Rep. Ben Waxman

Maddy summaryHB 2106 amends Pennsylvania's guardianship procedures for people alleged to be incapacitated. It requires courts to provide clear, simple-language notices to the person in question about the hearing's purpose, potential loss of rights, and their rights, along with the petition details. The bill specifies who must be notified (like relatives, service providers, and others with a genuine interest in the person's well-being) and clarifies hearing procedures, including when hearings can be closed or held at the person's residence. This directly affects individuals facing guardianship proceedings, their families, and service providers.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Human Relations Act to clarify that religious or fraternal organizations cannot restrict membership based on race, color, national origin, or ancestry to deny equal access to housing, employment, or public accommodations. It specifically updates Section 5(h)(10) to explicitly prohibit such discrimination under the guise of religious or fraternal affiliation. The change directly affects religious institutions, fraternal organizations, and housing providers operating under existing exemptions. The amendment takes effect 60 days after passage.

Maddy summaryHB 558 caps residential rental application fees at $20 per applicant and restricts landlords from charging more for background checks that must include criminal history and credit score checks. It directly affects residential landlords and tenants in Pennsylvania by limiting fee amounts and specifying how fees may be used. The bill exempts commercial or nonresidential properties from these fee limits. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Pennsylvania's child protective services agencies to notify school principals, guidance counselors, or mental health professionals when a student has recently experienced a traumatic event. The law mandates that these agencies create specific procedures to share this information while strictly prohibiting the disclosure of confidential case details. By enabling schools to monitor affected students, the measure aims to ensure they can provide appropriate support without compromising privacy. The regulations will take effect 60 days after the bill is enacted.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House resolution designates the week of May 17 through 23, 2026, as Public Works Week to honor the contributions of public works professionals in the state. The bill directly affects engineers, contractors, inspectors, and other workers who maintain essential community services like streets, water systems, and waste collection. By officially recognizing this time period, the resolution aims to raise public awareness about the critical role these workers play in keeping communities safe and functional, especially during emergencies.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates May 28, 2026, as "World Hunger Day" in Pennsylvania to raise awareness about food insecurity. It directly affects the state's residents, particularly the 1.7 million Pennsylvanians currently facing hunger, including over 475,000 children. The resolution encourages individuals and organizations to support efforts that expand access to nutritious food and promote understanding of the issue. The text highlights statistics on hunger in the state and nation while noting the impact of food deserts and recent changes to federal nutrition programs. Ultimately, the bill serves as a symbolic gesture to draw attention to the challenge rather than implementing new policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution designates April 2026 as "Distracted Driving Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania to promote safe driving habits. The bill does not create new laws or regulations but serves as a formal recognition to encourage drivers to avoid distractions like texting and talking while operating vehicles. It highlights statistics on distracted driving crashes and fatalities to raise public awareness about the dangers. The resolution encourages Pennsylvanians to focus on the road and discuss the risks of distracted driving with their families.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House resolution designates the week of May 3 through 9, 2026, as "Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week" to raise public and medical awareness about the condition. The bill highlights that tardive dyskinesia is a movement disorder that can occur in people taking antipsychotic medications, particularly those who are older, Black, female, or have had long-term medication exposure. It encourages healthcare providers, patients, and caregivers to learn more about the symptoms of the condition and the importance of regular screenings to enable early detection and treatment. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic gesture to promote education and awareness about this health issue.

Maddy summaryHB 2131 amends Pennsylvania's electric utility law to change how customers are handled when their electricity supplier contracts expire. If a customer doesn't secure a new contract with their current electricity supplier before their existing agreement ends, the supplier must automatically transfer them back to the default service provider at the provider's standard rate. This applies to residential and business customers who fail to proactively renew their electricity contracts. The bill requires utilities to submit compliance plans within 60 days to implement this automatic reconnection process, effective 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 1251 amends the existing Physical Therapy Practice Act (1975) to update definitions and clarify the scope of physical therapy practice. It directly affects licensed physical therapists and the state licensing board by modifying how practice standards are defined and applied. The bill focuses on revising specific terms and practice rules within the current legal framework, without specifying new restrictions or expansions. As a practice act amendment, it aims to ensure the law aligns with current professional standards and operational needs. (Note: Specific provisions are not detailed in the provided context.)