Rep. Nancy Guenst

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania county laws to set specific fees that coroners can charge for various death-related reports. Under the new rules, coroners must collect $500 for autopsy reports and $100 for toxicology or inquisition reports from nongovernmental agencies, such as insurance companies, investigating a death. Family members, including spouses, children, parents, guardians, and siblings, may request these same reports for a reduced fee of up to $100 for an autopsy and $50 for other documents. All money collected from these fees must be turned over to the county treasurer and used specifically to fund training for coroners and their office staff. The changes apply to all counties in the state and will take effect 60 days after the bill is signed into law.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania bill creates a new criminal offense for falsely claiming an animal is a service dog to gain access to public places or other benefits. It defines a service animal strictly as a dog individually trained to perform specific tasks for a person with a disability, explicitly excluding emotional support animals and dogs that merely provide comfort or companionship. Under the proposed law, anyone who intentionally misrepresents an animal as a trained service dog would commit a summary offense, a minor criminal violation. The legislation clarifies what counts as legitimate task performance, such as guiding the blind or alerting the deaf, while distinguishing these from the crime deterrent effects or emotional support provided by pets.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits insurance companies from discriminating against individuals based on their use of specific drugs when underwriting, issuing, or renewing certain life insurance policies. The key provision expands the scope of protection to include the refusal to renew a policy, ensuring that coverage cannot be denied solely due to drug use. It directly affects insurance carriers and policyholders by mandating that decisions be based on factors other than the presence of certain substances. The legislation aims to create a more uniform standard for drug-related assessments in life insurance without advocating for a specific outcome.

Maddy summaryHB 2370 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to update regulations for public schools and charter schools, with specific new rules on advertising and funding. The bill requires public schools to clearly state that any advertised costs for tuition or technology are paid by taxpayers and prohibits schools from using taxpayer money to sponsor public events. It also establishes reporting requirements for school advertising expenditures and expands definitions related to charter school management and enrollment. Additionally, the legislation modifies how student-weighted basic education funding is calculated and introduces new accountability grants for the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates the week of June 17 through 23, 2024, as "Pollinator Week" throughout Pennsylvania to raise awareness about the importance of bees and other pollinators for agriculture and ecosystems. It acknowledges the roles of various state organizations, such as the Pennsylvania State Beekeepers Association and the Department of Agriculture, in supporting beekeeping and habitat conservation. The resolution formally congratulates these groups for their efforts and urges the Governor to issue a proclamation recognizing the observance. Copies of the resolution will be sent to relevant state agencies and partner organizations to facilitate public recognition of the event.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Clean Indoor Air Act to update definitions and clarify which specific types of businesses are subject to smoking restrictions. It directly affects establishments such as drinking establishments, cigar bars, and gaming floors by refining the criteria used to classify them under the law. Key provisions include adding new definitions for terms like "electronic smoking device" and "private club," while also removing certain categories like "cigar bars" from the list of regulated venues. The legislation maintains the state's authority to set these rules and prevents local governments from passing conflicting ordinances.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Pennsylvania's personal income tax law to introduce tax incentives for 529 savings accounts and tuition programs. It allows employers to claim a tax credit for matching employee contributions to 529 accounts, with a limit of $500 per employee per year, provided the employee also contributes to the account. Additionally, the bill updates tuition account rules to prevent fees from being charged when an account is closed due to the beneficiary's death or disability and ensures such payments are not taxed as income. These changes aim to encourage education savings while clarifying tax treatment for specific account events.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania bill, known as the Contract Automatic Renewal Act, requires vendors to clearly disclose and notify consumers about contract terms that automatically renew for more than six months. The law mandates that these renewal clauses be highlighted in bold text and that consumers receive written notice at least 30 days before the renewal takes effect, along with specific instructions on how to cancel the agreement. If a business or contract is sold, the new owner must inform the customer within 60 days and provide an opportunity to opt out of the automatic renewal. Contracts that fail to meet these disclosure and notification standards will be considered void and unenforceable in the state. The legislation applies to most consumer service contracts but excludes specific industries such as insurance, utilities, and banking.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's existing Assistance and Service Animal Integrity Act to clarify definitions and establish a formal system for documenting service dogs. It creates a new trained service animal card and a corresponding database managed by the Department of Health to verify the credentials of service animals entering public accommodations. The legislation also updates rules for housing, allowing landlords to request written documentation from tenants only when a disability is not obvious, while providing immunity from liability for injuries caused by registered service animals.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a grant program to provide menstrual hygiene products to students in Pennsylvania public schools without charge. It directs the Department of Education to award funding to school districts that have at least 50% of their students eligible for free or reduced-cost lunch, allowing recipients to purchase items like tampons and pads or install dispensing machines. The program requires that these products be accessible to all students regardless of their gender identity and mandates that schools report how the funds are spent. A total of $100,000 is appropriated from the state's General Fund to support this initiative.