Rep. Lisa Borowski

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Election Code to set annual contribution limits for political campaigns. It caps individual donations to a single candidate at $10,000 per calendar year and limits political action committee (PAC) contributions to $20,000 per candidate annually. These restrictions apply directly to donors and PACs supporting candidates for any office within Pennsylvania. The changes take effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 224 requires Pennsylvania's Department of Education to create an online comparison tool for higher education institutions. The tool must allow users to search colleges by major and compare high-priority occupations in Pennsylvania, including county-level data on required education, wages, and job demand. Pennsylvania colleges must annually submit relevant data (via existing federal reports) to the Department by January 1st to update the tool. This bill directly affects public and private colleges in Pennsylvania and students seeking education-to-career pathways.

Maddy summaryHB 281 requires health insurance policies in Pennsylvania to cover prostate cancer screenings with no out-of-pocket costs for men aged 40+ who are at high risk. High-risk individuals include those with a family history of prostate cancer, genetic factors, or physician-determined medical need. The law mandates annual coverage for screenings like PSA tests and digital rectal exams, eliminating deductibles or copays. It applies to all health insurance policies issued or renewed 180 days after enactment, with full implementation in 60 days. This directly affects insurers, healthcare providers, and Pennsylvania residents meeting the specified risk criteria.

Maddy summaryHB 210 requires businesses (such as restaurants, hotels, and retail stores) to post signs in visible restroom locations - including stalls, mirrors, and above hand dryers - with the National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline number (1-888-373-7888) and a statement about legal protections for trafficking victims. The signs must be at least 8.5x11 inches, feature the hotline number in bold and large font, and be available in English, Spanish, and any other language required by the Voting Rights Act in the business's county. The Department of Labor and Industry will design and provide the sign template online for businesses to print. This law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill strengthens mental health support for emergency responders in Pennsylvania. It creates new confidentiality protections, prohibiting peer support staff, healthcare providers, or helplines from sharing an emergency responder's mental health information without consent (except in clear danger situations). Specifically for 911 dispatchers, it requires employers to provide free mental health evaluations for PTSD symptoms upon the dispatcher's request or a supervisor's recommendation. If symptoms are identified, the employer must cover treatment until a provider determines the dispatcher can return to full duties, with administrative duty assigned during this period.

Maddy summaryHB 212 amends Pennsylvania's 1990 Charitable Solicitations Act by clarifying the definition of "contribution." It explicitly excludes membership fees for bona fide benefits (like dues for actual membership rights), payments for performances/events, and government grants from being counted as contributions. This change directly affects charitable organizations, fundraisers, and regulators by reducing the scope of activities requiring registration under the law. The bill makes no new requirements but clarifies what is legally considered a "contribution" for regulatory purposes.

Maddy summaryHB 199 creates the State Emergency Supplemental Grant Program to provide additional financial assistance to Pennsylvania residents and businesses after they receive the maximum federal disaster aid. The program, administered by the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, offers grants covering the gap between federal assistance and actual disaster damage (up to $10,000 for federally declared disasters) or a state-determined amount for state-declared disasters. It establishes a dedicated fund financed by an annual $5 million transfer from the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, with funds limited to essential items like housing, medical care, and temporary rental - excluding home improvements, luxury goods, or pre-existing damage.

Maddy summaryHR 10 is a resolution directing Pennsylvania's Joint State Government Commission to study how Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers can be improved to better serve individuals with disabilities. It directly affects over 2 million Pennsylvanians with disabilities who rely on HCBS waivers administered by the Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) and Office of Developmental Programs (ODP), including those excluded from eligibility despite meeting federal disability criteria. The study will examine five key areas: whether waivers meet medical needs, compare payment rates across programs, analyze service menus, address barriers to community living, and investigate low employment rates (16% in integrated settings) for waiver participants. The goal is to identify concrete changes to improve access, affordability, and outcomes for people using these programs.

Maddy summaryHB 195 establishes Pennsylvania's Mental Health Workforce Retention Program under the Human Services Code. It provides $5,000 grants to mental health workers who are Pennsylvania residents and have worked with adolescents for at least seven consecutive years, using a lottery system to select recipients. The program allocates up to $1 million annually from a $5 million appropriation (continuing from the General Fund), with grants exempt from income tax. The program expires on June 30, 2030, and is open to workers in psychology, counseling, social work, or human services.

Maddy summaryHB 194 creates Pennsylvania's Mental Health Professional Student Loan Forgiveness Program, targeting mental health workers serving children and adolescents. It allows eligible residents who complete qualifying degrees (like social work, counseling, or psychology) and work in early childhood-to-adolescence mental health roles to receive up to $22,500 in loan forgiveness after signing a 7-year employment contract. The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) administers the program, requiring applicants to prove residency, partial degree completion, faculty recommendations, and secure employment in the specified field. Participants must maintain employment for seven years or repay the forgiven amount if they leave the field early, fail to comply, or provide false information. This directly affects mental health professionals in Pennsylvania seeking relief from student debt while addressing workforce needs in youth mental health.