Rep. Danielle Otten

Maddy summaryHB 1645 protects licensed healthcare professionals in Pennsylvania from losing their licenses or facing disciplinary action for providing reproductive health care services, including abortion. The bill prohibits licensing boards from disciplining individuals who assist in such services, even if they were sanctioned in another state for the same work when it would have been legal in Pennsylvania. It defines "reproductive health care services" to include medical care related to pregnancy, contraception, and termination of pregnancy. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHR 194 is a symbolic resolution designating August 2025 as "National Wellness Month" in Pennsylvania. It does not create new laws, allocate funding, or directly affect specific groups; it serves only to recognize wellness awareness during that month. The resolution was referred to the Health Committee and later laid on the table, indicating it did not advance further in the legislative process. This type of resolution is purely commemorative with no policy impact.

Maddy summaryHB 734 amends Pennsylvania's 1951 Landlord and Tenant Act to update landlord responsibilities in tenement and multiple-dwelling buildings. It specifically adds new requirements for landlords when relocating tenants, such as providing relocation assistance during building repairs or renovations. The bill directly affects landlords in older apartment buildings and tenants who may need to move due to property improvements or maintenance. These changes clarify and strengthen existing protections for renters in multi-unit housing.

Maddy summaryHB 1326 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to change how school districts calculate student travel distances for attendance purposes and requires standardized reporting of pupil transportation data. It directly affects school districts by altering the method for measuring distance to determine if a student qualifies for transportation under attendance rules, and it impacts state funding by mandating specific data collection for reimbursement between districts and the Commonwealth. The bill establishes clear requirements for districts to track and submit transportation information, ensuring consistent data for state funding decisions. This policy change aims to standardize processes related to student transportation eligibility and funding allocation.

Maddy summaryHB 1402 reduces the maximum fee for reviewing teacher certification applications under Pennsylvania's Public School Code to $50. It also creates a special exemption for military service members, veterans, and their spouses, requiring them to pay no more than $10 for certification fees and $25 for professional discipline fees. These changes directly affect educators seeking or maintaining teaching credentials in Pennsylvania public schools. The bill modifies existing sections of the 1949 Public School Code to implement these specific fee caps and exemptions.

Maddy summaryHB 191 updates Pennsylvania's school safety requirements by replacing outdated rules about CPR and defibrillator training. It repeals old teacher certification requirements for CPR instruction and school health service rules about automatic external defibrillators (AEDs). The bill now mandates new CPR and AED training for school staff, sets specific standards for AED availability and placement in schools, and establishes an official AED program. This directly affects public schools, teachers, and school health personnel by requiring updated emergency response protocols. The bill focuses on modernizing school health safety procedures rather than changing other aspects of education.

Maddy summaryHB 967 amends Pennsylvania's 1968 Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law by adding or refining specific definitions within the statute. This definitional update directly affects consumers and businesses operating under the law, as clearer definitions help determine what constitutes unfair trade practices. The bill does not introduce new prohibitions or penalties but clarifies existing legal terms to improve application of the law. As a procedural amendment focused solely on definitions, it does not create new policy requirements or alter substantive protections.

Maddy summaryHB 1088 amends Pennsylvania's 1921 Insurance Company Law to require casualty insurance policies to cover blood pressure monitors. This directly affects policyholders who rely on these devices for managing health conditions like hypertension, ensuring they are not excluded from standard coverage. The bill adds a specific provision mandating insurers to include blood pressure monitors as covered items under casualty insurance policies. It changes insurer obligations without altering broader policy terms, focusing on making a common medical device accessible through existing insurance frameworks.

Maddy summaryHB 1250 amends Pennsylvania's Manufactured Home Community Rights Act to protect residents in manufactured home communities. It requires community owners to allow resident associations and group meetings, and mandates 90-day advance notice for rent increases. The bill caps annual rent hikes at 2-4% (based on regional inflation data), prohibits increases during unresolved health/safety violations, and requires clear disclosure of all fees in leases. These changes directly affect approximately 150,000 manufactured home residents and community owners across Pennsylvania, aiming to prevent exploitative rent practices and stabilize housing costs.

Maddy summaryHB 1622 would amend Pennsylvania's criminal code to allow civil lawsuits against firearm owners who fail to secure their guns properly, leading to loss or theft. This bill directly affects gun owners who do not take reasonable steps to prevent unauthorized access or theft of their firearms. The key provision creates a legal pathway for victims of gun-related harm to seek compensation from the owner if the gun was lost or stolen due to inadequate security. The bill is currently pending in the Judiciary Committee after being referred on June 17, 2025, and has not yet been voted on or passed.