Rep. Chris Pielli

Maddy summaryHB 596, the Biometric Identifier Signage Act, requires commercial establishments like retail stores, restaurants, and hotels to display clear, plain-language signs at customer entrances if they collect biometric data (such as fingerprints, facial scans, or voiceprints). The bill prohibits businesses from selling, leasing, or profiting from this data and allows customers to sue for violations, with damages ranging from $500 for minor issues to $5,000 for intentional violations, plus attorney fees. It exempts financial institutions and certain video recordings not used for identification. The law takes effect 180 days after passage.

Maddy summaryHB 592 amends Pennsylvania law to require that full-time waterways conservation officers (who enforce fishing and boating regulations) be paid at the same scale as Pennsylvania State Police officers. The bill directly affects these conservation officers by changing their compensation classification under the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. It specifies that their pay must align with State Police classifications, rather than existing commission pay scales. The change applies to compensation earned 60 days after the bill's effective date. This is a procedural pay adjustment, not a change to enforcement duties or waterway regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 594 amends Pennsylvania's Human Relations Act to regulate the use of AI-driven hiring tools. It requires employers using automated employment decision tools (like AI resume screeners) to notify job applicants 10 days before interviews, explain how the tool works, and obtain explicit consent. Employers must also conduct annual bias audits to check for unfair discrimination against protected groups and publicly post audit summaries online. Violations could result in civil penalties of up to $1,500 for repeat offenses. This directly affects all Pennsylvania employers and employment agencies using such technology in hiring, promotion, or compensation decisions.

Maddy summaryHB 588 amends Pennsylvania's Professional Nursing Law to require registered nurses and licensed practical nurses to complete one hour of mandatory continuing education focused on older adult abuse recognition and reporting during each biennial license renewal period. This requirement applies to all license renewals (except initial licensure) and includes specific documentation rules, such as retaining certificates for five years and submitting them upon request. Failure to complete this hour may delay license renewal, trigger disciplinary action under existing penalties, or require remediation within six months. The bill directly affects nursing license holders in Pennsylvania seeking renewal, reinstatement, or reactivation of their licenses.

Maddy summaryHB 578 sets a new maximum contaminant level of 10 parts per trillion for specific PFAS chemicals (including PFOA and PFOS) in public drinking water systems across Pennsylvania. This directly affects municipal water providers and the residents who rely on tap water, requiring them to meet this stricter standard. The bill establishes this limit unless federal or state agencies set a higher standard, in which case those standards would take precedence. Water systems must comply with this level, and the Department of Environmental Protection must publish any federal/state standards in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 574 amends Pennsylvania's Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act to update definitions and establish emergency water protections. It specifically adds PFAS chemicals (like PFOA and PFOS) to the definition of "hazardous substance" and creates a new designation for "special drinking water resource-impacted communities" when groundwater or surface water exceeds 10 parts per trillion of PFAS over a 12-month average or contains other pollutants threatening public water supplies. The bill grants the Governor authority to declare such communities and set immediate emergency water standards and cleanup requirements without waiting for full site remediation. This directly affects municipalities with contaminated water sources, particularly those dealing with PFAS contamination requiring urgent public health responses. The changes aim to streamline emergency actions for communities facing immediate drinking water risks from hazardous substances.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds music therapy to Pennsylvania's existing licensing framework for mental health professionals. It creates a new "licensed professional music therapist" category and defines "practice of music therapy" to include clinically proven techniques like music improvisation, songwriting, and music-based assessments. The State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists, Professional Counselors, and Professional Music Therapists will regulate this new license. It directly affects individuals who provide music therapy services independently, requiring them to hold this specific license while clarifying that existing healthcare providers (like hospitals or schools) aren't required to obtain it for their employment.

Maddy summaryHB 551, the "Support Through Loss Act," requires employers with five or more employees in Pennsylvania to provide 24 hours of paid leave annually for employees experiencing pregnancy loss or related reproductive health events. It covers specific situations like pregnancy loss, failed fertility treatments (including assisted reproductive technology), adoption issues, or fertility-related diagnoses, as well as leave to care for a spouse or domestic partner in these circumstances. Employers must post notices about the policy and are prohibited from retaliating against employees who use this leave or discriminating based on its use. The bill takes effect for all covered employers starting January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 552 creates three public alert systems in Pennsylvania: the Amber Alert for abducted children, the Missing Endangered Person Advisory System for missing individuals at special risk (e.g., due to health conditions), and the Green Alert for veterans-at-risk (veterans with service-related health conditions facing harm). The Pennsylvania State Police must establish and maintain these systems, coordinate with other jurisdictions, and use a $25 fee assessed on certain convictions (like kidnapping or unlawful restraint) to fund them. The bill also prohibits false alerts with a $5,000 civil penalty and ensures law enforcement can still independently notify the public. It directly affects the State Police, law enforcement agencies, and individuals convicted of specified crimes.

Maddy summaryHB 555 amends Pennsylvania's Election Code to align state campaign contribution limits with federal standards under 52 U.S.C. § 30116. It defines "valuable thing" to clarify in-kind contributions (like volunteer services, food under $250, or modest property use) that do not count toward reporting limits. The bill requires the Secretary of the Commonwealth to certify and publish these federal-based limits annually. This affects candidates, political committees, and campaign donors in Pennsylvania elections, effective January 1, 2026.