Rep. Nancy Guenst

Maddy summaryHB 1589 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to update provisions regarding school library collections, specifically addressing books, furniture, and supplies. It directly affects public school libraries by establishing new requirements or standards for their collections under the existing code framework. The bill focuses on procedural changes to library resource management within the school system. As a referral to the Education committee (June 11, 2025), it has not yet advanced further. Specific policy details beyond the title are not provided in the available context.

Maddy summaryHB 1568 amends Pennsylvania's Wage Payment and Collection Law to clarify when employers must pay employees who are terminated or leave their job before the next scheduled payday. The bill specifies that final paychecks must be issued by a defined deadline, ensuring workers receive earned wages promptly without delay. This directly affects employees who separate from their job before payday and their employers, who must comply with the updated payment timeline. The bill was referred to the Labor & Industry committee on June 9, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates June 14, 2025, as the "250th Birthday of the United States Army" within Pennsylvania. It commemorates the founding of the Continental Army on June 14, 1775, and recognizes Pennsylvania's historical role in the Army's formation, including its "Pennsylvania Line" units. The resolution also acknowledges Pennsylvania's large veteran population (nearly 700,000) and honors current and past Army service members. As a commemorative resolution, it has no binding policy impact and serves solely to recognize this historical milestone.

Maddy summaryHB 463 prohibits "speculative ticketing," which involves buying event tickets to resell them at significantly higher prices before the event occurs. It directly affects consumers who face inflated prices and ticket sellers engaging in this practice. The bill amends the Unfair Trade Practices Law to ban buying or selling tickets for profit based on anticipated demand, not actual ownership. The bill passed the House on June 4, 2025, and is now pending review by the Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure committee.

Maddy summaryHB 1500 establishes a Cyber Charter School Funding and Policy Council to develop recommendations on funding, governance, and accountability for cyber charter schools by April 2026. The bill requires public school entities to report advertising and sponsorship spending annually, and mandates detailed cost-tracking for special education services based on individualized student plans. It also adds provisions for student wellness checks, enrollment notifications, and fund balance limits for cyber charter schools, while maintaining a moratorium on new cyber charter school approvals. The law directly affects cyber charter schools, public school districts, and students with disabilities in Pennsylvania.

Maddy summaryHB 1559, titled the "Employee Right to Privacy Act," requires Pennsylvania employers to provide written notice to employees (including independent contractors) about electronic monitoring, such as tracking computer use or phone calls, by posting a visible notice before implementing it. Exceptions allow monitoring without notice if an employer reasonably suspects an employee of misconduct that violates law, workplace rights, or creates a hostile environment. Violating this notice requirement incurs fines: $500 for a first offense, $2,000 for a second, and $5,000 for third or subsequent violations. The bill aims to ensure transparency in workplace monitoring while balancing employer needs for safety and legal compliance.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates June 8-14, 2025, as "Chesapeake Bay Awareness Week" in Pennsylvania. It recognizes the Chesapeake Bay watershed’s importance to Pennsylvania - including its role in providing drinking water, supporting 348 fish species, contributing to the $500 million seafood harvest, and covering half the state’s land area - without creating new laws or funding. The resolution encourages Pennsylvanians to host educational events during this week to raise awareness about the bay’s ecological and economic value.

Maddy summaryHR 166 is a symbolic resolution that urges the U.S. Congress to maintain support for Taiwan and formally recognizes the existing friendship between Pennsylvania and Taiwan. It does not create new laws or alter policies but expresses legislative support through a formal statement. The resolution was adopted by the Pennsylvania legislature on June 3, 2025, after committee review. It directly affects Pennsylvania's official stance on U.S.-Taiwan relations but has no binding effect on federal legislation or international policy.

Maddy summaryHB 1096 creates the Pennsylvania Food Bucks Program, which provides financial assistance to low-income residents for purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables at participating retailers. The bill establishes a dedicated "Pennsylvania Food Bucks Program Account" within the state treasury to fund the program and requires the state to conduct research on the program's effectiveness. It directly affects eligible low-income Pennsylvanians and participating farmers and retailers by expanding access to healthy food options. The law, which passed on June 3, 2025, focuses on concrete policy changes: creating the program structure, securing funding through the new account, and mandating program evaluation.

Maddy summaryHB 1140 requires health insurers and Medicaid/CHIP managed care plans in Pennsylvania to cover all FDA-approved contraceptives - including prescription drugs, devices, emergency contraception (like levonorgestrel), and oral contraceptives - without any out-of-pocket costs for enrollees. It specifically prohibits prior authorization or step therapy for emergency and oral contraceptives, and mandates coverage for sterilization procedures and related services like counseling. The bill directly affects health insurers, managed care plans, and their enrollees by expanding contraceptive coverage under state insurance regulations. It exempts male condoms from coverage requirements but ensures no cost-sharing for covered contraceptive methods.