Rep. Jenn O'Mara

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution designates May 2025 as "Nurses Month" in Pennsylvania to honor the contributions of nurses across the state. It highlights nurses' critical roles during the pandemic, their daily patient care responsibilities, and their impact on community health without creating new legal requirements or funding. The resolution serves as a symbolic gesture of appreciation for the nursing profession, which includes registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and other specialized roles.

Maddy summaryHB 502 establishes the Reliable Energy Siting and Electric Transition Board within the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. This board is tasked with creating a statewide process for siting large-scale electric generation and energy storage facilities (25+ megawatts for generators, 10+ megawatts for storage). Companies proposing such facilities can seek a "certificate of reliable energy supply" from the board. This certificate aims to ensure efficient development of new energy resources while protecting human health, safety, and the environment. The board comprises representatives from state agencies, labor, and industry, and has the authority to approve or deny applications for these certificates.

Maddy summaryHB 503 establishes the Pennsylvania Climate Emissions Reduction (PACER) Program, creating a state-run "cap-and-invest" system to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from the power sector. The program requires the Department of Environmental Protection to conduct Pennsylvania-run auctions for CO2 allowances, with specific rules for eligible participants, such as electricity generators and financial institutions. Revenue from these auctions will be directed into several designated accounts, including those for consumer protection, energy transformation, workforce enhancement, and low-income support. Upon the program's establishment, Pennsylvania would cease participation in other carbon auction programs related to the electric generation sector.

Maddy summaryHB 1223 amends Pennsylvania's Podiatry Practice Act to remove a specific citizenship requirement from the application process for podiatry licenses. The bill deletes language requiring applicants to prove U.S. citizenship or intent to become a citizen, while keeping all other requirements intact (such as graduation from an accredited school, age, moral character, and residency). This change directly affects future applicants seeking podiatry licensure in Pennsylvania by simplifying one part of their application documentation. The amendment modifies Section 4 of the existing law without altering practice standards or patient care requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 1281 establishes clear duties for Pennsylvania law enforcement, prosecutors, and courts (referred to as "certifying agencies") when processing certification forms required for U visas. The bill directly affects crime victims seeking U visas (which require certification that they were helpful to investigations), their legal representatives, and the agencies handling these requests. Key provisions require certifying officials to respond to petitions, develop and publicly post a detailed processing protocol (including online), and maintain records of all certifications. This bill does not change U visa eligibility but standardizes how Pennsylvania agencies handle the certification process for victims of qualifying crimes.

Maddy summaryHB 1279 requires Pennsylvania colleges and universities, as well as private licensed schools, to implement evidence-based education programs on sexual misconduct (including consent, bystander intervention, and risk prevention) for all students and staff. The bill mandates staff training, establishes confidential resource advisors for victims, and requires institutions to create online reporting systems and conduct annual climate surveys. It also sets data reporting requirements for schools to track incidents, creates a Task Force on Postsecondary Sexual Misconduct, and provides academic waivers for student victims to avoid penalties related to incidents. These provisions aim to standardize prevention, response, and support across institutions.

Maddy summaryHB 1229 amends Pennsylvania's 1931 Barbers' License Law to add citizenship and residency requirements for members of the State Board of Barber Examiners. Specifically, it requires that all six professional barber board members must be U.S. citizens and Pennsylvania residents, in addition to already needing to be registered barbers with five years of practice. This change affects the composition of the board that oversees barber licensing and regulation, not the licensing process itself. The bill is a minor procedural update to board membership qualifications and has not yet been enacted.

Maddy summaryHB 1230 amends Pennsylvania's Real Estate Appraisers Certification Act to require that all members of the State Board of Certified Real Estate Appraisers have resided in Pennsylvania for at least two years prior to appointment. This change directly affects the board's membership selection process, which oversees the certification of real estate appraisers. The bill does not alter the board's composition (six appraisers, two evaluators, and two public members) but adds the residency requirement and clarifies that a member can serve as both an appraiser and evaluator if their appointment specifies the role. The amendment takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 1226 amends Pennsylvania's Massage Therapy Law (2008) by adding a citizenship requirement for members of the State Board of Massage Therapy. The bill changes Section 3(a) to specify that board members must be "citizens of the United States" in addition to being Pennsylvania residents for at least five years. This procedural update modifies the eligibility criteria for the 11-member board that oversees massage therapy licensure and discipline. The change directly affects who can serve on the board but does not alter licensing fees, practice standards, or disciplinary procedures. The bill requires board members to meet this new citizenship requirement upon appointment.

Maddy summaryHB 1227 amends Pennsylvania's Crane Operator Licensure Act to change the term limits for members of the State Board of Crane Operators. It adds a provision stating that professional and public board members "shall not be eligible to hold more than two consecutive terms," and clarifies that members must be "citizens of the United States and residents of this Commonwealth." This bill directly affects the appointment and tenure of individuals serving on the board, which oversees crane operator licensing. The changes are procedural, not substantive, and do not alter licensing requirements, fees, or safety standards for crane operators.