevention. It is a symbolic statement, not a law, intended to encourage education and dialogue about ending outdated HIV-related criminal penalties.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates a specific bridge in Indiana County, Pennsylvania, as the Private Robert M. Pittman Memorial Bridge in honor of a local World War II veteran. The legislation officially names the structure after Private Pittman, who lost his life aboard the USS Dorchester, and directs the state Department of Transportation to install and maintain signs with this new name for public visibility. By changing the bridge's official title, the act serves as a commemorative measure to recognize Pittman's service and sacrifice rather than altering any traffic laws or infrastructure requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Pennsylvania Department of Health to launch a public education campaign focused on prostate health and cancer screening. The legislation requires the department to provide clear, up-to-date information on risk factors, screening guidelines based on age and risk level, and the benefits and risks of available tests. To support these efforts, the bill establishes a dedicated state fund that can be financed through appropriations, grants, and donations to cover the costs of the campaign. The outreach will utilize various channels, including media, community forums, and partnerships with health providers, while ensuring materials are available in multiple languages.