Rep. Ben Waxman

Maddy summaryHB 1652 adds Gaucher disease to Pennsylvania's mandatory newborn screening program under the Newborn Child Testing Act. The bill expands the existing program to require screening for this genetic disorder in newborns, directly affecting all infants born in Pennsylvania. Key provisions include updating the list of covered conditions under Section 3(a)(1) of the 1965 Act, ensuring healthcare providers screen for Gaucher disease to identify it early. This change aims to enable timely treatment to prevent intellectual or physical disabilities, aligning with the program's existing purpose. The bill does not alter funding or implementation processes, only adding one specific condition to the screening list.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a symbolic resolution designating the week of November 17-21, 2025, as "Certified Public Accountant Week" in Pennsylvania. It directly recognizes the profession of Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) within the state through a formal legislative designation. The resolution has no policy or regulatory impact - it serves solely as a commemorative gesture without imposing new requirements or altering laws. The bill was adopted by the Pennsylvania legislature on November 17, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2030 would allow Pennsylvania to join the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) Interstate Compact, enabling APRNs (like nurse practitioners and anesthetists) to practice across state lines without obtaining separate licenses in each state. This directly affects APRNs working in Pennsylvania and those seeking to practice in other compact states. The bill requires the Governor and Secretary of the Commonwealth to adopt the compact's terms and implement its provisions. If enacted, it would streamline licensing for APRNs providing care in multiple states, reducing administrative barriers for healthcare providers and patients.

Maddy summaryHR 305 is a Pennsylvania legislative resolution designating November 2025 as "Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month" within the state. It does not create new laws or allocate funding, but formally recognizes the month to promote public awareness about pancreatic cancer. The resolution directly affects Pennsylvanians by encouraging community events, education, and support for cancer research and patient advocacy during that period. It was adopted by the state legislature on November 17, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1540 creates a "Buy America, Buy Union" grant program and fund under Pennsylvania's Department of Community and Economic Development. It requires state-funded projects to prioritize American-made materials and union labor by offering grants to qualifying contractors. The bill establishes a dedicated fund to finance these grants, directly affecting state agencies and contractors working on public projects. Key provisions mandate that projects receiving grants must meet specific union labor and domestic sourcing standards, altering how state procurement contracts are awarded. This policy change shifts procurement incentives toward union workers and U.S. manufactured goods for eligible state projects.

Maddy summaryHB 1891, a Pennsylvania firearms bill, aims to amend state laws governing firearm sales and transfers under Title 18. However, the provided context does not include the bill's specific provisions or policy changes, only its procedural history (referred to Judiciary, amended, and laid on the table in November 2025). Without access to the bill's text or detailed amendments, a substantive summary of its mechanisms or affected parties cannot be provided. The bill appears stalled in the legislative process as of its most recent action. For concrete details, the full bill text would be required.

Maddy summaryHB 1385 amends Pennsylvania's juvenile justice laws to clarify definitions and update how courts handle cases involving young people who commit offenses. It directly affects juvenile offenders, courts, and child welfare agencies by standardizing terms like "delinquent child" and specifying court procedures for dispositions. Key provisions include revising legal definitions to reduce ambiguity and establishing clearer guidelines for court decisions on supervision, treatment, or other outcomes for minors. The bill aims to create more consistent and transparent processes within the juvenile justice system. (Note: The bill is currently "laid on the table" and not actively moving forward in the legislative process.)

Maddy summaryHB 2041 amends Pennsylvania's Childhood Blood Lead Test Act to require health care practitioners to ensure children receive at least one blood lead test by 12 months of age and a second test by 24 months of age, with additional testing mandated between 24 and 72 months if not tested by age 2. The bill also requires blood lead testing for pregnant women who have at least one identified lead exposure risk factor. It clarifies that health insurance must cover these tests without cost-sharing, as defined in the bill. This law directly affects children under 72 months, pregnant women, and health care providers in Pennsylvania.

Maddy summaryHB 2008 would create a pilot program allowing schools to establish youth courts to handle minor disciplinary issues involving students, directly affecting participating schools and youth who might otherwise face traditional disciplinary actions. The bill provides grants to schools for implementing these courts, establishes a dedicated Youth Court Program Account to manage funding, and transfers existing state funds into this account to support the initiative. This program aims to offer restorative alternatives to suspensions or referrals to juvenile justice systems for low-level offenses. The bill is currently in the Judiciary committee for review.

Maddy summaryHB 123 amends Pennsylvania's Election Code to authorize municipalities to adopt ranked choice voting (RCV) for local elections. It directly affects cities and towns that choose to implement this voting method, allowing voters to rank candidates in order of preference instead of selecting just one. The bill primarily adds RCV as an option for municipal elections while updating other election procedures like ballot design, electronic voting systems, and vote-counting processes. This change would shift how some local elections are conducted if a municipality passes a local ordinance adopting RCV.