Rep. Pat Gallagher

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates January 23, 2025, as "Maternal Health Awareness Day" in Pennsylvania. It aims to recognize women who die from pregnancy or childbirth complications, highlighting Pennsylvania's maternal mortality rate of 82 deaths per 100,000 live births and the significantly higher rate (163 per 100,000) for Black women. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but seeks to increase public and healthcare awareness about maternal health risks. It references existing efforts like the Maternal Mortality Review Committee established under Act 24 of 2018.

Maddy summaryHB 388 allows Pennsylvania municipalities to repair or replace private sewer and water pipes connecting homes to public systems using public funds or employees, if the work benefits public health or infrastructure. It requires municipalities to prioritize using "American-made" materials for these repairs and to publish a public notice in local media if American-made supplies are unavailable. Property owners can then object within 30 days, providing evidence that American-made materials are available, with objections treated as formal appeals. This directly affects local governments managing infrastructure and property owners whose private pipes may be upgraded.

Maddy summaryHR 20 is a House Resolution directing Pennsylvania's Joint State Government Commission to study truck parking shortages. It requires the Commission to analyze challenges, identify high-demand areas, examine solutions from other states, and develop recommendations to expand parking capacity within 12 months. The study will specifically address the shortage of approximately 4,400 truck parking spaces, which leaves about 1,000 trucks parked on highway shoulders nightly. This resolution affects truck drivers, transportation systems, and communities by focusing on safety, congestion, and infrastructure needs. It does not enact new law but will inform future policy decisions.

Maddy summaryHB 217 amends Pennsylvania's tax code to require businesses to deduct start-up costs (like initial expenses for new ventures) entirely in the year incurred, rather than spreading deductions over multiple years as permitted under federal rules. This change affects new businesses and entrepreneurs with start-up expenses by altering how they calculate state personal income tax. The bill also allows business net losses to offset other income in the same tax year. These provisions apply to tax years beginning after December 31, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Pennsylvania's Department of Education to create and distribute a "student bill of rights" to all off-campus students at accredited colleges and universities in the state. The bill outlines specific tenant protections, including the right to habitable housing, privacy, a hearing before eviction, and reasonable accommodations for disabilities. Institutions must also provide students with an online course about housing rights, which students must complete within their first semester (or pay a $50 fee for non-completion). The law applies to all public and private higher education institutions in Pennsylvania and takes effect January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis law prohibits people in Pennsylvania from owning, using, or selling devices that can swap or hide a vehicle's license plate. The ban covers any tool, whether manual or electric, that allows a driver to change the plate shown on their car or flip it to make the number invisible. Anyone caught with or operating such a device faces a summary offense charge and a fine of up to $2,000. The rule applies to the possession, installation, sale, or distribution of these plate-flipping tools. The law became effective 60 days after it was signed into law.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House resolution designates November 2024 as Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month to highlight the importance of early detection and support for those affected by the disease. The bill serves as a symbolic gesture to encourage public education about pancreatic cancer risks, symptoms, and the ongoing efforts of organizations seeking a cure. It does not allocate funding or change laws but instead expresses the House's support for awareness programs and research initiatives.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania laws to set stricter financial and educational rules for natural gas and electric generation suppliers. It requires these companies to provide a financial bond or security to protect against bankruptcy and mandates that their sales representatives complete an approved training program and pass an exam before working. Specifically, suppliers making direct sales to homes must post a $1,000,000 bond in addition to any other required security. The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission is tasked with creating the training curriculum and overseeing compliance to ensure consumer safety and reliability.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services to submit detailed reports on the state's 988 suicide and crisis lifeline to legislative committees. The initial report, due within 180 days of the law's effective date, must include data on call volumes, answer rates, and awareness campaign performance, followed by an updated report one year later. Additionally, the legislation mandates that the department ensure effective communication with diverse populations and non-English speakers when providing crisis support. These provisions aim to improve oversight and transparency regarding mental health crisis response efforts in the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission's authority to hire and set pay for waterways patrolmen and other staff. It requires the executive director to appoint these employees based on state classification plans and mandates that full-time conservation officers be paid at the same rate as Pennsylvania State Police members. The changes apply to compensation earned after the law takes effect 60 days from passage.