Rep. Ed Neilson

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes legal protections for individuals and nonprofit organizations that donate menstrual products to those in need. It grants immunity from civil and criminal liability to donors and nonprofits if the products appear fit for use, covering issues like age, packaging, or condition. However, this protection does not apply if the injury or death of the recipient results from gross negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct by the donor or organization. The legislation defines key terms such as "menstrual product" and "nonprofit organization" to clarify who and what are covered under these rules.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania bill requires public and private schools to teach students in grades six through twelve about suicide prevention and violence awareness, while also introducing social isolation education for students from kindergarten through grade twelve. To support these requirements, the state education department must create and publish a list of evidence-based, age-appropriate curricula that schools can use to deliver at least one hour of instruction annually. The materials must cover identifying warning signs, seeking help, and reporting dangerous behavior, with the option for schools to combine these lessons into a single class period. Additionally, the legislation allows for the establishment of student-led violence prevention clubs to further promote safety within school communities.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House Resolution designates July 20, 2026, as Colombian Independence Day within the state. The measure honors Colombia's 1810 struggle for freedom from Spanish rule and highlights historical connections between Philadelphia and the Colombian independence movement, including the city's role in spreading revolutionary ideas and hosting diplomatic representatives. By officially recognizing the date, the resolution acknowledges the sacrifices made during the independence wars and celebrates the contributions of the Colombian community living in Pennsylvania today.

Maddy summaryHB 1972 amends Pennsylvania's Public Adjuster Licensing Law (1983) to update requirements for public adjusters who represent insurance policyholders in claim disputes. It adds new provisions requiring adjusters to provide written financial interest disclosures to clients and make separate pre-contract disclosures about their services and fees. The bill also clarifies definitions, adjusts licensing fees, and specifies bond requirements for adjusters seeking or maintaining their license. These changes directly affect licensed public adjusters and the policyholders they serve in Pennsylvania.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's 1982 highway and bridge funding law to authorize $4.77 billion in repairs and replacements for state and local bridges during the 2026-2027 fiscal year. It allocates approximately $3.8 billion for state-owned projects managed by the Department of Transportation and about $962 million for local municipal projects, with the state providing grants covering up to 80% of non-federal costs. The legislation specifically lists individual bridge projects across various counties, detailing their estimated costs and purposes such as replacement, restoration, or preservation.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows the Pennsylvania State Workers' Insurance Fund to invest up to 20% of its assets in equity investments, expanding its current authority which is limited to securities authorized for savings banks. The legislation directly affects the fund's management by permitting the Board of Directors to approve these higher-risk investments to potentially increase returns. All investments must be held by the State Treasurer, who will manage the collection of interest and principal payments based on the Board's authorization. The changes take effect 60 days after the bill becomes law.

Maddy summaryThis bill, titled the Broadcast Freemarket Agreement Act, prohibits employers in the radio, television, and digital media industries from enforcing non-compete clauses in employment contracts. It declares such agreements void if they stop workers from moving to other companies or performing services within a specific geographic area after leaving their current job. The law also ensures that employees cannot be forced to sign away these protections, while still allowing employers to maintain confidentiality agreements regarding trade secrets.

Maddy summaryThis bill grants school administrators in Pennsylvania's first-class cities and school districts the right to engage in collective bargaining with their employers. It allows these administrators to negotiate terms regarding pay, working hours, benefits, and dispute resolution through designated representatives. The Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board will handle any disagreements about these bargaining items using the same process applied to other public employees. The changes apply immediately upon the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Pennsylvania schools to offer optional hunting and trapping education courses to students in grades six through twelve by July 1, 2027. The program must include firearm safety instruction taught by certified instructors, covering topics like safe handling and maintenance, while strictly prohibiting actual firearms or ammunition from entering school buildings. Parents can request to excuse their children from these classes without penalty, and completing the course satisfies the state's basic hunter-trapper education requirement for obtaining a hunting license.

Maddy summaryHB 2146 modifies Pennsylvania's open meetings law to clarify when government agencies can take action on unlisted agenda items. It creates specific exceptions for minor administrative approvals that arise unexpectedly, such as urgent legal filings, small purchases under $10,000 (based on current thresholds), grant applications with deadlines, or minor permit approvals. Agencies must obtain and publicly disclose a legal opinion confirming an item qualifies under these exceptions before acting. This directly affects state and local agencies holding public meetings, ensuring transparency while allowing limited flexibility for time-sensitive matters. The bill does not change core meeting notice requirements but adds defined exceptions for minor, non-financial actions.