Rep. José Giral

Maddy summaryHB 1553 requires banks and credit unions in Pennsylvania to provide clear notices when charging overdraft or nonsufficient funds fees, including details like transaction date, type, and balance impact. It caps overdraft fees at $15 (or the transaction cost, whichever is lower) and limits customers to no more than three such fees per calendar day. The law also prohibits additional charges beyond standard fees and bans fees for declined transactions. These protections apply directly to bank customers and credit union members, with rules taking effect 180 days after enactment. The bill mandates fee transparency by requiring institutions with websites to publicly list all fees.

Maddy summaryHB 1707 establishes a 3-year pilot program providing $5,000 semester stipends to Pennsylvania residents enrolled in approved Master of Social Work (MSW) programs with a 3.0 GPA or higher who complete required internships at department-approved facilities. The Department of Human Services administers the program, awarding stipends subject to available funding and requiring interns to gain clinical training aligned with social work licensure standards. The program mandates a report within one year evaluating outcomes and expansion potential, with authority expiring three years after implementation. This directly supports social work students and aims to strengthen the behavioral health care workforce through structured education and training.

Maddy summaryHB 1572 modifies Pennsylvania's historic preservation tax credit program by setting new annual spending limits and allocation rules. It caps total annual tax credits at $20 million (excluding unused prior-year credits), limits credits to $1.5 million per project owner annually (up from $500,000), and requires equitable regional distribution of credits - reallocating unclaimed funds to other regions. The bill directly affects historic preservation project owners seeking tax credits for rehabilitation work. These changes apply to fiscal years starting July 1, 2025, and aim to manage program funding more systematically.

Maddy summaryHB 1234 amends Pennsylvania's Human Services Code to require public assistance programs to cover the cost of blood pressure monitors for eligible recipients. This change directly affects individuals enrolled in state public assistance programs who need blood pressure monitoring for health management. The bill adds blood pressure monitors to the list of covered medical equipment under the public assistance program, ensuring these devices are provided without cost to recipients. It does not change eligibility requirements but expands existing coverage to include this specific monitoring tool. The bill passed final passage on July 1, 2025, and was referred to the Health & Human Services committee.

Maddy summaryHB 799 requires businesses with more than 50 full-time employees (working 40+ hours weekly) in Pennsylvania to display or provide online a standardized workplace posting about veteran resources. The posting must include contact information for state and federal veteran benefits, the VA Crisis Line, and local county veterans affairs offices. Employers can meet this requirement by placing the posting in a visible location or on an employee-accessible company website. The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry will create and maintain this standardized posting on its public website. The law took effect on July 7, 2025, with specific provisions requiring the posting to be implemented within 180 days.

Maddy summaryHB 1696 updates Pennsylvania's Housing Finance Agency Law to create a new program enabling low-to-moderate income renters to purchase homes through a lease-with-guaranteed-purchase-option model. The program allows tenants to lease a home for a set period, after which they have the right to buy it at a predetermined price. A dedicated "Pennsylvania Lease with Guaranteed Purchase Option Home Ownership Program Fund" will provide financial support to facilitate this initiative. This bill directly affects eligible renters seeking homeownership opportunities and aims to expand access to affordable housing through this specific lease-to-own mechanism.

Maddy summaryHB 309 amends Pennsylvania's Osteopathic Medical Practice Act (1978) to update licensing rules for osteopathic physicians and related healthcare providers. It changes registration requirements from annual to biennial (every two years), clarifies rules for visiting team physicians at sports events, and adjusts continuing medical education requirements. The bill directly affects licensed osteopathic physicians, nonresident practitioners, medical students, and healthcare facilities employing osteopathic staff. Signed into law on July 7, 2025 (Act No. 29), it streamlines administrative processes without creating new licensing barriers.

Maddy summaryHB 103 amends Pennsylvania's fish and boat laws to address unsecured, abandoned, or derelict vessels in waterways, directly affecting boat owners and operators who leave vessels unattended. The bill requires owners to properly secure boats to prevent abandonment and establishes a process for reporting derelict vessels to local authorities. It imposes fines for violations, including failure to secure a boat or leaving it unattended in a way that creates a hazard. This law becomes effective upon the governor's approval, as signed into law on July 7, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1686 creates the Public Natural Resources Trust Fund to receive excess oil and gas royalties (over $70 million annually) starting in the 2025-2026 fiscal year. It increases annual transfers from the Oil and Gas Lease Fund to the Environmental Stewardship Fund from $20 million to $35 million while continuing $15 million for the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Fund. The Trust Fund will allocate 57% of funds for state park/forest projects and community recreation, and 43% for environmental cleanup and farmland preservation, with disbursements only when the fund balance exceeds $700 million. This bill directly affects oil and gas lease revenue streams, state environmental agencies, and conservation programs.

Maddy summaryHB 1410 updates Pennsylvania's CPA licensing law to modernize professional practice rules. It removes outdated requirements for out-of-state CPAs to prove "substantial equivalency" and replaces this with automatic mobility for qualified individuals seeking to practice in Pennsylvania. The bill also clarifies licensing for accounting firms, adds new discipline rules for violations, and revises certificate issuance procedures. These changes primarily affect licensed CPAs, accounting firms, and professionals seeking to practice in Pennsylvania under updated standards.