Rep. Nancy Guenst

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 summaryHB 350 updates Pennsylvania's domestic relations laws to modernize how parentage is established and how parental rights are handled in adoption and support cases. The bill enacts the Uniform Parentage Act, which introduces new procedures for voluntary acknowledgment of parentage, genetic testing, and legal processes for assisted reproduction and surrogacy. It also repeals older sections regarding paternity acknowledgment and clarifies the rules for terminating parental rights when a father does not contest an adoption hearing. Additionally, the legislation expands the legal grounds for courts to exercise jurisdiction over nonresident parents and ensures clearer notice requirements for all parties involved in these proceedings.

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 game laws to protect the privacy of law enforcement officers. It directly affects game wardens and other officers who issue citations by prohibiting them from listing their home addresses on official documents like tickets or special permits. The key provision adds a specific rule to the statute that bans the inclusion of personal residential information on any business issued by an officer. This change aims to mitigate potential safety risks for officers without altering their general enforcement duties or hunter registration requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how the director of the Pennsylvania Game Commission is appointed, shifting the power from the commission itself to the Governor. Under the new rules, the Governor would select the director for a two-year term with the approval of the state Senate, while current or recent commission members would be ineligible for the role. The changes take effect on January 1, 2025, and are part of a broader legislative effort to reorganize and increase accountability within the commission.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Pennsylvania's hunting laws by creating a specific exception that allows unarmed individuals to enter posted or marked private property solely to retrieve a hunting dog. The exception does not apply if the land is fenced to exclude trespassers, designated as a biosecurity area, or if the person fails to contact the landowner before entering. Additionally, the legislation clarifies penalties for trespassing on private land while hunting or trapping and outlines rules for training dogs on small game.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's Medicare Supplement Insurance Act to clarify definitions and establish rules for open enrollment. It defines "medicare supplement policies" to include specific group insurance plans while excluding those offered by certain employers, labor organizations, and professional associations. The legislation requires insurers to issue policies within one month of application and payment, prohibits discrimination based on health status or medical history, and limits preexisting condition exclusions for applicants with at least six months of prior coverage. These changes aim to standardize how these insurance products are sold and ensure broader access for eligible individuals.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the definitions within Pennsylvania's Outpatient Psychiatric Oversight Act to clarify who qualifies as an "advanced practice professional." It specifically allows certified registered nurse practitioners and physician assistants to work in outpatient psychiatric clinics if they obtain a mental health certification within two years of being hired or within two years of the law's effective date. Additionally, the bill permits physician assistants to practice in these settings if they have a written agreement with a psychiatrist, even without a separate mental health certification. These changes directly affect outpatient psychiatric clinics by expanding the pool of eligible staff members and providing a grace period for new hires to secure necessary certifications.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits service providers and vehicle lessors in Pennsylvania from charging early termination fees when a contract holder dies before the agreement ends. It directly affects families and estate administrators who need to cancel contracts for utilities, telecommunications, or car leases after a death. To enforce this, the law requires the executor of the estate to provide written notice along with a death certificate within 180 days, and providers must waive the fees upon receiving this documentation. Any company that charges these fees in violation of the act faces penalties under the state's Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law. The rules apply to contracts signed on or after the bill's effective date, which is set to occur 60 days after enactment.

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.