Rep. Joe Hohenstein

Maddy summaryHB 1149 amends Pennsylvania's Construction Code Act to require residential building inspectors to complete five hours of mandatory continuing education. This training covers identifying faulty construction practices (including stucco installation), builders' legal liability, and homeowner remedies under federal or state law. The bill directly affects residential building inspectors licensed in Pennsylvania, adding this new requirement to their existing certification obligations. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 1151 requires developers in Pennsylvania to mail a plain-language pamphlet called the "Adjacent Neighbors' Bill of Rights" to homeowners living next to construction or development sites when a building permit is applied for. The pamphlet details homeowners' rights regarding property access, engineering surveys (at developer expense), damage claims from excavation, noise ordinances, and legal resources. It also mandates the Department of Labor and Industry to create and post this resource online and distribute it to officials and community groups. The bill directly affects homeowners adjacent to construction projects and takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act to clarify who qualifies as an "owner" for registration exemptions and add a new fraud provision. It defines "owner" to include authorized representatives without requiring residency, but requires maintaining ownership for one year after construction to qualify for exemption. The new fraud provision specifically prohibits avoiding contractor licensing by claiming owner status with intent to sell a property without ever residing there. This primarily affects homeowners with multiple properties (limiting "owner" status to primary and recreational residences) and home improvement contractors.

Maddy summaryHB 1146 allows second-class counties in Pennsylvania to generate local funding for public transportation and transportation infrastructure by imposing specific taxes, including on liquor sales, rental vehicles, real estate transfers, income, and vehicle registrations, each with maximum rates defined by existing state law. Revenue from these taxes must be deposited into a restricted county account dedicated exclusively to transportation projects. The bill also establishes administrative procedures for collecting and reporting these taxes, ensuring compliance with state tax codes and enabling counties to implement the funding mechanisms without creating new statewide programs.

Maddy summaryHB 1128 establishes Pennsylvania's Medicaid Care Transition Program to address delays in moving Medicaid patients from emergency departments to appropriate follow-up care. It directly affects Medicaid patients stuck in emergency settings, hospitals, and "responsible entities" (like county Medicaid managed care plans) that must create dedicated care transition units. Key provisions require responsible entities to: contact hospitals within 24 hours for placement, seek out-of-network options if in-network care isn't available quickly, and notify the Department of Human Services after 48 hours if placement fails. The Department then intervenes to resolve barriers like clinical issues, payment problems, or coordination with other agencies. The law aims to reduce emergency department overcrowding and ensure timely access to necessary postacute care for Medicaid enrollees.

Maddy summaryHB 1122 amends Pennsylvania's Unfair Insurance Practices Act to explicitly prohibit insurance companies from discriminating against applicants or policyholders based on protected characteristics. The bill adds specific language banning unfair discrimination in underwriting and eligibility decisions due to race, religion, nationality, ethnicity, age, sex, family size, occupation, residence, marital status, or criminal history. This directly affects insurers (who must comply with these rules) and applicants/policyholders (who gain protections against such discrimination). The key change clarifies that insurers cannot deny coverage, adjust rates, or impose terms based on these factors, except where rates are set through proper regulatory processes. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 1121 allows private providers of applied behavior analysis (ABA) services to work with students who have autism or developmental delays during school hours, as specified in their Individualized Education Program (IEP). Schools must permit this access without charging fees or creating barriers, provided parents give written consent and the services align with the student’s IEP. Private providers must coordinate with school staff, hold required certifications, and be supervised by a nationally certified behavior analyst. The bill requires schools to accommodate these services without disrupting classrooms and prohibits discrimination or retaliation against families using private pay services.

Maddy summaryHB 1114 prohibits possessing a firearm in any building, property, or parking area of a polling place during an election, with three specific offense types: simple possession, possession with intent to commit a crime, or causing a firearm to be used in a crime. Simple possession is a third-degree misdemeanor, while intent or causing use is a first-degree misdemeanor. Key exceptions include law enforcement officers performing duties, individuals with concealed carry permits (who own the firearm and have a valid license), and military personnel on duty. Polling places must post notices of the law, and failure to post prevents conviction for simple possession or intent offenses. The bill directly affects voters, poll workers, and anyone entering polling areas during elections.

Maddy summaryHB 1150 raises Pennsylvania's minimum wage to $15 per hour starting January 1, 2026, with annual increases thereafter. It also establishes a phased timeline for tipped employees: requiring higher base cash wages starting in 2025 (e.g., $5.00/hour after June 2025) and mandating that by July 1, 2029, employers must pay the full minimum wage without relying on tips. The bill ensures all tips received by employees remain their property and cannot be used by employers to meet minimum wage requirements. This directly affects most private-sector employers and tipped workers in Pennsylvania, particularly in hospitality and service industries.

Maddy summaryHB 1078 updates Pennsylvania's school health requirements to strengthen vision screening and eye health examinations for students. It mandates annual vision screenings by trained school personnel for all school-aged children, with comprehensive eye exams by licensed professionals required if screenings fail. The bill specifies that students must receive eye health exams upon school admission, in fourth grade, and eighth grade, and adds requirements for exams related to special education evaluations. Schools must notify parents of failed screenings and provide resources, but are not responsible for covering exam costs or treatment. This directly affects all public and nonpublic school students in Pennsylvania.