Rep. Gina Curry

Maddy summaryHB 1055 creates a new criminal offense in Pennsylvania for threatening healthcare workers, specifically targeting threats intended to interfere with their duties. It defines the crime as knowingly making oral/written threats against healthcare practitioners, technicians, or hospital security officers, with penalties escalating from a minor violation for a first offense to a third-degree misdemeanor for repeat offenses. The law requires healthcare facilities to post clear notices about this offense at all public entrances, and a person cannot be convicted if the notice wasn’t displayed (unless they knew about the offense). This bill directly affects anyone making threats against covered healthcare workers in Pennsylvania, aiming to protect them from intimidation during work.

Maddy summaryHB 60 amends Pennsylvania's Pharmacy Act to clarify rules for transferring prescriptions between pharmacies. It specifies that prescriptions can only be transferred if the drug is not excluded by federal law, specifically referencing 21 CFR 1306.08 (which governs electronic prescriptions). This change directly affects pharmacies that transfer prescriptions, ensuring state procedures align with federal electronic prescription requirements. The bill updates existing permit rules for pharmacies but does not alter who qualifies for a pharmacy permit.

Maddy summaryHB 1049 establishes Pennsylvania's Second Stage Loan Program, which provides loan guarantees to eligible commercial lenders (like banks) for loans to life sciences, advanced technology, and manufacturing businesses located in the state. To qualify, borrowers must have operated for at least two years, be located within the lender's service area, and demonstrate job creation or retention (e.g., new or retained employees). The program guarantees 50% of a loan's principal for the first two years, reducing to 25% for years three through seven, with lenders required to exhaust all other remedies before claiming under the guarantee. This directly affects participating lenders, their business clients in targeted sectors, and Pennsylvania's economic development goals.

Maddy summaryHB 118 amends Pennsylvania's Child Labor Act to increase penalties for employers violating child labor laws. It raises the fine for first-time violations from $500 to $1,000 per violation and increases penalties for repeat offenses to $3,000 per violation or up to 10 days in jail. The bill directly affects employers who hire minors in prohibited work situations. These changes are concrete policy adjustments to enforcement, not new work restrictions. The amendment takes effect 30 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 535 bans Pennsylvania health insurers from setting annual or lifetime dollar limits on core health benefits for enrollees, whether services are provided by in-network or out-of-network providers. It applies to all individual and group health insurance policies (excluding specific types like Medicare supplements or dental/vision-only plans) and prohibits limits on benefits that were already covered without such caps in 2025 policies. The Insurance Department can enforce this through fines up to $5,000 per violation (or $10,000 for willful violations), with annual caps of $500,000 for insurers. The law does not require coverage of specific benefits but eliminates existing dollar limit practices for covered services.

Maddy summaryHB 618, the Health Insurance Access Protection Act, prohibits health insurers from denying coverage or charging higher premiums based on a person's health condition, including preexisting conditions. This law applies to both individual and group health insurance policies, protecting enrollees and their dependents from discrimination in enrollment or pricing. The Insurance Department and Commissioner are tasked with enforcing these rules, and the bill includes penalties for insurers that violate the prohibitions.

Maddy summaryHB 404 amends Pennsylvania's Insurance Company Law to extend health insurance coverage for children under family policies. It requires policies to cover dependent children up to age 26 (previously 19) and prohibits insurers from denying or restricting coverage based on a child's financial dependency, residency, marital status, school enrollment, or employment. The bill also allows group health plans to extend coverage for adult children up to age 29 if they meet specific conditions, such as not being married, having no dependents, and residing in Pennsylvania or attending school full-time. This affects all health insurance policies sold in Pennsylvania that provide dependent child coverage.

Maddy summaryHB 1009 requires auto insurers to notify Pennsylvania's Department of Transportation within 10 days of issuing new insurance policies specifically used as proof of financial responsibility. This directly affects insurers and drivers who need to meet the state's minimum coverage requirements for vehicle operation. The bill adds a new provision to vehicle law mandating this reporting, effective 60 days after enactment. It focuses on streamlining proof of financial responsibility verification without changing coverage requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 1008 updates Pennsylvania's vehicle registration renewal process by requiring the state Department of Motor Vehicles to send renewal notices 60 days before expiration, plus weekly text or email reminders (if contact info is on file) until renewal is completed. It applies to all vehicle owners in Pennsylvania, with commercial vehicles additionally requiring self-certification of safety inspections during renewal. The bill specifies that failing to receive a notice does not excuse the owner from renewing registration on time. This procedural change aims to reduce expired registrations through clearer communication, effective 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates April 13-19, 2025, as "National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week" in Pennsylvania. It honors 911 dispatchers (also called public safety telecommunicators) who serve as the first point of contact during emergencies and support emergency responders. The resolution recognizes their critical role in ensuring community safety through their professionalism and dedication during high-pressure situations. As a ceremonial resolution, it does not create new laws or policies.