Rep. Missy Cerrato

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes rules for how Pennsylvania can use money from the Veterans' Trust Fund. It prohibits the state from using these funds to pay salaries for administrative staff working at veterans' or charitable organizations, though medical care providers are exempt from this restriction. Additionally, the law limits grants or assistance to any single organization to a maximum of $250,000 over a three-year period. These changes apply immediately to the State Veterans' Commission and the Deputy Adjutant General for Veterans' Affairs.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania laws regarding inheritance to prevent individuals who kill others or commit elder abuse from profiting from their crimes. It specifically bars people convicted of murdering a victim or abusing an elderly person from receiving any property, benefits, or inheritance that would normally pass to them. The legislation treats these individuals as if they died before the victim for the purpose of distributing assets, while also defining specific rules for how shared property like joint accounts or tenancies are handled in these cases. By amending the state's decedents, estates, and fiduciaries statutes, the law ensures that assets left by victims go to their rightful heirs rather than to those who harmed them.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires private health insurers and state-managed health plans to cover biomarker testing when it is used to diagnose, treat, or monitor a specific disease or condition. The legislation defines biomarker testing as the analysis of tissue, blood, or other biological samples to identify indicators of biological processes, while explicitly excluding coverage for general screening purposes. Coverage for these tests must follow the same rules as other medical services, including standard cost-sharing and medical necessity reviews, and the changes will take effect 180 days after the bill is signed.

Maddy summaryHB 1490 modifies the Acupuncture Licensure Act to require licensed acupuncturists to complete specific continuing education hours. This mandate aligns with existing requirements for physicians and osteopathic doctors under separate medical practice laws. The bill ensures that acupuncture professionals maintain updated knowledge through standardized training similar to other licensed healthcare providers.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands tenant protections under the Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951 to provide stronger rights when tenants or their immediate family members are victims of violence. It broadens the definition of who qualifies as an immediate family or household member to include a wider range of relatives and partners, and it extends coverage to victims who live within 1,000 feet of the tenant's home or who were killed in a violent act. The legislation also allows tenants to request a temporary relocation from their rental unit if they have suffered physical or mental injury due to a violent crime, provided they submit specific documentation such as a restraining order, a police report, or a medical letter. Additionally, the bill reduces the time a landlord has to respond to such requests from 180 days to 120 days and clarifies the types of evidence tenants must provide to support their claims.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Pennsylvania's Public School Code to update funding rules for two specific programs: the Keystone Telepresence Education Grant Program and a disability-inclusive curriculum pilot. It allows the state education department to use up to $300,000 annually from existing, unspent funds to award grants to eligible schools and districts. The legislation also clarifies that these funds must be moved to a restricted account by the Secretary of the Budget before they can be used. These changes aim to provide more flexibility in utilizing available money to support virtual learning tools and inclusive educational materials without requiring new budget allocations.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's existing abortion laws to clarify requirements for medical consultations and informed consent. It mandates that, except in medical emergencies, a woman must have a private consultation with a physician to determine if an abortion is necessary based on her physical, emotional, and other relevant circumstances. Additionally, the law requires that at least 24 hours before the procedure, a physician must provide specific information about the procedure, the unborn child, medical risks of carrying the pregnancy to term, and available support services, while also informing the patient of her right to review printed materials. The bill does not create new criminal penalties but rather refines the current legal framework governing how abortions are performed and documented in the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Health Care Facilities Act to require licensed hospitals providing general medical and surgical services to offer emergency care to anyone arriving with an injury or acute medical condition. The law mandates that these services include medical screening, stabilizing treatment, and protections against discrimination or delays, while allowing specific types of hospitals like long-term acute care facilities to opt out. Notably, the bill explicitly defines stabilizing treatment to include abortion when it is necessary to resolve a patient's injury or acute medical condition. These requirements must follow existing federal guidelines and state rules, and the changes will take effect 60 days after the bill is enacted.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania laws to protect the privacy of emergency responders by restricting who can share information about their mental health discussions, except in cases of immediate danger or with consent. It specifically requires employers to provide free mental health evaluations for post-traumatic stress disorder to 911 dispatchers upon request or supervisor recommendation. If a dispatcher is found to have PTSD symptoms, the law mandates that they receive treatment and be temporarily assigned to administrative duties until a healthcare provider confirms they can return to full work. These changes aim to support the well-being of first responders and dispatchers while establishing clear rules for confidentiality and care.

Maddy summaryThis resolution officially designates June 2024 as "Italian-American Heritage Month" within the state of Pennsylvania. The measure highlights the historical and cultural contributions of Italian-Americans to the region, noting that approximately 1.7 million Pennsylvanians have Italian ancestry. It serves as a commemorative recognition rather than a policy change, aiming to celebrate the community's legacy and ongoing impact on the Commonwealth.