Rep. Melissa Shusterman

Maddy summaryHB 668 would allow Pennsylvania to join the Counseling Compact, an existing agreement between states. This would let licensed counselors from other participating states practice in Pennsylvania more easily, and allow Pennsylvania counselors to practice in those states without obtaining separate licenses. The bill's key mechanism is adopting the standard compact form, creating a streamlined process for cross-state counseling licensure without changing existing state licensing requirements.

Maddy summaryHouse Resolution 513 directs the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to study how outdated hospital regulations, which have not been updated in nearly 40 years, financially affect hospitals across Pennsylvania. The study will examine the number of overlapping rules, the administrative costs hospitals incur to comply, and the resources required to manage complex oversight structures. To assist with this review, the committee will form an advisory group that includes representatives from state agencies and hospitals of various types, including rural, urban, and suburban facilities. The committee is required to submit a report with its findings and recommendations within 12 months to relevant legislative leaders.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House Resolution formally recognizes the month of May 2026 as "Asian-American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month" within the state. The measure encourages residents to learn about and celebrate the history and contributions of Asian-American and Pacific Islander communities. It serves as a symbolic designation rather than establishing new laws, funding, or regulatory requirements.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House Resolution designates the week of May 10 through 19, 2026, as "Go Public Gardens Days" to encourage residents to visit public gardens. The measure directly affects botanical gardens, zoos, historical homes, parks, and other horticultural organizations across the state. By officially recognizing this period, the resolution aims to highlight the economic and community value of these spaces without mandating any specific actions or spending. The text describes public gardens as important destinations for recreation, education, and conservation that support thousands of jobs and millions of visitors annually.

Maddy summaryHB 2218 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to require all school entities (including districts, charter schools, cyber charters, and career schools) to develop and implement a written comprehensive school counseling plan. The bill mandates that each plan, created by certified school counselors, must include annual reviews, K-12 systemic alignment, grade-level and building-specific strategies, and integration with existing student services plans. Key provisions define "direct services" (like individual counseling and classroom instruction) and "indirect services" (such as parent consultations), requiring plans to guide students in academic, career, and social-emotional development. The law establishes specific components for the plan - foundation, management, delivery, and accountability - without specifying funding or new programs.

Maddy summaryHB 2176 would require Pennsylvania public and nonpublic schools to integrate social media literacy into their curriculum. The bill mandates that state academic standards include specific lessons on social media's mental, psychological, and physical impacts on students, its effects on learning, safe online behavior (including identifying cyberbullying and predatory activity), and personal device security. The Department of Education must develop educational materials and provide professional development for teachers on these topics. This bill directly affects all Pennsylvania schools, including public school districts, charter schools, and nonpublic schools, by adding concrete requirements to student learning standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Pennsylvania public schools to adopt or update a bullying policy that includes clear disciplinary consequences for bullying incidents and designates a staff member to handle reports. Schools must notify parents within five days of a bullying or cyberbullying incident while following federal privacy laws. The policy may also include prevention and intervention programs, and the bill clarifies that bullying involves repeated, severe acts in a school setting that disrupt education or create a threatening environment. Cyberbullying is specifically defined as bullying occurring via electronic devices during school hours.

Maddy summaryHB 2042 amends the existing Safety in Youth Sports Act to update definitions related to concussions and improve prevention measures for traumatic brain injuries in youth sports. It directly affects youth athletes, coaches, and sports organizations by requiring clearer guidelines for identifying and managing head injuries. Key provisions include revising terminology for consistency and strengthening protocols for concussion prevention and response. The bill focuses on concrete policy changes to enhance safety standards under the current law. It was recently referred to the Health committee for further review.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania laws to allow condominium owners, cooperative members, and planned community residents to install personal electric vehicle charging stations in their parking spaces or approved common areas. It mandates that property management associations cannot ban these installations and must review applications within 60 days, while still permitting reasonable rules regarding architectural standards and safety. The legislation clarifies that the unit owner bears all costs for installation, electricity, and potential damage, and requires the station to be installed by a certified electrician with specific training. Additionally, the bill establishes that the charging station remains the owner's personal property, which they must remove or transfer to a buyer when selling their unit, and requires liability insurance coverage of at least $1,000,000.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution honors the memory of five law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty in 2025. It specifically names Patrolman Andrew Duarte and Police Officers Mark Baker, Cody Becker, Isaiah Emenheiser, and Andy Chan, listing their departments and dates of death. The measure directs the Pennsylvania House of Representatives to express sympathy to the families and friends of these fallen officers. As a commemorative resolution, it does not create new laws or change existing policies.