Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits employers in Pennsylvania from punishing, disciplining, or retaliating against employees for refusing to attend meetings or listen to communications about religious or political topics. It defines "voluntary" participation as attendance that is not incentivized by benefits or threatened with negative employment consequences, ensuring employees can opt out without fear of reprisal. To enforce these protections, the law allows aggrieved workers to sue for remedies like reinstatement and back pay, while also requiring employers to post a notice explaining these rights. Additionally, the bill mandates that the Department of Labor and Industry investigate complaints and provides a framework for interested parties to report violations.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a minimum hourly wage of $20 or a living wage for education support professionals in Pennsylvania public schools, effective for the 2024-2025 school year. It requires schools to pay overtime at 1.5 times the standard rate and mandates that salaried workers be paid based on their actual hours worked to meet this threshold. For employees currently covered by existing contracts with lower wages, the law requires schools to make supplemental payments to bridge the gap until the contract expires or is renewed. The Department of Labor and Industry is tasked with calculating and annually adjusting the living wage based on inflation data, while the state provides funding to school districts to cover the cost of these wage increases. Additionally, the legislation updates procedures for school boards, requiring a majority vote and proper recording for certain decisions.
Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania bill establishes the Clean Hydrogen Production Act to regulate the development of clean hydrogen projects and create a state tax credit program to support them. It directs the Environmental Quality Board to oversee applications, conduct investigations, and set specific rules for these projects while requiring investor-owned utilities to report on their activities and federal funding. The legislation defines clean hydrogen based on low emissions standards and includes provisions to consider the impact on disproportionately impacted communities during the review process. Additionally, the bill creates a tax credit system that allows businesses to claim credits for qualifying clean hydrogen production, with options to carry forward, carry back, or sell these credits.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Health Care Facilities Act to change licensing requirements specifically for abortion facilities. It removes the mandate that these facilities must have transfer agreements with nearby hospitals and eliminates the requirement for physicians and medical staff working there to hold admitting privileges at a hospital. Additionally, the legislation repeals an existing state regulation related to these licensing standards. These changes directly impact how abortion clinics are regulated and the operational requirements for their medical staff.
Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania bill updates the state's tax code to provide tax relief for victims of Nazi persecution. It specifically exempts from state personal income tax any money received as compensation for the seizure, theft, or forced conversion of income or property that occurred after May 30, 1971. The legislation also clarifies that such compensation is not considered a taxable gain from selling property. These changes apply to tax years starting on or after December 31, 2024, and take effect immediately.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Human Services Code to update definitions related to child care and establish a new copayment system for families receiving subsidized child care. It clarifies terms such as "child care," "child-care center," and "family child-care home" to specify who is covered and under what conditions. Under the new rules, parents or caretakers must pay a portion of the child care cost based on their family's annual income, with a cap of fifteen percent. The legislation also provides special provisions for families where the parent or caretaker works as a child-care employee or a direct support professional, ensuring they remain eligible for subsidies regardless of income level while still requiring a capped copayment.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new state program that allows Pennsylvania municipalities to establish special zoning districts designed to encourage higher-density housing near transit hubs and existing commercial areas. To qualify for financial incentives, towns must adopt specific zoning rules that permit mixed-use developments and affordable housing while meeting minimum requirements for open space and infrastructure. The legislation establishes a dedicated fund to provide one-time payments to municipalities for each new housing unit built within these approved districts, aiming to increase attainable housing stock. Local governments directly affected by this law would need to submit detailed plans outlining their housing goals and development strategies to the Department of Community and Economic Development for approval.
Maddy summaryThis resolution directs the Joint State Government Commission to study how Pennsylvania can increase the use of sustainable building materials in both state-funded and private construction projects. The commission will investigate the feasibility of updating construction requirements to include eco-friendly options like recycled steel and low-carbon concrete, while also analyzing the potential cost impacts of such changes. The study aims to identify suitable materials for the state's infrastructure and project direct and indirect financial savings or increases if these requirements are adopted. The commission is required to submit its findings to several House committees within 180 days of the resolution's passage.
Maddy summaryThis resolution directs the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a study estimating the projected costs of climate change adaptation and resilience measures for Pennsylvania. The study will analyze potential financial impacts on public health, natural resources, built infrastructure, and social environments under different future climate scenarios. It specifically requires examining how these costs vary across different demographics and geographic areas while considering hazards like flooding, heat, and wildfires. The findings aim to help state officials better prepare for and mitigate the effects of climate-related events on the Commonwealth.
Maddy summaryThis bill designates September of each year as "International Underground Railroad Month" throughout Pennsylvania. It aims to honor the courage of freedom seekers and the individuals who assisted them in escaping slavery through a clandestine network. The legislation includes a list of historical findings that highlight the significance of the Underground Railroad and its role in the state's history. Importantly, the bill clarifies that this designation does not require employers to treat September as a paid holiday or provide special leave for employees.