Rep. Danielle Otten

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Pennsylvania's procurement laws to allow state agencies to purchase supplies and services from organizations employing people with disabilities without requiring competitive bidding. It mandates that these organizations make a significant contribution to production and prohibits the use of subminimum wage certificates for new contracts, with a complete ban on such certificates planned within two years. Additionally, the law requires work environments to become integrated, meaning employees with disabilities must interact with non-disabled coworkers, customers, and the public, and sets up a system for the state to review compliance and determine fair market prices.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House resolution officially designates November 5, 2024, as Jason Kelce's birthday and December 13, 2024, as Fletcher Cox's birthday. The measure honors the careers of these two former Philadelphia Eagles players, who are recognized for their contributions to the team's success and their extensive charitable work in the community. By formally acknowledging their achievements and retirement, the resolution aims to celebrate their impact on the state and the city of Philadelphia.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a comprehensive study on the growth and changes of short-term rentals across the Commonwealth. The study will examine current market data, existing local ordinances, state laws, and the impacts of these rentals on the economy, affordable housing, and traditional tourism. The commission is required to submit a report with its findings and recommendations to the Governor and various legislative committee chairs within 180 days of the bill's adoption.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates May 10 through 19, 2024, as "Go Public Gardens Days" throughout Pennsylvania. The resolution recognizes the economic and environmental importance of public gardens, which support thousands of jobs and attract millions of visitors annually. It highlights the state's role in agriculture and tourism by acknowledging the efforts of public gardens to conserve natural resources and promote biodiversity. The measure serves as a commemorative gesture to encourage public engagement with these institutions during a specific week in May.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a program called the Linked Deposit Impact Pennsylvania Act to help small, for-profit businesses owned by Pennsylvania residents that employ 100 or fewer people and earn less than $10 million annually. Under the plan, the State Treasurer would place funds with approved local banks, which then agree to lend that same amount to eligible small businesses at a reduced interest rate. The legislation requires banks to follow standard lending practices to check borrower creditworthiness and prohibits them from charging fees for participating in the program. Ultimately, the State Treasurer manages the program by reviewing loan applications and deciding how much money to deposit with each participating bank.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates Passover and Yom Kippur as official days of religious observance within Pennsylvania. It formally recognizes the First Day of Passover and Yom Kippur in state statutes to acknowledge their significance to the Jewish community, which includes over 400,000 residents. However, the legislation explicitly states that these designations do not require employers or the state government to treat these days as legal holidays or to provide paid time off. The changes serve to officially record the dates of these observances without mandating any specific accommodations for workers.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new eligibility rules for nonprofit corporations in Pennsylvania that receive state contracts, funding, or grants. To qualify, these organizations must have at least 200 employees in the state and must not have violated federal fair labor standards or committed unfair labor practices within the last five years. Additionally, the nonprofit's bylaws must require that at least 20% of its governing board consists of current employees elected by the workforce. The law does not apply to healthcare-related state payments like Medicaid reimbursements and will take effect 60 days after passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a consumer data privacy framework that defines the responsibilities of data controllers and processors while setting penalties for non-compliance. It clarifies that controllers are entities that determine how personal information is used and requires them to implement reasonable safeguards to protect collected data. The legislation specifies that publicly available information and certain mathematical representations of data are excluded from the definition of personal information, and it includes exemptions for financial institutions. Additionally, the bill outlines procedures for consumers to opt out of data processing and grants them a 60-day window to correct errors in their data requests.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Pennsylvania government agencies to prioritize using insecticide-free native plants over non-native options when landscaping state facilities. It mandates that these agencies consider the environmental benefits of such plants, including habitat creation for pollinators and reduced water usage, during construction and maintenance projects. Additionally, the law directs the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to create specific pollinator meadows on unused turfgrass areas at Commonwealth facilities. The legislation defines specific terms like "pollinator meadow" and lists various state departments and entities that must follow these new planting guidelines.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands Pennsylvania's existing Wild Resource Conservation Act to specifically include wild native terrestrial invertebrates, such as land-dwelling insects and other non-aquatic animals without backbones, under state protection. It directs the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to investigate these species' populations and habitats, classify them as endangered, threatened, or vulnerable, and establish a formal management system. Once classified, the department will create regulations within two years that limit activities like taking, selling, or transporting these invertebrates to ensure their survival. The law also officially defines these creatures as "wild resources" and sets the bill into effect 60 days after it is signed.