Rep. Ben Sanchez

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's existing Assistance and Service Animal Integrity Act to create a formal identification system for trained service dogs. It requires these dogs to wear a specific card issued by the Department of Health and mandates the creation of a state database to track registered animals. The legislation allows public accommodations to verify a dog's status through this card while also establishing a new crime for fraudulently misrepresenting a pet as a service dog. Additionally, the bill includes provisions to protect individuals from liability when acting in good faith to enforce these new identification rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires electric utilities in Pennsylvania to include specific information about their energy storage plans in their annual reports to the state commission. Specifically, the law mandates that these companies provide an assessment of how they use energy storage, including data on how quickly they can charge and discharge power under different economic conditions. The definitions clarify that energy storage refers to equipment that absorbs, holds, and releases electricity, while charge and discharge times measure the duration of these processes. This requirement is designed to give regulators better insight into how utilities plan to manage future electricity demand using storage technology. The changes will take effect 60 days after the bill is enacted.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Pennsylvania's Public School Code to clarify who must prove their case during special education disputes. Specifically, it states that school districts generally bear the burden of proof in due process hearings involving exceptional children, unless the parents unilaterally chose a private school placement, in which case the parents must provide the proof. The law applies to situations concerning a child's identification, evaluation, classification, placement, or disciplinary actions. The changes are designed to streamline legal procedures by explicitly defining these responsibilities rather than leaving them open to interpretation.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's Equal Pay Law to require employers with fifteen or more workers to share specific wage and benefit details in job advertisements and job offers. Under the new rules, companies must list costs for health insurance, life insurance, and retirement plans in job postings or provide a direct link to this information online. When making a job offer, employers must also state the salary or hourly wage, clarify overtime rules, and include summaries of employee benefit plans. The legislation applies to positions performed in Pennsylvania, including remote roles, and establishes penalties for employers who knowingly fail to provide this required information.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's laws regarding advance health care directives to replace the outdated living will system with a more flexible framework that combines written instructions with the appointment of a trusted agent. It directly affects individuals who wish to plan for their future medical care, as well as healthcare providers who must follow these new rules. Key provisions include defining new terms like "cohabitant" and "end-stage medical condition," clarifying how to handle conflicting directives, and establishing specific guidelines for when a health care agent can make decisions. The legislation also addresses mental health care planning, outlines the duties of physicians, and sets standards for the validity and form of these legal documents.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes the expiration date from Pennsylvania's health care cost containment laws, ensuring these regulations remain in effect indefinitely. By repealing Section 3317 of the state's health statutes, the legislation prevents the automatic termination of rules designed to manage medical expenses. The change applies to all entities currently subject to these cost containment measures, effectively making the provisions permanent rather than temporary.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania laws regarding child protective services to improve how cases are investigated and how records are handled. It requires that when a child abuse report is found to be unfounded but the family still needs help, agencies must keep those records for a specific time before expunging them, while ensuring the subject of the record receives written notice of the expunction. Additionally, the legislation mandates the creation of specialized review teams for cases where a child dies or suffers a near-fatal injury due to abuse. These teams must include a diverse group of experts, such as healthcare professionals, law enforcement, mental health specialists, and community representatives, to conduct thorough reviews and write reports. The bill also clarifies the composition of these teams to ensure broad representation and expertise in preventing and treating child abuse.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a resolution that formally recognizes June 2026 as Caribbean-American Heritage Month in Pennsylvania. It directly affects state residents and officials by encouraging them to honor the contributions of Caribbean Americans during that month. The resolution cites the historical significance of Caribbean heritage and the positive impact of Caribbean Americans on the nation and the Commonwealth. As a commemorative measure, it does not create new laws or change policies, but rather serves to acknowledge and celebrate cultural contributions.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House Resolution that officially recognizes September 2026 as 'International Underground Railroad Month' within Pennsylvania. It does not create new laws or change how the state operates, but rather serves as a formal acknowledgment of the state's historical role in the Underground Railroad network. The resolution honors the individuals who helped enslaved people escape to freedom and highlights the significance of related historical sites across the Commonwealth.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution that designates July 5, 2026, as "Venezuelan Independence Day" in Pennsylvania to honor the nation's 1811 declaration of independence from Spain. The text highlights historical connections between Philadelphia and the Venezuelan independence movement, noting that the city has long served as a hub for revolutionary ideas and hosts a statue gifted by Venezuela. Additionally, the resolution acknowledges the current Venezuelan community in the state, which numbers over 6,500 residents. As a symbolic measure, the bill does not alter laws or policies but serves to recognize historical ties and celebrate cultural heritage.