Rep. Ben Waxman

Maddy summaryHB 2133, the "Right to Disconnect Act," gives employees of Pennsylvania employers with 75+ workers the right to ignore work communications during nonworking hours (outside scheduled shifts). Employers must create written policies establishing this right, with exceptions for emergencies or last-minute schedule changes. Employees can file complaints with the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry if an employer repeatedly violates this right (defined as three documented instances), with appeals potentially going to the Attorney General. The law aims to protect employees' personal time from work-related contact during nonwork hours.

Maddy summaryHB 2132 updates Pennsylvania's Landlord and Tenant Act by replacing the term "justice of the peace" with "magisterial district judge" for courts handling landlord-tenant cases, excluding common pleas courts. It requires eviction orders (writs of possession) to be served within 48 hours and executed on the 11th day after service. The bill prohibits landlords from charging tenants for filing costs and voids any lease clause requiring tenants to pay such fees. These changes clarify court procedures and protect tenants from unexpected costs during eviction processes.

Maddy summaryHB 2129 repeals an existing provision about the expiration of unconventional gas well fees and establishes a new severance tax on natural gas extracted from unconventional gas wells. The tax applies to producers (companies or individuals extracting natural gas) starting July 1 of the year after the bill's effective date, calculated using base and additional tax rates. It creates a new tax administration framework in Chapter 43 of Pennsylvania's oil and gas statutes, including penalties for non-compliance. The bill explicitly states this new tax does not affect the existing collection and distribution of the unconventional gas well fee.

Maddy summaryHB 2127 amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code to adjust tax credit rules for waterfront development projects. It increases the maximum tax credit for businesses from 75% to 90% of their contribution and doubles the annual cap on total credits from $5 million to $10 million. The bill also requires the Department of Revenue to review applications and renewals from waterfront development organizations within 60 days and limits contributions used for future maintenance to no more than 15%. These changes directly affect businesses contributing to waterfront development projects and the organizations managing these projects.

Maddy summaryHB 2125 amends Pennsylvania's 1951 Landlord and Tenant Act to strengthen tenant protections in rental properties. It restricts evictions to four specific reasons: nonpayment of rent, a second or subsequent lease violation within six months, a change in land use, or property termination. The bill requires landlords to provide written notices via certified mail before eviction proceedings, with 20-day notice for rent nonpayment (April-September) or 30 days otherwise, and prohibits self-help evictions like lockouts. It also mandates that community rules be uniformly applied to all tenants and posted clearly, with a required "Important Notice" explaining tenant rights and eviction procedures. This bill directly affects tenants and landlords in rental properties governed by the Landlord and Tenant Act.

Maddy summaryHB 2126 requires Pennsylvania residents to obtain a new "firearm eligibility license" to purchase a firearm, making it illegal to possess a firearm without this license. The bill adds an exception allowing individuals with an expired carry license (within six months) to carry a firearm without penalty if eligible for renewal. It also ensures that individuals prohibited from possessing a firearm (including those without the eligibility license) cannot obtain a license to carry, affecting both firearm purchasers and carry license applicants.

Maddy summaryHB 2128 amends Pennsylvania's firearm licensing laws by updating the criteria for denying concealed carry permits and requiring detailed annual reporting from the Pennsylvania State Police. It specifies that sheriffs may deny licenses based on violations of federal weapon carriage rules (49 CFR 1540.111) as "good cause," directly affecting applicants seeking concealed carry permits. The bill also mandates the State Police to annually report to the General Assembly on firearm sales types, denied application statistics, background check processing times, license issuances/reversals, and other key metrics. These changes focus on clarifying denial standards and increasing transparency around firearm licensing data. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 1628 extends Pennsylvania's medical assistance program to cover pregnancy-related care and postpartum support for up to 12 additional months after childbirth or pregnancy loss (such as miscarriage). It directly affects pregnant and postpartum women who are currently receiving medical assistance, have income below 215% of the federal poverty level, and are not otherwise eligible for ongoing assistance. The bill requires the state to seek federal approval for this extension via a waiver under the Social Security Act, and if federal approval is denied, it mandates a report to the legislature within 180 days detailing how to revise the application for future approval. This change aims to improve access to healthcare during a critical period following pregnancy.

Maddy summaryHB 2111 amends Pennsylvania's abortion laws to restrict public facilities and funds. It prohibits publicly owned hospitals, clinics, or government entities from leasing property, entering contracts, or using public funds to support abortion services - except for cases where abortion is necessary to save a mother's life, or to terminate pregnancies resulting from rape or incest that have been reported to law enforcement (with specific documentation requirements). The bill also bans public funds from being used for legal services related to abortion access or restrictions, and requires strict verification of rape/incest reports before funding can be approved for those exceptions. These changes directly affect public health facilities, government agencies, and providers receiving public funding.

Maddy summaryHB 2110 repeals existing restrictions on using public funds for abortions under Pennsylvania's Human Services Code. It removes Section 453, which previously limited state/local government funding for abortions except in cases of life endangerment, rape, or incest (with reporting requirements). The bill also abrogates a related regulation (55 Pa. Code § 1163.62(a)). This change directly affects public assistance programs and healthcare providers receiving state funds, eliminating the prior legal barriers to funding abortion services. The policy shift removes specific restrictions but does not establish new funding rules for public assistance programs.