Rep. Sean Dougherty

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates March 2026 as "National Social Work Month" in Pennsylvania. It symbolically recognizes the contributions of social workers who support vulnerable populations, address mental health needs, and advocate for policies like minimum wage and poverty reduction. The resolution has no binding effect - it encourages Pennsylvanians to join the National Association of Social Workers in celebrating the profession during that month. It does not create new policies, allocate funding, or directly affect any specific group.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Construction Code Act to create an Accessibility Advisory Board that will review and recommend changes to accessibility standards for buildings. The 11-member board includes people with disabilities, industry representatives, and public members who will evaluate new accessibility code sections based on public health, economic impact, and technical feasibility. The board will conduct a formal review process starting with the 2024 ICC codes, including public comment periods and hearings before making recommendations. Additionally, the bill establishes a dedicated funding account for the board's administrative operations and updates definitions related to accessibility codes within the state's construction regulations.

Maddy summaryHouse Resolution 395 designates March 17, 2026, as "St. Patrick's Day" in Pennsylvania. It formally celebrates the historical contributions of Irish Americans to the founding of the United States, including their roles in the Revolutionary War and the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The resolution is a symbolic gesture by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives to honor Irish American heritage and history.

Maddy summaryHB 501 amends Pennsylvania's Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act to update definitions and clarify requirements for renewable energy compliance. It specifically adds "advanced reactor" (including small modular reactors) to eligible energy sources, refines criteria for low-impact hydropower, and updates definitions for biomass, biogas, and alternative energy credits. The bill affects electric utilities required to meet portfolio standards by specifying which energy sources count toward compliance and how credits are calculated. These changes aim to modernize the framework for renewable energy reporting and incentives without altering current percentage targets. The bill is currently in committee review (Environmental & Natural Resource Protection).

Maddy summaryHB 2175 requires businesses using AI chatbots to clearly disclose when consumers are interacting with artificial intelligence, especially for mental health support (e.g., chatbots claiming to treat anxiety or depression). It prohibits deceptive advertising, mandates protection of personal data shared with these tools, and gives Pennsylvania’s Attorney General’s Bureau of Consumer Protection authority to enforce these rules and impose penalties. The law directly affects companies offering AI chatbots that provide health-related advice to Pennsylvania residents. It does not cover scripted tools (like guided meditation) or AI that simply connects users with human professionals.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a fee program for certain nonemergency medical services provided to inmates in Pennsylvania prisons, with fees capped at $1 per service when requested by the inmate. It requires the Department of Corrections to create regulations specifying which medical services incur fees, their amounts, and payment procedures while exempting medical emergencies, chronic care, and preexisting conditions from fees. The legislation also mandates that inmates pay for medical services related to injuries they caused to themselves or other inmates. The Department of Corrections must update existing rules to align with these changes within 180 days of the bill's effective date, which is set to occur 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania bill updates state regulations on cigarette sales and retailer licensing by adding new definitions for youth centers and recreational places. It establishes stricter requirements for new cigarette retailers starting January 1, 2027, prohibiting stores from opening within 500 feet of schools, day-care centers, youth centers, recreational facilities, or other licensed cigarette retailers. The law also clarifies rules for transferring cigarette vending machine licenses and maintains existing requirements for accurate tax reporting and compliance with state pricing rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Pharmacy Audit Integrity and Transparency Act to update definitions for "specialty drug" and "spread pricing" while establishing a new role for a State pharmacy benefits manager. The updated definitions clarify which prescription medications qualify as specialty drugs based on cost, handling requirements, and patient needs, while defining spread pricing as when a pharmacy benefits manager charges more than it pays pharmacists. The bill requires the Department of Human Services to select a single third-party administrator to manage all pharmacy benefits for Medicaid recipients by July 2026, ensuring all managed care organizations contract with this designated manager. The procurement process mandates competitive selection with strict conflict-of-interest disclosures to prevent conflicts between the manager and other healthcare entities like pharmacies, drug distributors, or managed care organizations.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's tax code to establish a new licensing requirement for tobacco retailers, mandating that applicants meet specific criteria to obtain or renew their retail licenses. The law introduces a distance restriction effective January 1, 2027, prohibiting tobacco retailers from operating within 1,000 feet of any school property line, while also requiring applicants to demonstrate adequate premises for revenue protection, maintain accurate tax reporting, and have no history of tax violations. The measure directly affects tobacco retailers and applicants seeking to sell tobacco products in Pennsylvania, adding compliance steps to the existing licensing process.

Maddy summaryHB 554 would authorize Pennsylvania to join the Social Work Licensure Compact, a multi-state agreement that allows social workers licensed in one member state to practice in others without additional exams. The bill provides Pennsylvania with the legal framework to adopt the compact's standard terms, directly affecting licensed social workers seeking to practice across state lines. Key provisions include aligning Pennsylvania's licensing requirements with the compact's uniform standards, simplifying the process for social workers to obtain reciprocal licenses in participating states. This change would streamline professional mobility for social workers while maintaining consistent regulatory oversight.