Rep. Bob Freeman

Maddy summaryHB 64 prohibits Pennsylvania employers from punishing employees (including firing, discipline, or threatening adverse actions) for refusing to attend or participate in employer-sponsored meetings about political matters (like elections or party support) or religious matters (like religious affiliation). Employers must post a notice of these rights within 30 days of the law taking effect, and employees can sue for violations like lost wages or retaliation within one year. The bill does not apply to required legal communications, job-related meetings, or voluntary participation in such matters. It allows employees to report violations without fear of retaliation and provides remedies like reinstatement, back pay, or attorney fees.

Maddy summaryHB 678 requires labor brokers who supply construction workers to employers in Pennsylvania to register with the Department of Labor and Industry. It mandates brokers to pay fees, maintain registration validity, verify worker placements, and report changes, with the Department establishing a dedicated registration account for these fees. The bill imposes penalties for operating without registration or violating its requirements, directly affecting labor brokers in the construction industry. Key provisions include a verification system for worker placements, annual renewal of registration, and specific definitions clarifying which entities qualify as labor brokers versus subcontractors. This legislation aims to increase oversight of labor brokers handling construction workers, with penalties for noncompliance.

Maddy summaryHR 352 is a resolution directing the Joint State Government Commission to study how Pennsylvania's litter laws are enforced and to provide recommendations for improvement. It does not create new laws or change existing penalties; instead, it mandates a formal review of current enforcement practices. The study would focus on identifying challenges and effective strategies for litter prevention and cleanup. The resolution was referred to the Environmental & Natural Resource Protection committee for consideration.

Maddy summaryHB 501 amends Pennsylvania's Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act to update definitions and clarify requirements for renewable energy compliance. It specifically adds "advanced reactor" (including small modular reactors) to eligible energy sources, refines criteria for low-impact hydropower, and updates definitions for biomass, biogas, and alternative energy credits. The bill affects electric utilities required to meet portfolio standards by specifying which energy sources count toward compliance and how credits are calculated. These changes aim to modernize the framework for renewable energy reporting and incentives without altering current percentage targets. The bill is currently in committee review (Environmental & Natural Resource Protection).

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's vehicle laws to exempt individuals aged 65 or older from identification card renewal fees if they have surrendered their driver's license due to a diagnosed physical or mental condition. The exemption applies specifically to those who surrender their licenses based on a health care provider's diagnosis, and the department may request proof of this medical documentation. The change aims to reduce financial burdens on seniors who can no longer drive for health reasons. The legislation would become effective 60 days after passage.

Maddy summaryHB 2175 requires businesses using AI chatbots to clearly disclose when consumers are interacting with artificial intelligence, especially for mental health support (e.g., chatbots claiming to treat anxiety or depression). It prohibits deceptive advertising, mandates protection of personal data shared with these tools, and gives Pennsylvania’s Attorney General’s Bureau of Consumer Protection authority to enforce these rules and impose penalties. The law directly affects companies offering AI chatbots that provide health-related advice to Pennsylvania residents. It does not cover scripted tools (like guided meditation) or AI that simply connects users with human professionals.

Maddy summaryHR 329 is a non-binding resolution designating October 2025 as "Arts and Culture Month" in Pennsylvania. It does not create new laws, allocate funding, or directly affect any individuals or organizations. The resolution serves solely to recognize and promote arts and cultural activities during that month through official state acknowledgment. As a procedural resolution, it has no legal effect beyond the symbolic gesture of recognition.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's Dam Safety and Encroachments Act by adding a formal definition for "wetland" and establishing specific rules for where wetland replacement projects must be located. The legislation directly affects developers, environmental regulators, and landowners involved in projects that impact wetlands, requiring them to follow a prioritized siting hierarchy. Under the new provisions, replacement wetlands must be placed immediately adjacent to the affected area whenever possible, with subsequent options including locations along the same watercourse, within the same watershed, or near higher-order streams if closer sites are unavailable. The bill also mandates that regulatory agencies reject replacement proposals in different watersheds unless all suitable local options have been exhausted, and requires documentation explaining why alternative sites were not feasible.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania bill updates state regulations on cigarette sales and retailer licensing by adding new definitions for youth centers and recreational places. It establishes stricter requirements for new cigarette retailers starting January 1, 2027, prohibiting stores from opening within 500 feet of schools, day-care centers, youth centers, recreational facilities, or other licensed cigarette retailers. The law also clarifies rules for transferring cigarette vending machine licenses and maintains existing requirements for accurate tax reporting and compliance with state pricing rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's tax code to establish a new licensing requirement for tobacco retailers, mandating that applicants meet specific criteria to obtain or renew their retail licenses. The law introduces a distance restriction effective January 1, 2027, prohibiting tobacco retailers from operating within 1,000 feet of any school property line, while also requiring applicants to demonstrate adequate premises for revenue protection, maintain accurate tax reporting, and have no history of tax violations. The measure directly affects tobacco retailers and applicants seeking to sell tobacco products in Pennsylvania, adding compliance steps to the existing licensing process.