Rep. Joe Webster

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the existing Pharmacy Audit Integrity and Transparency Act to refine how pharmacy audits and fees are handled. It clarifies that certain insurance supplements are excluded from specific terms and changes the notice period for additional fees from the time of claim adjudication to thirty days before the fees are applied. The legislation also updates definitions to refer to "generic" drugs instead of "general" ones and expands the scope of federal employee benefit protections. Additionally, it adjusts reporting requirements for pharmacy benefit managers and the state agency overseeing these audits.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Pennsylvania laws regarding the division of property inherited by multiple people, known as heir's property. It introduces a "right of first refusal" that allows family members or other co-owners to buy a share of the property at the same price offered by an outside buyer before that buyer can purchase it. Additionally, the bill mandates a court-ordered settlement conference within 60 days of a partition lawsuit to encourage parties to negotiate a fair solution, such as a buyout or continued shared ownership. If the court finds that a party refused to negotiate in good faith during this conference, the lawsuit could be dismissed. These changes aim to simplify the legal process and help prevent the forced sale of family homes.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania insurance regulations to clarify how dental insurers and their vendors must handle fees associated with electronic payments and credit cards. It requires these entities to inform patients that such fees may apply to their payments and to provide clear instructions on how to find the exact fee amounts. The law explicitly excludes fees charged by financial institutions or merchant servicers selected by the dentist from these notification requirements. Additionally, the bill defines specific types of payment processing entities, such as payment settlement entities and merchant acquiring entities, to ensure clarity in regulatory compliance.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania vehicle registration laws to create special license plates for specific groups, including recipients of the Expeditionary Forces Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, and the Borinqueneers Congressional Gold Medal. It also establishes new motorcycle plates for veterans, women veterans, and individuals honoring veterans, while updating the requirements for a Distracted Driving Awareness plate. To obtain these plates, eligible individuals must apply and pay an additional fee ranging from $20 to $41, with some funds designated for the Veterans' Trust Fund. The legislation applies to passenger vehicles under 14,000 pounds for the medal recipients and is restricted to motorcycles for the veteran-related plate designs.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Liquor Code to clarify rules regarding ownership interests and employment within the alcohol industry. It specifically allows individuals who own a manufacturer of malt or brewed beverages to work for hotels, restaurants, or clubs, provided they do not serve as a manager or handle alcohol service. Additionally, the legislation establishes new promotion boards for the malt and brewed beverages and distilled spirits industries while updating provisions for license surrenders and operating hours. These changes aim to modernize regulations governing the sale and production of alcohol without restricting business ownership across different sectors.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's driver licensing laws to better support minors and homeless youth. For minors, it requires a signed certification from a parent or guardian confirming that the driver has completed 65 hours of supervised practice, including specific amounts of night and bad weather driving, before taking their license test. The legislation also allows homeless children and youth to use temporary addresses like schools or shelters when applying for licenses and exempts them from paying the associated fees. Additionally, it clarifies that the adults who sign these certifications are not legally liable for the minor's driving behavior.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Public School Code of 1949 to establish a Board of Governors for the State System of Higher Education. The board will consist of 22 appointed members, including two new nonvoting positions for a nonfaculty employee and a faculty member from constituent institutions. These nonvoting members will attend regular meetings but will not have voting power, except potentially in specific conflict of interest situations. The legislation also clarifies the board's authority to appoint these student, faculty, and nonfaculty members to its councils. The changes are set to take effect 60 days after the bill is enacted.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's Public School Code to strengthen policies against bullying and cyberbullying for all public, private, and parochial schools. It requires school districts to adopt or revise their anti-bullying rules by January 1, 2009, to include clear definitions of bullying and cyberbullying, specific disciplinary consequences, and procedures for notifying parents within five days of an incident. The law defines bullying as severe or persistent acts that disrupt a student's education or school environment, while cyberbullying specifically involves these acts committed through computers or mobile devices during school hours. Additionally, the bill mandates that schools designate a staff member to receive bullying reports and ensures parent notifications comply with federal privacy laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Department of Human Services to create a plan for maternal home visiting programs that are voluntary and subject to available funding. The legislation removes language mandating universal access and eliminates references to impact bonds, instead focusing on assessing the potential to expand these services. It also requires the department to submit an annual report to the General Assembly by December 31 of each year, which must include recommendations for future legislative action.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the authority of Pennsylvania's intermediate units to acquire and lease property for school facilities and establishes a funding mechanism for these capital projects. It creates a program that allows nonpublic schools to receive grants for safety and security enhancements, which can be used for violence prevention, mental health initiatives, and hiring security personnel. Additionally, the legislation sets a minimum funding level for these targeted grants and clarifies that intermediate units can only use a small percentage of the funds for administrative costs.