Rep. Carol Kazeem

Maddy summaryHB 1022 amends Pennsylvania's Human Services Code to clarify when licensed facilities (like childcare centers or care homes) can face license refusal, revocation, or penalties. It adds specific new violations that trigger these actions, including repeated breaches of children's rights, improper use of restraints, or failures in staff background checks and training. The bill also expands penalties to allow fines against facilities and mandates disciplinary action against staff responsible for violations. Facilities must receive written notice explaining the reason for any license denial, revocation, or penalty. The changes take effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 1021 replaces Pennsylvania's current requirement for separate rooms for juvenile offenders awaiting trial with a new system mandating counties to provide dedicated rooms or buildings exclusively for juvenile confinement, detention, and care. It requires county commissioners to establish a board of managers for each facility, composed of county officials and six private citizens with expertise in juvenile development, mental health, and substance use disorders. The board oversees operations, appoints a superintendent, and reports annually to county officials, while counties fund all expenses through annual appropriations. This bill directly affects all Pennsylvania counties, particularly those previously governed by the repealed provisions for second-class A counties. The law focuses on structural changes to juvenile detention facilities rather than altering sentencing or legal procedures.

Maddy summaryHB 1029 amends Pennsylvania's 1937 Labor Relations Act to clarify worker protections and union election processes. It defines "employe" more broadly (excluding independent contractors) and bans agreements that prevent workers from joining class or collective lawsuits. Employers must post notices about labor rights and provide detailed voter lists for union elections within two business days of a board order. The bill also adds new unfair labor practices, including coercing workers to sign agreements that limit their right to pursue collective claims. These changes directly affect Pennsylvania workers, employers, and labor organizations involved in union representation efforts.

Maddy summaryHB 1034 amends Pennsylvania's 1951 Landlord and Tenant Act to clarify utility payment rules for renters. It requires landlords who collect water, sewer, gas, or electricity payments directly from tenants to include a written notice in the lease about this obligation and provide a copy of the utility bill to the tenant within five days of a written request. The bill directly affects residential tenants and landlords in Pennsylvania rental agreements. Key provisions ensure transparency by mandating written notice and timely access to billing information, with the law taking effect 90 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 438 amends Pennsylvania's Local Tax Collection Law to allow taxpayers to remove a deceased spouse's name from real estate tax bills. It directly affects homeowners who are now required to submit a written request and a death certificate to both their tax collector and county assessment office. The key provision, added as Section 6.1, creates a formal process for this removal without requiring court action. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates March 2025 as "Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania. It formally recognizes the month to raise public awareness about colorectal cancer, emphasizing the importance of early screening and prevention based on current health data. The resolution does not create new laws, allocate funding, or directly affect specific groups - it serves as a symbolic gesture to encourage residents to prioritize screenings and adopt preventive health habits. It aligns with national awareness efforts and references recent medical recommendations for screenings starting at age 45.

Maddy summaryHB 966 amends Pennsylvania's Insurance Company Law of 1921 to strengthen consumer protections in health insurance. It requires insurance companies to pay penalties if over 50% of their denied health claims (excluding administrative denials) are later overturned through internal or external review processes. Penalties start at $50,000 for the first overturned claim and increase to $250,000 per claim for subsequent violations. Collected penalties must fund consumer protection activities, in addition to any other existing penalties. This directly affects health insurers operating in Pennsylvania.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Pennsylvania courts to end long-term parole supervision for eligible individuals who have been under supervision for at least five consecutive years and are at least 40 years old. The process requires a formal petition filed by either the Department of Corrections or the parolee, which must be reviewed by the sentencing court. Courts must evaluate multiple factors including community safety risks, the individual's conduct history, financial hardship, and efficient use of department resources before deciding whether to terminate supervision. The law applies to all parole cases regardless of when the sentence was originally imposed and ensures victims, prosecutors, and relevant parties receive notice and an opportunity to be heard during the review process.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates March 18, 2025, as "National Transit Worker Appreciation Day" in Pennsylvania. It recognizes the work of approximately 16,800 public transit employees (including bus/train operators, drivers, and maintenance staff) who support over 237 million annual trips for Pennsylvania residents. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but encourages the public to thank transit workers for their role in connecting communities to jobs, healthcare, and education. It specifically highlights concerns about safety risks transit workers face, including recent incidents of violence. The resolution is symbolic and non-binding, limited to Pennsylvania's House of Representatives.

Maddy summaryHB 831 establishes a 24-month moratorium on transferring hospital ownership to for-profit entities in Pennsylvania. It directly affects hospitals and health systems seeking to change ownership structures, pausing approvals for such transactions. The bill also requires the Joint State Government Commission to study for-profit hospital ownership patterns, including causes for their rise, cost/benefit comparisons with non-profits, and policy recommendations. The Commission must issue a report to state leaders within 18 months of the law's effective date. The moratorium and study requirements expire 24 months after the bill takes effect.