Rep. José Giral

Maddy summaryHB 2190 amends Pennsylvania's Public Employe Relations Act to change how collective bargaining impasses are resolved for specific public safety and court staff. It requires binding arbitration for disputes involving prison guards, mental hospital staff, peace officers, and court employees when mediation fails - meaning the arbitrator's decision becomes final and enforceable. However, if an arbitration decision would require new legislation (e.g., changing pay rates or benefits), that part would only be advisory, not binding. The bill directly affects these public employee groups whose work is critical to security and court operations. This change streamlines dispute resolution while maintaining legislative oversight for policy changes.

Maddy summaryHB 1442 amends Pennsylvania's coroner investigation procedures to specifically address sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) cases. It requires coroners to follow standardized protocols when investigating deaths where epilepsy is a known factor, ensuring consistent documentation and review. This bill directly affects county coroners and their offices by updating their investigative responsibilities under state law. The legislation aims to improve clarity and uniformity in handling these specific death investigations.

Maddy summaryHB 96 amends Pennsylvania's Real Estate Tax Sale Law to require tax authorities to send written notice of delinquent taxes to a designated individual (like a mortgage holder) before selling property. This directly affects property owners with unpaid taxes and mortgage lenders who may be designated to receive these notices. The bill establishes a specific notification process and imposes new duties on the Department of Community and Economic Development to manage these communications. The law aims to provide clearer notice to interested parties before tax sales occur, though it does not change the core process of tax sales itself.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Medical Marijuana Act to support small, minority-owned, and veteran-owned businesses within the state's medical marijuana program. It achieves this by creating new definitions for disadvantaged, diverse, and small businesses and granting the Department of Health authority to issue additional dispensary permits specifically to these groups. Furthermore, the legislation requires the department to publish a list of available licenses annually and prioritize accepting applications from these eligible business types for those spots. The changes are designed to increase access for specific business categories without altering the core structure of the existing medical marijuana framework.

Maddy summaryThis bill, titled the Broadcast Freemarket Agreement Act, prohibits employers in the radio, television, and digital media industries from enforcing non-compete clauses in employment contracts. It declares such agreements void if they stop workers from moving to other companies or performing services within a specific geographic area after leaving their current job. The law also ensures that employees cannot be forced to sign away these protections, while still allowing employers to maintain confidentiality agreements regarding trade secrets.

Maddy summaryHB 2037 updates Pennsylvania's ethics rules for public officials by revising definitions, expanding restrictions on outside activities, and requiring clearer financial disclosures. It directly affects state legislators, executive branch employees, and other public officers who must file financial interest reports. Key changes include modernizing how "restricted activities" (like lobbying) are defined, tightening reporting requirements for investments and income, and adjusting penalties for violations. The bill aims to strengthen transparency in government finances without altering existing ethical standards' core principles.

Maddy summaryThis resolution directs the Joint State Government Commission to study suicide prevention and data collection efforts in Pennsylvania and provide recommendations for improvement. The study will specifically examine how well the state has met eight existing suicide prevention goals and analyze the Pennsylvania Violent Death Reporting System to identify barriers like lack of mandatory reporting and insufficient funding. The commission is tasked with proposing legislative actions to ensure medical examiners, coroners, and law enforcement agencies consistently report violent death data to the Department of Health.

Maddy summaryHB 2219 prohibits the use of devices that obscure or alter license plates on vehicles, including manual or electronic "flipping" devices and tinted covers. It specifically bans devices designed to hide plates from view, switch between plates, or interfere with traffic enforcement systems like red light cameras and electronic toll systems. Violating this law carries a $2,000 fine for possession, operation, or distribution of such devices. The bill directly affects drivers who use these devices to avoid traffic enforcement or tolls, and it prevents double-charging for the same offense under related vehicle registration laws. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 733 amends Pennsylvania law to allow members of religious orders, bodies, or institutions to perform marriage ceremonies, provided they are authorized by their religious group's rules. This directly affects religious organizations and their designated members who currently may not be permitted to officiate weddings under existing statutes. The key provision adds a new category to the list of authorized marriage officiants in Title 23, specifying that religiously authorized individuals may conduct ceremonies per their institution's customs. The change does not alter marriage eligibility or create new marriage rights, but expands who can legally perform wedding ceremonies. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 1123 updates Pennsylvania's 1921 Insurance Company Law to require casualty insurance policies to cover colorectal cancer screening without cost-sharing. This affects insured residents in Pennsylvania who need preventive screenings, ensuring they face no copays or deductibles for this specific health service. The key provision mandates insurers to include coverage for colon cancer screenings as a standard benefit under casualty insurance policies. The bill passed final passage on October 29, 2025, and is now pending implementation under the Banking & Insurance committee. This change directly removes financial barriers for early detection of colorectal cancer through existing insurance coverage.