Rep. Missy Cerrato

Maddy summaryHB 1800 would repeal the current legal provisions in Pennsylvania that recognize marriage between people of the same sex by removing specific sections from the domestic relations code. The bill directly affects same-sex couples currently married in Pennsylvania, as it would eliminate the statutory basis for their marriages. Key provisions include amending definitions in the preliminary sections of the code and striking down existing language that addresses same-sex marriage. The bill is currently referred to the Judiciary committee and has not been enacted.

Maddy summaryThis bill would create a state-funded paid family and medical leave program for eligible workers needing time off for health issues, childbirth, or family care. It establishes a dedicated state fund to cover leave costs, creates an advisory board to guide implementation, and assigns oversight to the Department of Labor. The program would directly affect employees in the state who qualify for these leave types, requiring employers to provide the benefits. The bill also specifies penalties for businesses failing to comply with the new requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the legal definition of aggravated assault in Pennsylvania to include school staff members and crossing guards. Specifically, it adds teaching employees, school board members, licensed private school workers, parochial school employees, and school crossing guards to the list of individuals protected by aggravated assault laws. The change applies when these individuals are acting within the scope of their employment or due to their relationship with the school. If passed, the new provisions would take effect 60 days after the bill is enacted.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Professional Nursing Law to update the legal definitions and scope of practice for certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs). It allows CRNAs to perform anesthesia services under the overall direction of a physician, podiatrist, or dentist who is present and available onsite during the procedure. The legislation grants CRNAs expanded authority to prescribe and administer certain medications, order and interpret diagnostic tests, and manage patient care throughout the anesthesia process, including preoperative preparation, induction, maintenance, and post-anesthesia care. These changes formalize the professional responsibilities of CRNAs within the state's nursing regulatory framework without altering the requirement for collaborative oversight by licensed medical professionals.

Maddy summaryHB 802 amends Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law to add two new exceptions for public records: (1) notes and working papers used solely for personal purposes (like telephone message slips or routing slips with no official purpose) and (2) records disclosing the identity of a claimant or victim in a settlement of a sexual harassment or assault case. The bill clarifies that these exceptions do not apply to financial records, meaning agencies must still release financial records but may redact the specific protected portions. This change affects how public agencies handle record requests, particularly for personal employee materials and sensitive victim information. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's military educational assistance program by clarifying eligibility requirements and service obligations for National Guard and reserve component members. It establishes that eligible members must sign a promissory note agreeing to repay grant funds if they fail to complete their required service commitment, which ranges from six years for National Guard members to eight years for federal reserve members. The legislation also allows for successive grant certificates upon completing initial obligations and permits members who receive other-than-dishonorable discharges to retain a proportional share of earned benefits if they meet specific conditions. These changes apply to members of the Pennsylvania National Guard and reserve components of the U.S. Armed Forces seeking educational assistance through the state program.

Maddy summaryHB 300 amends Pennsylvania's Human Relations Act to add explicit protections for religious exercise alongside existing anti-discrimination rules. It directly affects employers, housing providers, and businesses offering public accommodations by prohibiting discrimination based on religion in employment, housing, and public services. The bill updates the law to include religious freedom as a protected category under anti-discrimination provisions. It also clarifies the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission's authority to enforce these protections. The amendment does not create new enforcement mechanisms but integrates religious exercise protections into the existing framework of the 1955 Act.

Maddy summaryHB 289 requires all Pennsylvania public, charter, and private schools to test for radon gas in existing buildings starting with the 2026-2027 school year. If radon levels reach 4 picocuries per liter or higher, schools must install mitigation systems and retest until levels fall below that threshold, with new schools required to use radon-resistant construction. Testing must be done by certified professionals using specific protocols, and results must be shared with school boards, parents, teachers, and health officials. Schools with low radon levels must retest every five years, while those needing mitigation must retest every two years. This law directly affects all Pennsylvania school entities and aims to reduce exposure to radon, a radioactive gas linked to lung cancer.

Maddy summaryHB 501 amends Pennsylvania's Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act to update definitions and clarify requirements for renewable energy compliance. It specifically adds "advanced reactor" (including small modular reactors) to eligible energy sources, refines criteria for low-impact hydropower, and updates definitions for biomass, biogas, and alternative energy credits. The bill affects electric utilities required to meet portfolio standards by specifying which energy sources count toward compliance and how credits are calculated. These changes aim to modernize the framework for renewable energy reporting and incentives without altering current percentage targets. The bill is currently in committee review (Environmental & Natural Resource Protection).

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new regulatory framework for short-term rentals in Pennsylvania by creating a statewide system that categorizes operators, requires registration, and sets safety and insurance standards. It distinguishes between small individual hosts operating fewer than 10 properties and larger corporate operators managing 10 or more units, with stricter requirements applying to the latter. The legislation mandates that all short-term rentals be registered with the county, ensures a responsible person is available at each property within an hour of contact, and allows municipalities to maintain their existing zoning restrictions while requiring them to notify the county of any bans. Penalties are imposed for non-compliance, and the bill includes a transitional period for existing operators to meet new requirements.