Rep. Tim Briggs

Maddy summaryHB 66 creates a Pennsylvania program providing $5,000 semester stipends to residents enrolled in accredited Master of Social Work (MSW) programs with a 3.0+ GPA. It directly affects students pursuing social work careers by funding their education through paid internships. The program requires internships at state-approved facilities to meet clinical training and licensing requirements, with stipends adjusted annually for inflation. Funding is contingent on available state budget resources, administered by the Department of Human Services.

Maddy summaryHB 26 removes Pennsylvania’s existing abortion statutes (including the "Abortion Control Act" and its restrictions like parental consent, spousal notice, and gestational limits) and replaces them with a new framework focused on "reproductive rights." It repeals specific provisions related to medical consultation, informed consent, facility requirements, and reporting, while adding language affirming reproductive rights for patients and providers. The bill also eliminates references to federal healthcare compliance for insurers and updates terminology, changing the chapter heading from "Abortion" to "Reproductive Offenses." This bill directly affects all abortion providers, patients, and public health systems in Pennsylvania by fundamentally restructuring the legal landscape governing abortion access.

Maddy summaryThis bill strengthens Pennsylvania's protection from abuse laws by expanding the types of relief courts can grant and clarifying procedures for emergency situations. It allows final protection orders to explicitly include provisions protecting companion animals from abuse, harassment, or relocation, and grants courts the authority to order temporary ownership of these animals during disputes. The legislation also enables hearing officers in certain counties to issue immediate emergency relief when regular courts are unavailable, ensuring faster protection for victims in urgent circumstances. Additionally, the bill clarifies that police officers can make warrantless arrests for violating protection orders based on probable cause, even if the violation is not witnessed directly by the officer. These changes aim to provide more comprehensive and timely safety measures for individuals and their pets facing domestic abuse.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania laws to protect the rights and health of pregnant and postpartum individuals in juvenile facilities and correctional institutions. It establishes new rules that limit the use of isolation, restrict invasive body cavity searches, and mandate specific training for staff working with these populations. The legislation also requires facilities to create reporting systems to track the status of pregnant detainees and includes provisions for menstrual hygiene products and postpartum recovery care. Additionally, the bill repeals older rules regarding Department of Human Services facilities to align with these updated standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Pennsylvania schools to offer a voluntary, free online training course for teachers and staff focused on student identity and cultural awareness. The program aims to help educators teach students about their unique backgrounds, religious freedom, and how to navigate cultural differences while rejecting biases. Additionally, the legislation mandates that school curricula include instruction on the Holocaust, genocide, and human rights violations. The Department of Education must develop these materials, submit annual progress reports to state lawmakers, and review the content every two years to ensure best practices.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the legal definition of "public safety official" in Pennsylvania to include specific federal judges and magistrates operating within the state's three judicial districts. By adding these federal judicial officers to the list of protected individuals, the legislation ensures that acts of endangerment against them are treated with the same legal severity as threats against other public safety workers. The change applies to existing laws regarding aggravated assault and does not create new criminal charges but rather clarifies who qualifies for protection under current statutes.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's laws governing wholesale prescription drug distributors by clarifying definitions and adjusting licensing requirements. It introduces a new category for "virtual manufacturers," which are companies that approve and label drugs but do not physically store them within the state. To obtain a license, applicants must now provide proof of business registration and post a surety bond of at least $25,000, though this amount can be raised to $100,000 for larger operations. The law also exempts virtual manufacturers from physical storage rules at their main offices but requires them to ensure that any third-party facilities storing their products meet all safety and recordkeeping standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance companies and managed care plans in Pennsylvania to cover speech therapy for both childhood and neurological stuttering. It mandates that these plans provide unlimited coverage for both habilitative and rehabilitative treatments without restrictions on the number of visits, prior authorization, or specific disease types. The law also ensures that coverage includes both in-person sessions and telehealth services, while excluding school-based therapy solely based on an individualized education program.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act to update the list of protected characteristics, explicitly adding sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, familial status, handicap, disability, and the use of support animals to existing categories like race and age. The legislation directly affects employers, employment agencies, labor organizations, and providers of housing and public accommodations by clarifying that discrimination based on these new and existing traits is unlawful. It reinforces the state's policy of ensuring equal opportunity and mandates that the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission enforce these protections through established procedures and penalties. Additionally, the bill includes provisions to protect religious exercise while maintaining the commission's powers and duties to prevent prejudice and handle complaints.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Pennsylvania State Police to report to the Attorney General and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement when a background check reveals that a person attempting to buy a firearm is unlawfully present in the United States. Additionally, it mandates that judges inform the State Police about individuals who have been found incompetent, involuntarily committed, or treated for mental health issues, as well as those with drug use or addiction problems. These changes aim to improve the sharing of critical information between state authorities and federal immigration officials regarding firearm eligibility. The law will become effective 60 days after it is signed into legislation.