Rep. Lisa Borowski

Maddy summaryHB 237 expands Pennsylvania's death benefits for first responders' families to include cases where a firefighter, officer, or emergency worker dies from mental health conditions linked to on-duty trauma. It creates a legal presumption of line-of-duty death if the person died while influenced by a diagnosed psychiatric disorder from traumatic events (like crime scenes or mass casualties) or within 45 days of such exposure with an undiagnosed condition. The bill adds specific definitions for "personal injury sustained in the line of duty" to include PTSD and related disorders, and clarifies that traumatic events cover incidents involving serious injury, minors, or life threats. Benefits apply retroactively to deaths occurring on or after January 1, 2019, regardless of when the trauma happened.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House resolution (HR 157) urges the U.S. Congress to pass H.R. 3023 (or similar legislation) during the 119th Congress, which would require the Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense to provide stellate ganglion block (SGB) therapy to veterans and military members with PTSD. SGB is a low-risk neck injection procedure that targets nerves controlling stress responses, potentially alleviating symptoms like anxiety and hyperarousal. The resolution cites that 23% of recent veterans and 12-15% of older veterans have PTSD diagnoses, with current treatments helping only 40% of patients. It emphasizes SGB's decades-long use and support from veterans' organizations as a potential treatment option.

Maddy summaryHB 2151 requires Pennsylvania's Center for Local Government Services to create a model zoning ordinance for data centers within six months. The model must include specific rules like building size limits, minimum distances from residential areas, landscape buffers, noise restrictions, and requirements for water/energy use. This helps local governments (townships, boroughs, cities) regulate data center development to address community concerns. Municipalities can request the Center's assistance when updating zoning rules for data centers, and the model must be updated annually.

Maddy summaryHB 2150 requires data centers in Pennsylvania to annually report their energy and water usage, including monthly consumption, energy sources, water sources, efficiency measures, and waste heat recovery, starting July 1, 2027. Data centers must submit detailed reports to the Department of Environmental Protection, covering specifics like peak energy use, water for cooling, and future projections. Non-compliant data centers face daily penalties of $10,000 until reports are submitted, with collected fines funding low-income energy assistance programs. The Department will publish an annual summary of consumption trends and environmental impacts for public and legislative review.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands death benefit eligibility in Pennsylvania for firefighters who die from cancer linked to their work. To qualify, a firefighter must have served at least four years, had direct exposure to a carcinogen, and passed a pre-service physical exam showing no signs of cancer. The law presumes these deaths occurred while performing official duties, allowing their families to receive financial support under the existing Emergency and Law Enforcement Personnel Death Benefits Act. The changes will take effect 60 days after the bill is signed into law.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires emergency medical services providers in Pennsylvania, including paramedics and nurses, to complete specific training on caring for individuals with dementia. The Department of Health must create a program covering how to communicate effectively with these patients, manage behavioral symptoms, and identify signs of abuse. New providers will need three hours of initial training, while all providers must complete one hour of continuing education annually. Those who already finished similar training within the last 18 months will be exempt from the initial requirement but must still take the annual course.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Pesticide Control Act to clarify that the state's pesticide regulations override any conflicting local laws or ordinances. It allows the state secretary to delegate enforcement duties to designated employees and establishes that pesticide registration, sale, and use are matters of statewide concern. While municipalities generally cannot regulate pesticides, the bill creates a specific exception that permits cities with a population density of at least 300 people per square mile to ban commercial pesticide applications on private property. Additionally, the Department of Community and Economic Development must create a sample ordinance within 120 days to help municipalities implement this new authority.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes Pennsylvania to join the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact, a legal agreement designed to allow licensed respiratory therapists to practice in other member states without needing separate licenses for each location. The legislation establishes a framework where a therapist's home state retains primary regulatory authority while granting temporary practice privileges in other states to improve patient access and support military families. Key provisions include creating a central data system to track licenses, defining strict rules for handling disciplinary actions across state lines, and setting requirements for criminal background checks and jurisprudence exams. By adopting this compact, the state aims to streamline administrative processes and address workforce shortages while maintaining public safety standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates April 2026 as "Donate Life Month" and April 10, 2026, as "Blue and Green Day" in Pennsylvania to raise awareness about organ and tissue donation. The resolution does not change laws or create new programs but serves as a symbolic gesture to encourage public support for donation efforts. It highlights Pennsylvania's existing donation statistics and the work of state health agencies and organ procurement organizations in promoting donor registration. The measure is intended to increase visibility for organ donation awareness campaigns during the designated month and day.

Maddy summaryHR 390 is a ceremonial resolution recognizing March 2026 as "Women's History Month" in Pennsylvania. It does not create new laws or policies but formally acknowledges women's historical contributions to Pennsylvania and the nation through symbolic recognition. The resolution invites all Pennsylvanians to reflect on women's economic, cultural, and social roles, as detailed in the preamble's historical context. This is a non-binding gesture with no direct impact on specific groups or funding.