Rep. Ben Waxman

Maddy summaryThis resolution condemns any threats of political violence against elected officials, specifically referencing recent public statements interpreted as threatening lawmakers who uphold constitutional duties. It reaffirms that military personnel must refuse unlawful orders under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), citing Articles 90-92 and the Nuremberg Principles. The resolution has no legal effect but symbolically urges compliance with the UCMJ and rejects intimidation tactics targeting representatives. It directs copies to the President, Defense Secretary, and Pennsylvania's congressional delegation. As a symbolic statement, it does not alter laws or directly affect any group beyond expressing legislative concern.

Maddy summaryHB 1713 amends the 1995 Economic Development Agency, Fiduciary and Lender Environmental Liability Protection Act by clarifying specific definitions within the law. It directly affects economic development agencies, fiduciaries, and lenders operating under this environmental liability protection framework. The bill's key mechanism is updating terminology to improve clarity and consistency in how environmental liability protections apply. This procedural amendment focuses on refining the legal language rather than changing substantive protections. The bill passed final passage on November 19, 2025, and was referred to the Urban Affairs & Housing committee.

Maddy summaryHB 439 amends Pennsylvania's Human Relations Act to explicitly define "race" as including hair texture and protective hairstyles (such as locs, braids, or afros), and "religious creed" as including head coverings or hairstyles tied to religious practice. Employers cannot prohibit these features unless they prove the rule is necessary for health/safety, non-discriminatory, job-specific, and applied equally. The law does not prevent employers from enforcing general safety rules or anti-harassment policies that apply fairly across all employees. This directly affects employers and employees in Pennsylvania workplaces by clarifying protections against discrimination related to appearance.

Maddy summaryHB 1528 establishes the Grand-family Assistance Program to provide financial support to grandparents and other relatives raising grandchildren. It creates a dedicated fund to make regular payments to local area agencies on aging, which will administer the program and assist eligible families. The bill requires the Department of Aging to manage the program and oversee fund distribution, ensuring direct support reaches affected relatives caring for children. This policy change directly affects grandfamilies and local aging services agencies through structured financial aid and administrative responsibilities.

Maddy summaryHB 1161 requires a physician to be present at all wrestling competitions in Pennsylvania, including high school and college events. This law directly affects athletic programs, schools, and event organizers by mandating immediate medical personnel availability during matches. The key provision ensures a physician is on-site to address potential injuries, aligning with safety standards for wrestling competitions under state athletic regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 2050 amends the 1961 Pharmacy Act to update requirements for obtaining and maintaining a pharmacy operating permit. It directly affects pharmacy owners and operators who must comply with these permit rules. The bill modifies the existing permit process under the Pharmacy Act, though specific procedural changes are not detailed in the provided context. This update aims to modernize pharmacy permit administration within the state's regulatory framework. The bill was recently referred to the Health committee for further review.

Maddy summaryHB 2043 would prohibit the possession, sale, and transfer of specific assault weapons under Pennsylvania law. It directly affects individuals who own or attempt to purchase these firearms, as defined by the bill. The key provision creates a new criminal ban on the targeted weapons, making their possession unlawful without specified exceptions. The bill is currently under review by the Judiciary committee.

Maddy summaryHR 326 is a symbolic resolution designating December 1, 2025, as "Young Involved Philadelphia Day" in Pennsylvania. It formally recognizes the contributions of Philadelphia youth engaged in community activities, without creating new laws or altering policies. The resolution has no legal effect but serves as an official acknowledgment by the state legislature. It directly affects Philadelphia youth organizations and city officials through this ceremonial designation.

Maddy summaryHB 2044 requires gun owners in Pennsylvania to report the theft or loss of a firearm to law enforcement within 48 hours. It directly affects individuals who legally own firearms by imposing a new reporting obligation. The bill specifies that failure to report within the required timeframe would be considered a misdemeanor offense, subjecting violators to penalties. This amendment modifies existing firearm laws under Title 18 to strengthen accountability for lost or stolen weapons.

Maddy summaryHB 1873 amends Pennsylvania laws related to child welfare and family offenses. It clarifies definitions for "endangering the welfare of children" and updates rules about when certain actions are excluded from being classified as child abuse under protective services. The bill affects child protective services workers, courts handling juvenile cases, and families involved in child welfare investigations by changing how specific situations are evaluated. These changes aim to provide clearer legal standards for identifying and responding to child welfare concerns. (3 sentences)