Rep. Ben Waxman

Maddy summaryHB 1227 amends Pennsylvania's Crane Operator Licensure Act to change the term limits for members of the State Board of Crane Operators. It adds a provision stating that professional and public board members "shall not be eligible to hold more than two consecutive terms," and clarifies that members must be "citizens of the United States and residents of this Commonwealth." This bill directly affects the appointment and tenure of individuals serving on the board, which oversees crane operator licensing. The changes are procedural, not substantive, and do not alter licensing requirements, fees, or safety standards for crane operators.

Maddy summaryHB 1228 amends Pennsylvania's Engineer, Land Surveyor and Geologist Registration Law to update the composition of the State Registration Board that oversees professional licensing. The bill specifies that the board must include five licensed engineers (with no more than two representing any single engineering discipline), two licensed land surveyors, and two licensed geologists, all meeting minimum experience and residency requirements. It also requires three public members appointed by the Governor to serve alongside these professionals. This change affects how board members are selected but does not alter the licensing standards for engineers, surveyors, or geologists.

Maddy summaryHB 1232 amends Pennsylvania's Professional Psychologists Practice Act to change the composition of the State Board of Psychology. The bill specifies that the board must include nine members: eight appointed by the Governor (with Senate approval), comprising two public representatives and six licensed psychologists representing diverse practice areas, plus the Commissioner of Professional and Occupational Affairs as the ninth member. This change clarifies the qualifications and appointment structure for board members. The amendment aims to ensure balanced representation from both the public and the psychology profession in regulating the field.

Maddy summaryHB 1231 amends Pennsylvania's 1987 Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors Act to revise the composition of the State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors. The bill specifies that the 13-member board must include exactly five licensed social workers (with at least one being a clinical social worker), two licensed marriage and family therapists, two licensed professional counselors, one member who rotates between marriage/family therapy and counseling roles, two public members, and the Commissioner of Professional and Occupational Affairs. This change directly affects the licensing oversight board and the professionals regulated under this law, including social workers, marriage therapists, and counselors seeking or maintaining licensure in Pennsylvania.

Maddy summaryHB 1222 amends Pennsylvania's Funeral Director Law by removing a requirement that applicants must be U.S. citizens. The bill changes qualification standards to require only that applicants are at least 21 years old and hold a Pennsylvania high school diploma or equivalent education. This change directly affects individuals seeking funeral director licenses in Pennsylvania who previously faced citizenship barriers. The amendment takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 1225 amends Pennsylvania's Nursing Home Administrators License Act to clarify specific requirements for licensure and temporary permits. It explicitly states that candidates must be U.S. citizens (or have declared intent to become citizens) and meet age, moral character, and education standards under Section 6(a). The bill also clarifies that temporary permits for nursing home administrators require proof of citizenship, age, and good moral character, as outlined in Section 14(a). These changes affect individuals seeking nursing home administrator licensure or temporary permits in Pennsylvania.

Maddy summaryHB 1224 removes a citizenship requirement from Pennsylvania's pharmacist licensing rules. The bill amends the 1961 Pharmacy Act to delete the phrase "and is a citizen of the United States" from the eligibility criteria for pharmacists. This change directly affects individuals applying for pharmacist licenses in Pennsylvania who previously needed U.S. citizenship. The key provision modifies Section 3(a)(1) of the Pharmacy Act to allow licensure based solely on age (21+) and other existing requirements, without requiring U.S. citizenship. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 1277 creates Pennsylvania's first comprehensive plant and pollinator protection law, directly affecting plant merchants, beekeepers, and businesses distributing plants or managed pollinators. The bill requires licenses for these operations, mandates inspections and pest surveys, and establishes a new Plant and Pollinator Protection Committee and dedicated funding account. It replaces outdated bee-related laws with updated provisions for managing pests, invasive species, and enforcing compliance through penalties and "stop orders" for violations. The law also introduces "compliance agreements" to prevent pest spread and repeals older statutes governing bees.

Maddy summaryHB 1245 requires Pennsylvania's Department of Health to partner with healthcare providers - including obstetricians, gynecologists, urologists, and community health centers - to educate individuals about pelvic floor dysfunction and related conditions. The Department must create and distribute accessible informational materials (both online and in print) to people identified by healthcare providers as experiencing or at risk for these conditions, with specific focus on postpartum women. These materials must cover symptoms, treatments, biological processes, and include a recommendation for postpartum pelvic floor assessments. The bill adds this educational duty to the Department's existing responsibilities under the 1929 Administrative Code, without altering current healthcare services or funding.

Maddy summaryHB 1246 requires Pennsylvania public and charter schools to maintain indoor temperatures between 68°F and 79°F in occupied areas to support learning. If temperatures fall below 63°F or exceed 89°F, schools must relocate students/staff within two hours and report the incident to the Department of Environmental Protection within 24 hours. Schools with more than four such relocations in a year will face inspections to ensure compliance with indoor air quality standards. The bill also mandates reviewing short-term fixes (like portable heaters) and long-term solutions (like upgraded heating systems) for extreme temperatures. This applies to all school districts, charter schools, and career technical schools operating in Pennsylvania.