Rep. Mary Isaacson

Maddy summaryHB 716 amends Pennsylvania's Wage Payment and Collection Law to require employers to provide employees with specific pay details (including rate, time of payment, and fringe benefits) at hiring and to post a summary of the law in a visible workplace location. Employers who fail to meet these notification or posting requirements face a $500 fine per violation. The bill also extends the time limit for employees to file legal claims for unpaid wages: if an employer didn't provide required notice or post the summary, the deadline becomes the later of three years after wages were due or the day the requirements were satisfied. This affects all employers in Pennsylvania subject to the Wage Payment and Collection Law.

Maddy summaryHB 612 amends Pennsylvania's Scrap Material Theft Prevention Act to require scrap processors and recycling facilities to collect specific identification details from sellers during scrap material transactions exceeding $100 or involving catalytic converters. Key provisions include collecting driver's license copies, vehicle license plate numbers, seller signatures, and for catalytic converters, vehicle details (year/make/model/VIN), photographs of the converter, and the seller. The bill also mandates a 48-hour payment hold on catalytic converter transactions until law enforcement or a judge authorizes release, with facilities required to keep converters intact during this period. Violations carry fines starting at $5,000 for catalytic converter non-compliance and up to $2,500 for other failures, with repeat offenses classified as misdemeanors.

Maddy summaryHB 611 requires deconstruction (systematic dismantling to maximize material reuse) for primary dwelling structures (1-4 unit homes built before January 1, 1930) prior to demolition or renovation. It mandates a documented 85% landfill diversion rate by weight and one salvaged item per 500 square meters of structure, with exceptions for economic or practical infeasibility. Only certified deconstruction contractors - verified by the Department of Labor and Industry through a training program - may perform work, and owners or their agents are responsible for compliance. The bill creates new enforcement standards under Pennsylvania's Construction Code Act, focusing on material reuse over recycling or landfill disposal.

Maddy summaryHB 609 requires builders to notify residential property owners about construction defects they discover. Builders must send a written notice within 30 days via certified mail, including a description of the defect, the reason for knowing about it, and their contact information. This applies only to residential properties and does not apply if 15+ years have passed since construction. Builders who fail to notify (without reasonable cause) must pay the owner’s actual damages, but the notice itself doesn’t create liability or limit other legal remedies. The bill takes effect in 60 days.

Maddy summaryHB 626 requires Pennsylvania's Department of Labor and Industry to create and distribute a clear, plain-language notice to sheriffs about local building and zoning requirements after real estate foreclosure sales. The notice must list municipal contacts, indicate whether each municipality enforces Pennsylvania's Uniform Construction Code, and explain permit needs for property construction. Sheriffs must then provide this notice to all purchasers at sheriff's sales - both online and at the sale location - so new owners understand mandatory building rules before starting work. This applies specifically to properties sold under Pennsylvania's Municipal Claim and Tax Lien Law and Real Estate Tax Sale Law. The notice must be updated annually by the Department and delivered to sheriffs by December 31 each year.

Maddy summaryHB 631 proposes adding a new "economic bill of rights" to Pennsylvania's state constitution, guaranteeing four specific rights: a living wage for supporting a family (Section 30a), affordable healthcare and health opportunities (30b), safe transportation infrastructure (30c), and safe working conditions (30d). This constitutional amendment would directly affect all Pennsylvania residents by establishing these economic rights as fundamental. The resolution outlines the process requiring two legislative passages by the General Assembly, followed by voter approval at the next eligible election. If approved by voters, it would become part of Pennsylvania's constitution.

Maddy summaryHB 637 establishes Pennsylvania's Youth Summer Employment Grant Program, administered by the Department of Labor and Industry. The program provides grants to eligible employers (including businesses, nonprofits, and municipalities) who hire residents aged 15-18 for at least eight weeks during summer, pay at least $15/hour or the state minimum wage, and offer work or educational experiences. Grants amount to $5,000 for 10-20 youth, $10,000 for over 20 youth, with an additional $5,000 if 50% of hired youth live in historically disadvantaged communities (defined as areas with ≥20% poverty for 30+ years). Funding comes from a new nonlapsing Youth Summer Employment Fund in the State Treasury, with the department required to advertise the program to employers and schools.

Maddy summaryHB 628 (the Homeowner Cease and Desist List Act) allows residential property owners in designated "homeowner cease and desist zones" to opt out of unsolicited contact from real estate brokers, salespersons, or others in the business of buying/selling homes. Owners in these zones can file a statement with the Secretary of the Commonwealth, which triggers a public list preventing solicitation. Real estate professionals violating this prohibition face escalating penalties: a written warning for a first violation, then $1,000 for a second, $5,000 for a third, and $5,000 plus referral to the State Real Estate Commission for fourth or subsequent violations. The law applies only to direct solicitation (e.g., phone calls, mail, in-person contact) and does not prevent owners from choosing to work with real estate professionals if they wish. Zones expire after five years unless renewed.

Maddy summaryHB 619 requires Pennsylvania employers to provide employees with up to two hours of paid time off to vote in elections, affecting all public and private sector workers in the state. The bill mandates that employees give employers at least two working days' notice before an election and prohibits employers from asking about voting preferences or party affiliation. Employers must post a uniform notice about this policy (available from the Secretary of the Commonwealth) at least 10 days before an election and face fines of $100-$500 for violations. The law aims to ensure voting access without penalty, with employees required to verify voting attendance to retain paid time off.

Maddy summaryHB 657 prohibits Pennsylvania insurers from using an individual's credit history to deny coverage, increase premiums, cancel policies, or refuse renewals for personal insurance (like home or auto insurance) or life insurance. It directly affects consumers seeking insurance and insurers or insurance producers who previously used credit history for pricing decisions. The law requires the state Insurance Department to enforce these rules through fines (up to $5,000 per violation), license suspensions, or cease-and-desist orders for violations. The bill defines "credit history" broadly as any credit report used to determine insurance costs or eligibility.