Rep. Mary Isaacson

Maddy summaryHB 433 requires health insurance plans to cover mammograms and breast imaging services without cost-sharing (like copays or deductibles) for policyholders. It directly affects women needing preventive breast cancer screenings and the insurance companies providing health coverage. The bill amends Pennsylvania’s 1921 Insurance Company Law to mandate this coverage for mammographic examinations and breast imaging under casualty insurance policies. This policy change ensures these essential preventive services are fully covered at no additional cost to patients.

Maddy summaryHB 630 amends Pennsylvania's Equal Pay Law to strengthen protections against wage discrimination based on sex, race, or ethnicity. It adds definitions for "comparable work" (requiring similar skill, effort, responsibility, and working conditions) and clarifies that "wages" include all compensation like fringe benefits. The bill explicitly bans employers from requiring employees to refrain from discussing wages, using salary history to set pay, or asking about prior wages during hiring. It also establishes an Equal Pay Enforcement Fund to support enforcement efforts and clarifies that job titles alone cannot determine if jobs are comparable.

Maddy summaryHB 526 protects mothers' right to breastfeed their children in any public or private location where they are otherwise permitted to be, without being considered indecent exposure, a nuisance, or obscenity. It defines "breastfeeding" to include both direct feeding and expressing milk for bottle-feeding, and creates a private right to sue for violations, allowing recovery of $1,000 per incident plus attorney fees. The law applies broadly across Pennsylvania, ensuring mothers can feed their children without legal interference while maintaining existing protections from the repealed 2007 Freedom to Breastfeed Act.

Maddy summaryHR 225 is a resolution that officially designates May 13, 2025, as "Cancer Action Day" in Pennsylvania. It aims to raise awareness about the impact of cancer on Pennsylvanians and encourages the advancement of legislation supporting cancer prevention, detection, and treatment across the Commonwealth.

Maddy summaryHB 280 amends Pennsylvania's Election Code to clarify primary voting rules for unaffiliated voters. It defines "unenrolled electors" as voters who registered without party affiliation (selecting "none," "no affiliation," or "other" with a clear independent preference). The bill allows these voters to participate in primary elections for candidate nominations by following specific procedures, while maintaining that only enrolled party members can vote in party primaries or hold party office. It also repeals provisions about voters accidentally casting ballots for the wrong party at primary elections.

Maddy summaryHB 813 amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code of 1971 to exempt certain student loan discharges and employer educational assistance from personal income tax. Specifically, it excludes from taxation: (1) the discharge of eligible student loans under qualified federal forgiveness programs, and (2) employer-paid educational assistance that meets federal exclusion rules under Section 127 of the Internal Revenue Code. These exemptions apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025. The bill directly affects Pennsylvania taxpayers who qualify for these specific student loan forgiveness or employer education benefits under federal programs.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates May 2025 as "Menstrual Health Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania. It symbolically recognizes the importance of menstrual health, highlighting issues like limited access to education and hygiene products, stigma, and health disparities affecting women and girls. The resolution does not create new laws, funding, or requirements; it is a formal acknowledgment by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives to raise awareness about these issues. It directly affects Pennsylvanians by designating a month for community education and discussion around menstrual health.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1401 amends the Public School Code of 1949 by establishing new admission requirements for educator preparation programs. It mandates that applicants for initial preparation programs leading to a bachelor's degree must have completed at least 48 college credit hours with a minimum 2.8 GPA. Applicants for alternative programs must hold a bachelor's degree with a 2.8 GPA, and advanced program applicants need a 2.8 GPA along with professional recommendations. Preparing institutions may admit up to 10% of initial preparation applicants who do not meet the GPA requirement, provided other eligibility criteria are met. These provisions directly affect individuals aspiring to become teachers and the institutions that train them.

Maddy summaryHB 1441 proposes significant changes to sentencing and parole eligibility for certain serious offenses in Pennsylvania, applying these changes retroactively. The bill modifies sentences for individuals under 18 convicted of first-degree murder, murder of an unborn child, or murder of a law enforcement officer, replacing "life without parole" with minimum terms of 25 or 35 years to life, making them eligible for parole. It also removes "without parole" from life sentences for repeat violent offenders, allowing them parole consideration. The Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole would gain the power to parole individuals serving life sentences, though it would be prohibited from granting parole to offenders who murdered a law enforcement officer. Additionally, for those serving life sentences, parole consideration would not begin until at least five years of incarceration.

Maddy summaryHR 217 is a resolution that formally recognizes May 7, 2025, as "Philadelphia Eagles Day at the Capitol" in Pennsylvania. It also honors the 2024 Philadelphia Eagles for their victory as the Super Bowl LIX Champions.