Rep. Craig Staats

Maddy summaryHB 1152 requires insurance companies to directly reimburse non-network emergency medical services (EMS) agencies for 911 emergency calls within 45 days at 350% of the Medicare ambulance rate for the same service in the same area. EMS agencies must register with the state annually to qualify for direct payments, and insurers cannot demand contracts to facilitate this reimbursement. The insurer's payment covers the full service cost (excluding the patient's copay, coinsurance, or deductible), so EMS agencies cannot bill patients for the remaining amount. This law applies only to non-network EMS providers offering 911 emergency medical services, unless preempted by federal law.

Maddy summaryHB 1124 amends Pennsylvania's Taxpayer Relief Act to protect eligible seniors from losing property tax or rent rebates due to automatic Social Security cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs). It directly affects seniors currently receiving these rebates who exceed income limits solely because of COLAs. The bill modifies the definition of "income" to specifically state that seniors eligible as of December 31, 2024, remain eligible if their income limit is exceeded only due to Social Security COLAs. This exception applies until December 31, 2028. The change ensures these seniors maintain their rebate eligibility during temporary income spikes caused by federal COLAs.

Maddy summaryHB 1086 prohibits the government from taking land or property used for cemeteries, burying grounds, or places of public worship - including land owned by religious or cemetery institutions but not currently used for those purposes - through eminent domain under Pennsylvania's current laws. The bill directly affects property owners and institutions operating cemeteries or places of worship by adding a legal barrier to government acquisition. It amends Title 16 of Pennsylvania law to explicitly restrict eminent domain actions targeting these specific properties, with no exception provided in the cited text. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 1078 updates Pennsylvania's school health requirements to strengthen vision screening and eye health examinations for students. It mandates annual vision screenings by trained school personnel for all school-aged children, with comprehensive eye exams by licensed professionals required if screenings fail. The bill specifies that students must receive eye health exams upon school admission, in fourth grade, and eighth grade, and adds requirements for exams related to special education evaluations. Schools must notify parents of failed screenings and provide resources, but are not responsible for covering exam costs or treatment. This directly affects all public and nonpublic school students in Pennsylvania.

Maddy summaryHB 1061 requires Pennsylvania voter registration applicants to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship when applying to register. This applies to all registration methods - online, in-person, by mail, or with a driver's license application. Acceptable proof includes passports, birth certificates, military IDs, naturalization documents, or other government-issued IDs showing U.S. birthplace. The bill mandates that election officials verify citizenship during registration and adds penalties for officials who fail to comply. It directly affects anyone seeking to register to vote in Pennsylvania.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to Pennsylvania that would ban all taxes on real property, including land and buildings owned by individuals or businesses. The change would take effect on July 1, 2030, and would apply to taxes imposed by the state government, local municipalities, school districts, or any other political subdivision within the Commonwealth. To become law, the amendment must pass both houses of the General Assembly and then be approved by voters in a statewide election. The bill argues that taxing property violates the inherent right to own and protect property, a principle recognized since Pennsylvania's founding in 1776.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates April 13-19, 2025, as "National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week" in Pennsylvania. It honors 911 dispatchers (also called public safety telecommunicators) who serve as the first point of contact during emergencies and support emergency responders. The resolution recognizes their critical role in ensuring community safety through their professionalism and dedication during high-pressure situations. As a ceremonial resolution, it does not create new laws or policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates Bridge Key 25406 on Pennsylvania Route 346 over Willow Creek in Corydon Township, McKean County, as the "Private First Class Bruce A. Cobb Memorial Bridge." It requires the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to install and maintain signs naming the bridge, honoring Cobb's military service and burial location in the area. The bill directly affects the bridge's official identification and signage for public traffic. (Procedural bill; summary focuses on the concrete naming action and sign requirement.)

Maddy summaryThis bill designates Bridge Key 22726 on Pennsylvania Route 934 over Swatara Creek in East Hanover Township, Lebanon County, as the WO1 John Stephen Chrin Memorial Bridge. It honors Warrant Officer 1 John Stephen Chrin, a Vietnam War DUSTOFF helicopter pilot killed in action on October 13, 1971, after completing over 125 combat medical evacuation missions. The bill requires the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to install and maintain signage identifying the bridge with this memorial name. The designation applies solely to this specific bridge structure and has no policy or funding implications.

Maddy summaryHB 957 amends Pennsylvania's invasion of privacy law to increase penalties for repeated violations and require convicted individuals to destroy related recordings. It upgrades the offense to a third-degree felony if there are multiple violations (previously a second-degree felony), while single violations remain a first-degree misdemeanor. The bill also adds a new requirement that anyone convicted under this law must delete or destroy all associated recordings (photos, videos, etc.) they possess; failing to do so becomes a separate third-degree felony. This directly affects individuals convicted of privacy violations involving recorded media, such as secretly filming or sharing intimate images without consent. The changes take effect 60 days after enactment.