Rep. Shelby Labs

Maddy summaryHB 1479 amends Pennsylvania laws related to protection from abuse and victim support for sexual violence or intimidation. It updates definitions and expands available legal relief options for two specific groups: individuals seeking protection from domestic abuse and victims of sexual violence or intimidation. The bill focuses on clarifying statutory language and strengthening procedural pathways for obtaining court-ordered protections. These changes directly affect Pennsylvania residents who are victims of these specific harms and seek legal remedies through the state's judicial system. The bill is currently pending in committee after being referred to the Judiciary Committee.

Maddy summaryHB 1476 amends Pennsylvania's judicial statutes to clarify and strengthen definitions related to victims of sexual violence or intimidation. The bill specifically updates legal terminology within Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) to better protect these individuals during court proceedings. This change directly affects victims seeking legal recourse and the judicial system handling such cases by ensuring consistent application of protections. The bill focuses on defining key terms to improve how courts address these sensitive matters, without creating new penalties or programs.

Maddy summaryHB 2041 amends Pennsylvania's Childhood Blood Lead Test Act to require health care practitioners to ensure children receive at least one blood lead test by 12 months of age and a second test by 24 months of age, with additional testing mandated between 24 and 72 months if not tested by age 2. The bill also requires blood lead testing for pregnant women who have at least one identified lead exposure risk factor. It clarifies that health insurance must cover these tests without cost-sharing, as defined in the bill. This law directly affects children under 72 months, pregnant women, and health care providers in Pennsylvania.

Maddy summaryHB 1057 updates fee schedules for pilots guiding vessels on the Delaware River, directly affecting shipping companies and vessels using ports from Philadelphia to the Delair Railroad Bridge. It establishes annual rate increases for pilotage services (e.g., $18.86 per unit effective January 2028), sets minimum/maximum unit charges, and specifies fees for services like river transit ($275-$300) and canal crossings ($1,000-$1,750). The bill modifies existing fee structures without changing pilot regulations or requirements. It applies to all vessels navigating the Delaware River and Chesapeake & Delaware Canal, with fees effective from 2022 through 2028.

Maddy summaryHB 1406 would amend Pennsylvania's theft laws by changing how theft offenses are classified by severity (grading). It directly affects individuals convicted of theft crimes, as it would alter the legal categories used to determine penalties. The bill's key mechanism involves revising specific sections of the state's criminal code to adjust the grading system for theft offenses. This change would impact sentencing outcomes for theft cases but does not introduce new penalties or expand the scope of theft crimes.

Maddy summaryHB 587 amends Pennsylvania's agriculture laws to establish regulations for businesses that transport waste from animal and food processing (referred to as "residuals" in the bill). The bill requires commercial haulers and brokers to follow specific handling and transportation standards for these materials and imposes fines for non-compliance. This directly affects companies that move agricultural waste, aiming to improve safety and environmental management through clear, enforceable rules.

Maddy summaryHB 1918 prohibits individuals or entities from charging fees for assisting veterans with benefits claims in Pennsylvania, directly affecting veterans' advocates, lawyers, and representatives who prepare or submit claims. It bans charging for services before a claim is formally filed, guarantees of specific benefits, excessive fees (citing federal fee guidelines), and referral payments. The bill requires written agreements outlining all fees before services begin and defines "compensation" broadly to include any financial benefit. Violations are classified as a third-degree misdemeanor.

Maddy summaryHR 281 is a procedural resolution that forces the House Committee on Education to stop considering Senate Bill 9. It discharges the committee after 15 legislative days (since May 7, 2025) passed without the committee reporting the bill to the full House. This resolution does not change the content of Senate Bill 9; it only allows the full House to vote on the bill directly. The resolution itself is purely procedural and does not affect any policy or specific group of people.

Maddy summaryHB 1475 amends Pennsylvania's criminal code (Title 18) to modify the legal definitions and prosecution standards for stalking offenses. It directly affects individuals accused of stalking, law enforcement agencies handling such cases, and victims seeking protection under the law. The bill changes how stalking is defined and prosecuted within the state's legal framework, though specific details of the amendments are not provided in the current context. The bill was referred to the Judiciary Committee on September 9, 2025, and remains in early legislative review.

Maddy summaryHB 1480 would create a nonpublic database registry for domestic violence offenders within the Pennsylvania State Police system. This registry would specifically track individuals convicted of domestic violence offenses, making their records accessible only to law enforcement and certain authorized personnel. The bill also establishes penalties for violations of the registry requirements, such as improper access or disclosure of the information. The primary effect is on domestic violence offenders whose records would be entered into this restricted system.