Rep. José Giral

Maddy summaryHB 755 requires health insurers in Pennsylvania (excluding grandfathered plans) to cover all preventive health services listed by the Insurance Department without cost-sharing, such as copays or deductibles. This directly affects insurers who must comply with the coverage rules and enrollees who gain access to preventive care like vaccinations and screenings at no extra cost. The bill empowers the Insurance Department to create and update the preventive services list through a public comment process (15+ business days) and enforce compliance with penalties for violations. It aligns with federal preventive care standards but allows Pennsylvania to adjust the list based on public input and evidence-based guidelines.

Maddy summaryHB 404 amends Pennsylvania's Insurance Company Law to extend health insurance coverage for children under family policies. It requires policies to cover dependent children up to age 26 (previously 19) and prohibits insurers from denying or restricting coverage based on a child's financial dependency, residency, marital status, school enrollment, or employment. The bill also allows group health plans to extend coverage for adult children up to age 29 if they meet specific conditions, such as not being married, having no dependents, and residing in Pennsylvania or attending school full-time. This affects all health insurance policies sold in Pennsylvania that provide dependent child coverage.

Maddy summaryHB 410 allows certain Pennsylvanians with disabilities, 100% service-connected veterans, and active-duty military members or their dependents living abroad to renew driver's licenses using their most recent photo and signature on file instead of providing new photos. The bill applies to individuals who qualify under existing disability plate rules (Section 1338), have a 100% service-connected disability certification, or are active military personnel or their dependents. Renewal using existing records is prohibited if no current photo/signature exists, if record changes (like name or eye color) are needed, or if the photo is over 16 years old. The law takes effect 33 months after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 1009 requires auto insurers to notify Pennsylvania's Department of Transportation within 10 days of issuing new insurance policies specifically used as proof of financial responsibility. This directly affects insurers and drivers who need to meet the state's minimum coverage requirements for vehicle operation. The bill adds a new provision to vehicle law mandating this reporting, effective 60 days after enactment. It focuses on streamlining proof of financial responsibility verification without changing coverage requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 1008 updates Pennsylvania's vehicle registration renewal process by requiring the state Department of Motor Vehicles to send renewal notices 60 days before expiration, plus weekly text or email reminders (if contact info is on file) until renewal is completed. It applies to all vehicle owners in Pennsylvania, with commercial vehicles additionally requiring self-certification of safety inspections during renewal. The bill specifies that failing to receive a notice does not excuse the owner from renewing registration on time. This procedural change aims to reduce expired registrations through clearer communication, effective 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 1028 establishes a grant program to help small businesses affected by long-term public utility road construction projects. It provides financial assistance to qualified businesses (for-profit entities with 10 or fewer employees located in designated "construction mitigation zones" impacted by projects lasting over 90 days) to offset revenue declines caused by traffic disruptions, reduced access, or parking issues. Businesses must apply with proof of significant revenue loss, and grants are capped at actual documented losses or $15,000 per year. The Department of Community and Economic Development administers the program, prioritizes applications based on revenue decline severity and project duration, and requires annual public reporting of recipients and project details.

Maddy summaryHB 989 extends a 3-day "cooling-off period" for consumers who purchase goods or services priced at $25 or more through door-to-door sales, phone calls, or online platforms. It requires sellers to provide a bilingual receipt and a detachable cancellation form at the time of sale, clearly stating the right to cancel within three business days. Consumers must return merchandise in its original condition and notify sellers in writing to cancel, with sellers required to refund payments within 10 business days. This bill directly affects buyers in these specific sales scenarios and mandates new disclosure requirements for sellers under Pennsylvania's consumer protection law.

Maddy summaryHB 995 amends Pennsylvania law to require the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) to include provisions for protecting owned animals in the state's emergency management plan. The bill creates new funding for approved animal response teams to develop and maintain rescue capabilities, with PEMA allocating annual funds based on agency standards. It defines "owned animals" as pets, agricultural animals, or those under a Game Commission permit (excluding wildlife) and mandates that teams receiving funds maintain records for audit. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 1003 establishes Pennsylvania's Veterans' Housing Assistance Program to provide rental assistance to homeless or at-risk veterans. It directly affects veterans who served honorably in the U.S. Armed Forces and are identified as homeless or facing imminent homelessness by the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. The program provides rental vouchers (financial assistance) to cover monthly rent and utilities, while the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency coordinates housing ombudsman services to negotiate leases and resolve credit issues, and the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs identifies eligible veterans and sets implementation guidelines. Veterans must apply through the Department or Agency and may be required to participate in supportive services like mental health counseling or job training to receive assistance.

Maddy summaryHB 1002 requires Pennsylvania public and private schools to notify parents or legal guardians when a student threatens suicide or is involved in bullying (as defined in state law). Schools must adopt a written policy for these notifications, keep records of each notification (exempt from public records requests), and provide parents with suicide prevention resources, including information on limiting access to firearms or medication. Students can request copies of their own records under this policy and, after graduating high school, ask for those records to be permanently removed. The bill takes effect for the 2026-2027 school year.