Rep. Joe Hohenstein

Maddy summaryThis bill is a non-binding resolution that officially designates June 2, 2026, as "Cancer Action Day" in Pennsylvania to raise awareness about the state's high cancer rates. It highlights statistics on cancer diagnoses and deaths in the Commonwealth while noting disparities in access to care for various communities. The resolution urges lawmakers to support future legislation aimed at improving cancer prevention, detection, and treatment services. As a commemorative measure, the bill does not create new laws or allocate funding but serves to honor those affected by cancer and advocate for improved health outcomes.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates July 4, 2026, as "Knoebels Amusement Resort Day" in Pennsylvania to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Knoebels Amusement Resort, a family-owned park in Elysburg that opened on July 4, 1926. The resolution recognizes the park's history, including its origins as a picnic destination and its growth into a major attraction with over 50 rides and games. It highlights the Knoebel family's long-standing connection to the land and the park's resilience through various natural challenges, including multiple flooding events. The designation serves as a symbolic celebration of the resort's century of operation and its contribution to Pennsylvania's tourism and entertainment industry.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House Resolution designates June 2026 as Scleroderma Awareness Month and June 29, 2026, as World Scleroderma Day within the state. The measure aims to increase public understanding of scleroderma, a rare autoimmune condition that causes skin hardening and can affect internal organs, by promoting awareness rather than implementing new policies or funding. The resolution does not change laws or allocate money but serves to highlight the disease and support ongoing research efforts at Pennsylvania universities.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates February 28, 2026, as "HIV is Not a Crime Awareness Day" in Pennsylvania. It aims to raise public awareness about HIV criminalization - where individuals with HIV face criminal charges for non-transmission behaviors - and highlights how such laws disproportionately impact marginalized groups like people of color, women, and LGBTQ+ individuals. The resolution emphasizes current public health consensus that people with HIV who have an undetectable viral load cannot transmit the virus through sex, and that HIV treatment is prevention. It is a symbolic statement, not a law, intended to encourage education and dialogue about ending outdated HIV-related criminal penalties.

Maddy summaryThis resolution directs the Joint State Government Commission to study Pennsylvania's disability waiver programs. It specifically examines how to improve experiences for individuals receiving Home and Community-Based Services waivers through the Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) and Office of Developmental Programs (ODP). The study will assess medical care access, healthcare support barriers, and staffing challenges for waiver participants. The findings will inform future improvements to these services, focusing on people with disabilities who rely on community-based care instead of institutional settings. (HR 134, 2025)

Maddy summaryThis bill is a symbolic resolution, not a law with policy changes. It asks the Pennsylvania General Assembly to officially commemorate June 6, 2025 - the 81st anniversary of D-Day - as "D-Day" within Pennsylvania. The resolution encourages local governments and communities to hold observances honoring the historical event and its sacrifices, but it imposes no new requirements or obligations on citizens, businesses, or state agencies. It is purely commemorative, reflecting on the 1944 Allied invasion of Normandy.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Pennsylvania Department of Health to launch a public education campaign focused on prostate health and cancer screening. The legislation requires the department to provide clear, up-to-date information on risk factors, screening guidelines based on age and risk level, and the benefits and risks of available tests. To support these efforts, the bill establishes a dedicated state fund that can be financed through appropriations, grants, and donations to cover the costs of the campaign. The outreach will utilize various channels, including media, community forums, and partnerships with health providers, while ensuring materials are available in multiple languages.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Pennsylvania Department of Health to create a grant program designed to help healthcare providers and facilities run education campaigns about prostate cancer and general prostate health. The Department of Health will manage the program by accepting applications from eligible local healthcare entities and awarding grants ranging from $1,000 to $30,000 to fund the creation and distribution of educational materials. A dedicated fund will be established in the State Treasury to hold money from the General Assembly, donations, and grants, with any leftover funds staying in the program rather than returning to the general state budget. Additionally, the Department of Health is required to submit annual reports to the General Assembly detailing how many grants were awarded, the total amounts involved, and a summary of the educational activities carried out by the recipients.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Patient Test Result Information Act to require laboratories to directly notify patients when their prostate-specific antigen blood tests show abnormal results. Under the new rules, labs must send a notice within five days that includes a plain-language summary of the findings, the name of the doctor who ordered the test, and instructions on how to get the full report. The Department of Health is tasked with overseeing compliance with these notification requirements and creating a publicly available list of age-specific normal and abnormal test levels. While the full results are still sent to the ordering doctor, the law ensures patients receive immediate awareness of potential issues and are encouraged to contact their healthcare provider promptly.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Minimum Wage Act to update provisions regarding training wages for employees under the age of twenty. It allows employers to pay a reduced wage rate during the first sixty days of employment for young workers, provided the employee is informed of their right to the full minimum wage after the training period ends. The legislation also includes a prohibition against hiring new trainees at a lower wage if it results in displacing existing employees through reduced hours or benefits. These changes directly affect employers in the state and young workers entering the workforce, ensuring specific protections while allowing for a temporary training wage structure.