Rep. Melissa Shusterman

Maddy summaryHB 77 updates Pennsylvania's food protection laws to align with the 2022 FDA Food Code. It requires retail food facilities (like restaurants and grocery stores) to prominently display employee allergy awareness posters detailing major allergens and symptoms, and to include allergen information on menus or written materials for customers. The bill also revises definitions of "potentially hazardous food" and mandates that the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture adopt the FDA Food Code standards, with updates published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

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 549 requires Pennsylvania medical marijuana grower/processors and dispensaries to maintain continuous video surveillance and retain recordings for at least 180 days. This applies to all licensed businesses under the state's medical marijuana program, including those growing, processing, and dispensing marijuana. The bill adds this security and record-keeping requirement to existing regulations without changing other aspects of the program. It aims to improve oversight and provide documented evidence for investigations or legal purposes.

Maddy summaryHB 556 bans Pennsylvania public officials and employees from accepting free transportation, lodging, hospitality, cash, or gifts from people or organizations with business ties to their government role - such as contractors, lobbyists, or regulated entities. It directly affects state legislators, agency staff, and other public officials whose duties could be influenced by such gifts. Key provisions require officials to report certain exceptions (like academic awards or light refreshments at group events) while prohibiting gifts that could create conflicts of interest. The bill aims to strengthen ethics rules by clarifying what constitutes a prohibited gift under Pennsylvania's financial disclosure laws.

Maddy summaryHB 529 establishes a program allowing Pennsylvania municipalities to create "Smart Growth Zoning Districts" in areas with good transit access or existing development (like downtowns or near transit stations). It creates a "Smart Growth Zoning District Fund" that pays municipalities a one-time "density bonus payment" for each new housing unit built in these districts, specifically targeting "attainable housing" for residents earning up to 120% of the area's median income. Municipalities must submit detailed housing plans showing how they will meet local housing needs through these districts. The bill directly affects local governments, developers, and residents seeking affordable housing options in designated zones.

Maddy summaryHB 534 amends Pennsylvania's Election Code to provide braille absentee ballots for voters who are blind, visually impaired, or disabled. It requires these voters to submit a written request to their county board of elections at least 45 days before an election, including specific details like their address and a request for braille format. The Department of State will handle ballot preparation, distribution, and create accessible voting guides in multiple formats. This change directly affects eligible voters with visual or mobility disabilities, ensuring they can independently access absentee ballots.

Maddy summaryHB 542 amends Pennsylvania's Election Code to strengthen campaign finance transparency and accountability. It requires the Secretary of the Commonwealth to biennially adjust contribution limits for candidates and political committees, and adds detailed definitions clarifying what constitutes campaign expenditures, independent spending, and corporate political activity. The bill mandates that businesses disclose political contributions and expenditures, including those by "chief executive officers" of corporations, and defines "affiliate" committees to prevent circumventing contribution rules. These changes directly affect candidates, political committees, corporations, and business entities engaging in election-related spending within Pennsylvania.

Maddy summaryHR 57 is a non-binding House Resolution designating June 2025 as "Gun Violence Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania. It does not create new laws or policies but formally recognizes gun violence as a public safety and health issue through symbolic acknowledgment. The resolution memorializes lives lost to gun violence in the Commonwealth, using statistics from the preamble to highlight the issue's severity. As a commemorative resolution, it has no enforcement mechanism or direct impact on residents, officials, or gun laws.

Maddy summaryHR 12 is a ceremonial resolution recognizing February 2025 as "Black History Month" in Pennsylvania. It does not create new laws or policies but formally acknowledges the month through the House of Representatives. The resolution highlights the historical origins of Black History Month, including Dr. Carter Godwin Woodson's founding of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, and notes the 2025 theme focused on African Americans and labor. This resolution directly affects Pennsylvania residents by designating the month for commemoration, without altering any legal rights or obligations.