Rep. Ben Waxman

Maddy summaryHB 1638 requires pharmacies and dispensers to display a provider's healthcare practice name instead of their personal name on prescription labels for mifepristone, misoprostol, or their generic alternatives. This applies to any licensed provider (including physicians or prescribers) who requests this change for reproductive medication prescriptions. The law mandates that dispensers comply with such requests, effectively shielding the provider's identity on the label. It takes effect 30 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 1645 protects licensed healthcare professionals in Pennsylvania from losing their licenses or facing disciplinary action for providing reproductive health care services, including abortion. The bill prohibits licensing boards from disciplining individuals who assist in such services, even if they were sanctioned in another state for the same work when it would have been legal in Pennsylvania. It defines "reproductive health care services" to include medical care related to pregnancy, contraception, and termination of pregnancy. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 1624 would require companies and service providers (like apps or websites) to obtain explicit permission before collecting or using people's location data. It directly affects digital services that track user movements, such as navigation apps or location-based advertisers. The law establishes penalties for violations, allows individuals to sue companies that break the rule, and gives the Attorney General authority to enforce it. Violations could result in fines, with the bill specifying these enforcement mechanisms.

Maddy summaryHB 1402 reduces the maximum fee for reviewing teacher certification applications under Pennsylvania's Public School Code to $50. It also creates a special exemption for military service members, veterans, and their spouses, requiring them to pay no more than $10 for certification fees and $25 for professional discipline fees. These changes directly affect educators seeking or maintaining teaching credentials in Pennsylvania public schools. The bill modifies existing sections of the 1949 Public School Code to implement these specific fee caps and exemptions.

Maddy summaryHB 846 amends Pennsylvania's Prevailing Wage Act to clarify job definitions, specify how prevailing wages are calculated for public construction projects, and detail the Labor Secretary's responsibilities. It directly affects construction workers, contractors, and state agencies managing public works by updating administrative processes. The bill makes technical changes to implementation without altering the core requirement that public projects pay local standard wages. These updates aim to improve consistency in applying the existing law across state-funded projects.

Maddy summaryHB 704 creates a new Neurodegenerative Disease Research Program and a dedicated funding mechanism within the Department of Health to support research on conditions like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. The bill directs the Department of Health to manage the program and administer the Neurodegenerative Disease Research Program Fund, which will provide grants for scientific studies. This legislation directly affects researchers, medical institutions, and patients seeking treatments for neurodegenerative diseases by establishing a formal structure for funding and coordinating research efforts. The bill passed the legislature in June 2025 and is now pending final action by the Governor.

Maddy summaryHB 967 amends Pennsylvania's 1968 Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law by adding or refining specific definitions within the statute. This definitional update directly affects consumers and businesses operating under the law, as clearer definitions help determine what constitutes unfair trade practices. The bill does not introduce new prohibitions or penalties but clarifies existing legal terms to improve application of the law. As a procedural amendment focused solely on definitions, it does not create new policy requirements or alter substantive protections.

Maddy summaryHB 1364 reorganizes Pennsylvania's transportation funding by reallocating money from the Public Transportation Trust Fund to support road and bridge projects. It creates two new funds (the Road and Bridge Project Fund and its Sinking Fund), allows a state agency to issue bonds for infrastructure work, and establishes a Transportation Funding Advisory Commission to guide spending. The bill directly affects how the state finances road repairs and bridge maintenance, adjusting fund distributions and adding oversight. Key changes include authorizing bond sales for projects and requiring the Department of Transportation to follow new allocation rules. These provisions aim to streamline and increase funding for transportation infrastructure without specifying particular projects or outcomes.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates June 16-22, 2025, as "Pollinator Week" in Pennsylvania. It does not create new laws or policies but formally recognizes the importance of pollinators like bees and butterflies. The resolution aims to raise public awareness about pollinator conservation efforts within the state. It directly affects Pennsylvania residents by highlighting this annual observance through state communications and community activities.

Maddy summaryHB 1621 amends Pennsylvania's Workers' Compensation Act to require that informational materials about workers' compensation procedures be provided in multiple languages. This directly affects non-English speaking workers and employers who need to understand claim processes, injury reporting, and benefits. The key provision mandates adding multilingual versions of standard informational documents to ensure accessibility. The bill focuses on improving communication clarity within the existing workers' compensation system without changing benefit amounts or eligibility rules.