Rep. Missy Cerrato

Maddy summaryHB 721 amends Pennsylvania's Construction Workplace Misclassification Act to strengthen protections for construction workers who are incorrectly classified as independent contractors instead of employees. The bill allows affected workers to file lawsuits against companies for misclassification and imposes criminal penalties for repeated violations, while also adding safeguards against employer retaliation for reporting violations. It expands administrative penalties for misclassification and requires that penalty funds be used to support enforcement efforts. This directly affects construction companies that misclassify workers and construction workers who lose benefits like overtime pay, health insurance, or workers' compensation due to improper classification.

Maddy summaryHB 500 repeals existing tax credit provisions for local resource manufacturing (petrochemicals/fertilizers) and Pennsylvania milk processing, while creating new tax credits for clean energy and advanced manufacturing sectors. It establishes tax credits for reliable energy investments, regional clean hydrogen hubs, semiconductor manufacturing, biomedical research, geothermal energy, and sustainable aviation fuel. Eligible businesses must meet specific criteria for capital investment, job creation, and project location to apply for these credits through the Department of Revenue. The bill also updates definitions and application processes for these new credits, with annual funding limits and rules for credit usage.

Maddy summaryHB 433 requires health insurance plans to cover mammograms and breast imaging services without cost-sharing (like copays or deductibles) for policyholders. It directly affects women needing preventive breast cancer screenings and the insurance companies providing health coverage. The bill amends Pennsylvania’s 1921 Insurance Company Law to mandate this coverage for mammographic examinations and breast imaging under casualty insurance policies. This policy change ensures these essential preventive services are fully covered at no additional cost to patients.

Maddy summaryHB 1488 amends Pennsylvania's Election Code to change when proposed constitutional amendments must be voted on by voters. It requires that such amendments be submitted at the first general election occurring at least three months after both legislative chambers approve the amendment, removing the option for municipal elections. This affects state lawmakers who propose constitutional amendments and voters who will cast ballots on these measures. The bill does not alter the content of amendments or voting rules, only the timing and type of election used for their submission.

Maddy summaryHB 1490 creates a pilot program allowing eligible Certified Registered Nurse Practitioners (CRNPs) to practice independently in Pennsylvania's health professional shortage areas. To qualify, CRNPs must hold a current license, have no disciplinary actions in the past five years, and complete 3,600 hours of collaborative practice with a physician in primary care (family, internal medicine, gynecology, or pediatrics) within the last five years. Under the program, participating CRNPs can prescribe medications and practice without a collaborative agreement in shortage areas, but must disclose their non-physician status to patients and notify the board if they change practice settings. The program requires biennial renewal with 10 hours of additional patient safety continuing education and limits practice to primary care within designated shortage areas.

Maddy summaryHB 1484 increases Pennsylvania jury compensation to a flat $40 per day for all days jurors serve, replacing the previous tiered rate ($9 for first three days, $25 after). It also sets a travel allowance of 17¢ per mile circular (with no allowance in the first judicial district) and allows county commissioners to choose how jurors receive payments (e.g., check, debit card), without changing the compensation amount. The bill directly affects all Pennsylvanians summoned to serve on juries statewide. It makes no changes to eligibility or jury service requirements, only to payment structure and methods.

Maddy summaryHB 789 amends Pennsylvania's Property Assessed Clean Energy Program to include electric vehicle charging infrastructure as a qualifying project for financing. It defines "electric vehicle charging infrastructure project" as equipment for charging electric vehicles and expands the program to cover such installations alongside energy efficiency, renewable energy, and water conservation projects on commercial, agricultural, and industrial properties. The bill requires local governments to notify the Department of Revenue upon project completion, providing details and property owner contact information to ensure proper tax collection for electric vehicle charging. This update aims to streamline financing access for clean energy improvements while clarifying administrative requirements for local and state agencies.

Maddy summaryHB 820 creates Pennsylvania's "Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit," which provides a state tax credit equal to 30% of a taxpayer's federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) for the same year. This credit directly affects low-to-moderate income Pennsylvania residents who qualify for the federal EITC, applying it against their state tax bill. The credit is refundable, meaning taxpayers receive a cash refund if the credit exceeds their state tax liability. The bill takes effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.

Maddy summaryHB 630 amends Pennsylvania's Equal Pay Law to strengthen protections against wage discrimination based on sex, race, or ethnicity. It adds definitions for "comparable work" (requiring similar skill, effort, responsibility, and working conditions) and clarifies that "wages" include all compensation like fringe benefits. The bill explicitly bans employers from requiring employees to refrain from discussing wages, using salary history to set pay, or asking about prior wages during hiring. It also establishes an Equal Pay Enforcement Fund to support enforcement efforts and clarifies that job titles alone cannot determine if jobs are comparable.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1469 amends the Health Care Facilities Act to establish requirements for hospital price transparency. It mandates that hospitals publish a comprehensive list of their standard charges for all items and services on their public websites in a readable digital format. This list must include gross charges, discounted cash prices, and various negotiated rates with third-party payors. The bill also provides for a prohibition on debt collection action against patients by hospitals that do not comply with these requirements, aiming to give patients clearer access to pricing information.