Rep. Ben Sanchez

Maddy summaryHB 2441 creates a new experience-based certification pathway in Pennsylvania for school counselors and school nurses, allowing them to work while completing additional education. The bill requires these professionals to hold a relevant master's or doctoral degree, pass a specific professional exam, and complete a set number of supervised clinical hours. It also mandates continuing education credits, including training on child abuse reporting and suicide prevention, and limits the temporary certification to a maximum of five years.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Office of Housing Opportunity within Pennsylvania's Department of Community and Economic Development to oversee housing production goals. The office will be led by a Deputy Secretary appointed by the Governor and will work with other state agencies to develop and meet ten-year housing targets. A new advisory committee will be formed to guide the office, including representatives from the General Assembly, local governments, and housing experts. The office will also manage a grant program for residential economic development districts and publish annual reports on housing progress.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands death benefit eligibility in Pennsylvania for firefighters who die from cancer linked to their work. To qualify, a firefighter must have served at least four years, had direct exposure to a carcinogen, and passed a pre-service physical exam showing no signs of cancer. The law presumes these deaths occurred while performing official duties, allowing their families to receive financial support under the existing Emergency and Law Enforcement Personnel Death Benefits Act. The changes will take effect 60 days after the bill is signed into law.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new program in Pennsylvania to help landlords and tenants manage energy costs by switching from individual meters to a single master meter for the entire building. Under the proposed system, landlords would install their own submeters to track individual tenant usage, allowing for more accurate billing while giving tenants access to energy efficiency technologies and savings programs. The legislation mandates specific protections for tenants, including requirements for accurate meter testing, lease verification before conversion, and options for managing energy consumption within their units. Additionally, the bill establishes rules for how landlords can participate in utility programs and ensures that disconnection processes include proper notice and payment plan options.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House resolution designates September 2026 as "Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Month" to raise awareness about child hunger and food waste in the state. The document highlights statistics on food insecurity among students and discusses strategies like "share tables" to help reduce waste while providing extra meals. It serves as a symbolic gesture to focus attention on these issues rather than implementing new laws or funding changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires school districts in Pennsylvania to follow specific guidelines when hiring vendors to create detailed maps of their campuses for emergency response purposes. The new rules mandate that these maps be accurate, include labeled floor plans and utility locations, and be compatible with existing public safety software without extra costs. Additionally, the data must be stored securely within the United States, and districts must obtain approval from local law enforcement before entering into such contracts.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Construction Code Act to create a funding mechanism for residential construction workforce training. It allows municipalities to charge an optional fee of up to $10 on residential permits, which would be collected and deposited into a new state account. Money from this account would be used to award grants to nonprofits, educational institutions, and local governments for training programs, apprenticeships, and equipment. A key provision requires that these grants be directed to counties where the original permit fees were collected to support local housing needs. The bill also mandates detailed annual reports on how the funds are spent and the outcomes of the training programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Municipalities Planning Code to create a streamlined approval process for high-density housing in designated growth areas. It requires the state Department of Community and Economic Development to establish rules that allow municipalities to fast-track land use decisions for vacant lots in zones where such housing is already permitted by right. The expedited process applies specifically to attached or detached homes, including accessory dwelling units, provided they meet minimum density standards and do not involve environmentally sensitive or hazard-prone areas. To support this initiative, the bill mandates the use of pre-approved building plans, concurrent review procedures, and a technical assistance hub to help local governments reduce delays and meet permitting timelines.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Office of Transformation and Opportunity within the Governor's Office to streamline economic development projects and coordinate resources across state agencies. The office will act as a central hub to speed up permit reviews, manage funding applications, and ensure that projects benefit disadvantaged communities. It also establishes a Commonwealth Housing Ombudsman to resolve disputes and align policies related to residential housing needs. The office will be led by a Chief Officer appointed by the Governor, who will report directly to the Governor and produce annual reports on economic progress.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires emergency medical services providers in Pennsylvania, including paramedics and nurses, to complete specific training on caring for individuals with dementia. The Department of Health must create a program covering how to communicate effectively with these patients, manage behavioral symptoms, and identify signs of abuse. New providers will need three hours of initial training, while all providers must complete one hour of continuing education annually. Those who already finished similar training within the last 18 months will be exempt from the initial requirement but must still take the annual course.