Rep. Mary Isaacson

Maddy summaryHB 404 amends Pennsylvania's Insurance Company Law to extend health insurance coverage for children under family policies. It requires policies to cover dependent children up to age 26 (previously 19) and prohibits insurers from denying or restricting coverage based on a child's financial dependency, residency, marital status, school enrollment, or employment. The bill also allows group health plans to extend coverage for adult children up to age 29 if they meet specific conditions, such as not being married, having no dependents, and residing in Pennsylvania or attending school full-time. This affects all health insurance policies sold in Pennsylvania that provide dependent child coverage.

Maddy summaryHB 1034 amends Pennsylvania's 1951 Landlord and Tenant Act to clarify utility payment rules for renters. It requires landlords who collect water, sewer, gas, or electricity payments directly from tenants to include a written notice in the lease about this obligation and provide a copy of the utility bill to the tenant within five days of a written request. The bill directly affects residential tenants and landlords in Pennsylvania rental agreements. Key provisions ensure transparency by mandating written notice and timely access to billing information, with the law taking effect 90 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates March 17, 2025, as "Bayard Rustin Day" in Pennsylvania. It honors Bayard Rustin, a key organizer of the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom and a prominent civil rights leader who advocated for nonviolent activism, racial equality, and LGBTQ+ rights. The resolution does not create new laws or policies; it is a ceremonial designation to recognize Rustin's historical contributions. It directly affects Pennsylvania residents through official recognition of this date in state government communications and public events.

Maddy summaryHB 620 increases the recycling fee for waste processing facilities in Pennsylvania from $2 to $5 per ton. The bill directly affects operators of municipal waste landfills and resource recovery facilities, requiring them to pay this fee on all solid waste processed at their facilities or disposed of at landfills (excluding certain residues). The key provision amends Section 701(a) of the 1988 Municipal Waste Planning Act to set the new fee amount. The change takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates April 29, 2025, as "22nd Amendment Day" in Pennsylvania. It commemorates Pennsylvania's ratification of the 22nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution on April 29, 1947, which established presidential term limits. The resolution has no legal effect and serves only as a ceremonial observance. It does not alter any laws or impact any individuals or groups.

Maddy summaryHB 936 modifies Pennsylvania's child care subsidy program by reducing copayments for parents who work in the child care field. It requires that families where a parent or caretaker is employed as a child-care worker or direct support professional (in either family child-care homes or licensed centers) pay no more than 15% of their annual income for subsidized care, regardless of their income level. This change applies to all qualifying child care settings defined in the bill, including family child-care homes (serving 4-6 unrelated children) and centers (serving 7+ children). The policy aims to lower financial barriers for child care workers seeking subsidized care for their own children.

Maddy summaryHB 887 prevents Pennsylvania counties and municipalities from regulating the ownership, possession, transfer, or transportation of firearms, ammunition, or components - except when on property they own, operate, or maintain (like buildings, parks, or vehicles). It repeals a current law (Title 53 § 2962(g)) that banned local governments from creating firearm regulations. The bill directly affects all local governments by limiting their authority to enact firearm-related ordinances. This change takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 882 prohibits real estate professionals (including agents, brokers, and developers) and construction companies from using "predatory tactics" like repeated unsolicited contact after a homeowner requests no further contact, or threats regarding the sale of their property. It requires these professionals to disclose their identity and the intended buyer of the homeowner's property during initial contact. Violators face civil penalties of $2,000 to $10,000 per violation, with each continuing day counting as a separate violation. Homeowners harmed by these practices can sue for damages and recover attorney fees.

Maddy summaryHB 860 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to prohibit public schools from removing library books or instructional materials based on specific reasons, such as an author's race, gender identity, political views, or content about sexuality. It directly affects public school entities (including districts, charter schools, and libraries) by banning "soft censorship" - removing materials outside formal review processes - and requires schools to publicly report such removals. The bill mandates that materials can only be removed following a defined procedure, ensuring decisions are based on educational appropriateness, not personal views. It also requires schools to provide online complaint forms for students or parents who experience unauthorized removals, referencing data showing 457 book challenges in Pennsylvania from 2021-2022. The law aims to protect students' access to diverse learning resources while aligning with First Amendment principles.

Maddy summaryHB 850 requires hydraulic fracturing service providers and chemical vendors to include a specific tracer substance in the fluid used for unconventional oil and gas well fracturing. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection must specify tracers that are traceable to the operator and safe for public health and the environment. The Environmental Quality Board will create regulations to implement these requirements. The law applies to all fracturing activities performed on or after its effective date.