Rep. Ben Sanchez

Maddy summaryHB 135 amends Pennsylvania's corporate law to update rules for worker cooperatives, which are businesses owned and managed by their employees. It revises the legal requirements for forming a worker cooperative (including the "articles of incorporation") and clarifies governance rules for directors and officers. This directly affects worker-owned businesses in Pennsylvania by changing how they establish their legal structure and manage leadership roles. The bill proposes concrete changes to state statutes but has not yet been enacted.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania bill amends the Public School Code to clarify special education evaluation procedures for students enrolled in charter schools. Beginning in the 2026-2027 school year, the local school district of residence will conduct initial disability evaluations for these students rather than the charter school. The district or an intermediate unit must issue a report on eligibility and service recommendations to parents and the charter school entity. While intermediate units can charge fees for these evaluations, charter schools remain responsible for providing the special education services outlined in the report.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new grant program in Pennsylvania to encourage the construction of workforce housing in areas that might otherwise resist such development. Local governments can apply for funding if they commit to adopting at least five specific pro-housing policies, such as reducing permit fees, allowing higher-density zoning, or eliminating parking requirements. The program aims to increase home ownership and support major economic projects by providing financial assistance to counties and municipalities that streamline their housing approval processes.

Maddy summaryHB 1706 requires Pennsylvania schools to integrate student mental health awareness into existing health education standards and school operations. It mandates the State Board of Education to update health standards, the Department of Health and Education to develop public guidelines on mental health warning signs for students and families, and schools to notify students and parents twice yearly about local mental health services. The bill also requires school entities to report student absences or injuries in activities to student assistance programs and directs the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association to add mental health training to coach certification by the 2025-2026 school year. This bill directly affects all public, private, and parochial schools in Pennsylvania, their students, families, and athletic staff.

Maddy summaryHB 586 amends Pennsylvania's Solid Waste Management Act to update definitions, clarify department responsibilities, and revise permit requirements for waste management entities. It specifically adds new rules for handling food processing residuals (waste from food processing plants) and includes reporting obligations. The bill also establishes penalties for noncompliance with these updated provisions. These changes directly affect waste management companies, food processors, and local departments overseeing waste handling. The amendment focuses on modernizing regulatory processes rather than creating new programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Joint State Government Commission to study the creation of a statewide housing accelerator and review current approval processes that delay construction. The study will examine how inconsistent zoning rules, conservation district backlogs, and permitting steps slow down residential projects, while also looking at successful strategies used by other states. The commission is tasked with developing recommendations to streamline these procedures and expand housing availability, with a final report due to the General Assembly within one year.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Pesticide Control Act to clarify that the state's pesticide regulations override any conflicting local laws or ordinances. It allows the state secretary to delegate enforcement duties to designated employees and establishes that pesticide registration, sale, and use are matters of statewide concern. While municipalities generally cannot regulate pesticides, the bill creates a specific exception that permits cities with a population density of at least 300 people per square mile to ban commercial pesticide applications on private property. Additionally, the Department of Community and Economic Development must create a sample ordinance within 120 days to help municipalities implement this new authority.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes Pennsylvania to join the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact, a legal agreement designed to allow licensed respiratory therapists to practice in other member states without needing separate licenses for each location. The legislation establishes a framework where a therapist's home state retains primary regulatory authority while granting temporary practice privileges in other states to improve patient access and support military families. Key provisions include creating a central data system to track licenses, defining strict rules for handling disciplinary actions across state lines, and setting requirements for criminal background checks and jurisprudence exams. By adopting this compact, the state aims to streamline administrative processes and address workforce shortages while maintaining public safety standards.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House resolution designates the week of April 13 through 17, 2026, as "Local Government Week" and April 22, 2026, as "Local Government Day" within the state. The measure aims to highlight the work of the Commonwealth's thousands of local officials and employees who provide essential services such as road maintenance, public safety, and utilities. By formally recognizing these contributions, the bill seeks to bring attention to the importance of local governance in daily community life.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new State Board of Opticianry in Pennsylvania to oversee the registration and regulation of opticians. To practice, individuals must register with the board by passing a certification exam and holding current national certifications, while exempting experienced professionals and students from immediate requirements. The board will consist of opticians, eye care doctors, and a public member, and it will maintain a public registry of licensed professionals. Opticians must also complete specific continuing education credits every three years to keep their registration active.