Rep. Melissa Shusterman

Maddy summaryHB 1241 amends Pennsylvania's Auctioneer Licensing Act to require auction companies selling horses to verify and publicly post identifying information (microchip numbers, tattoos, or brands) on their website before listing. It mandates a 72-hour waiting period after posting before a horse can be offered for sale, and requires auction companies to maintain detailed records of compliance for one year. This bill directly affects horse auction companies in Pennsylvania by adding transparency measures to help verify ownership and prevent the sale of stolen horses. The key provisions focus on mandatory identification checks, public online disclosure, and recordkeeping, without changing existing licensing requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 1266 requires Pennsylvania hospitals to publicly post detailed pricing information for standard medical services on their websites within six months of the law taking effect. Hospitals must list the full price (gross charge), negotiated prices for each insurance company (with the insurer's name), the minimum and maximum negotiated prices across all insurers, and the cash price for self-pay patients, along with service descriptions and standard billing codes. This transparency requirement applies to all hospitals and hospital systems in Pennsylvania and mandates ongoing disclosure even if federal pricing rules are repealed or no longer enforced.

Maddy summaryHB 1248 amends Pennsylvania's ethics and benefits laws for state officials. It prohibits former members of the General Assembly (who were first elected after the bill's effective date) from receiving state pension or health benefits during any calendar year they lobby for compensation before the legislature. The bill also updates financial disclosure requirements for public employees and officials. This restriction applies only to legislators who first took office after the law becomes effective. The bill takes effect in 60 days.

Maddy summaryHB 1255 proposes a constitutional amendment to Pennsylvania's Constitution, adding Section 30 to guarantee employees the right to organize, bargain collectively over wages and working conditions, and protect workplace safety. It specifically prohibits laws that interfere with these rights, including bans on union membership as a condition of employment. The amendment must pass both legislative chambers and then be approved by Pennsylvania voters at the next qualifying election. This would establish a constitutional right affecting all Pennsylvania workers and employers, not just current labor laws.

Maddy summaryHB 1192 establishes a "Mothers Treatment Court Pilot Program" within Pennsylvania's minor courts, targeting mothers involved in the criminal justice system who require substance abuse or mental health treatment. The bill requires the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts to create guidelines within six months for identifying eligible mothers, addressing their specific needs, and collecting data on program outcomes. Counties implementing the program must track participant referrals, charges, outcomes, and report annually - without personally identifiable information - to a public website. This pilot program, initially limited to minor courts, aims to provide court-supervised treatment alternatives rather than standard criminal penalties for qualifying mothers.

Maddy summaryHB 31 proposes a constitutional amendment to replace Pennsylvania's current Legislative Reapportionment Commission - which includes legislative leaders - with an Independent Redistricting Commission. The new commission would draw state legislative and congressional district boundaries after each federal census, following specific redistricting criteria outlined in the amendment. This change aims to reduce partisan influence by removing direct legislative control over redistricting. The bill does not detail the exact criteria but requires the commission to adhere to them when creating district maps.

Maddy summaryHB 156 requires child care centers and family child care homes in Pennsylvania that use fossil-fuel heaters, fireplaces, or have attached garages to install operational carbon monoxide alarms. Specifically, alarms must be placed within 15 feet of these hazards and on every level of the facility, with full compliance needed within 18 months of the law's effective date. The Department of Human Services must notify all affected facilities within 12 months of the law taking effect. This bill amends the Human Services Code to add these safety standards, referencing existing carbon monoxide alarm definitions from the 2013 Carbon Monoxide Alarm Standards Act. It does not change the Department of Labor and Industry's authority under the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act.

Maddy summaryHB 411 adds a new supplemental annuity for eligible Pennsylvania state retirees, starting July 2025. It applies to retirees who retired before July 2, 2001, have specific service credit (excluding certain classifications), and are receiving monthly payments on July 1, 2025. The amount equals a percentage (ranging from 15% to 24.5%) of their July 2025 monthly annuity, based on their retirement date. The benefit is paid automatically unless retirees opt out, and the cost will be funded over 10 years starting July 2026. This bill does not apply to survivors or retirees with certain service types.

Maddy summaryHB 764 establishes the Pennsylvania Fresh Food Financing Initiative, a program that provides grants to support the construction, renovation, or expansion of grocery stores, farmers' markets, and retail food businesses in underserved low-income and moderate-income communities across Pennsylvania. The initiative prioritizes projects located in, owned by, or primarily serving Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) communities, as defined by population data from the Center for Rural Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture will administer the program, develop eligibility guidelines, and ensure grants promote local food systems, job creation, and the use of Pennsylvania agricultural products. The bill also creates a dedicated "Fresh Food Financing Initiative Restricted Account" to hold program funds.

Maddy summaryHB 1179, the Genetic Materials Privacy and Compensation Act, requires genetic testing entities (including medical facilities, genealogy services, and law enforcement) to clearly disclose to individuals what genetic data they collect, how it may be used, and with which third parties it will be shared. The bill mandates "prominent disclosure" in plain language before data collection, prohibiting misleading claims about data privacy or usage. It specifically requires testing entities to obtain explicit consent before sharing genetic material with third parties. The law directly affects individuals using genetic tests and the companies providing those services, focusing on transparency rather than compensation mechanisms.