Rep. Ben Waxman

Maddy summaryHB 1117 amends Pennsylvania's 1929 Administrative Code to redefine the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs' responsibilities for addressing substance use disorders. The department must now develop a comprehensive State plan coordinating prevention, treatment, research, and education across all state agencies and local communities - including health, law enforcement, education, and workforce sectors - to avoid duplication. The plan requires annual review and updates, and mandates the department to provide assistance to local governments while collaborating with medical professionals on drug use guidelines. This change formalizes existing coordination efforts under a unified framework, directly affecting state agencies and local entities managing substance use disorder services.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Digital Afterlife Consent and AI Identity Protection Act, restricts digital platforms from using a user's data to create artificial intelligence simulations of them after death or during long periods of inactivity. It requires platforms to obtain explicit, separate consent from users before deploying such simulations and mandates that this consent be revocable at any time or expire two years after the user passes away. Furthermore, the law grants the user's estate the authority to override prior consent, terminate simulations, and request the deletion of AI-generated content, while also requiring clear labels on any content produced by these systems to indicate it is artificial.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates September 2026 as "Newborn Screening Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania to highlight the importance of early health testing for infants. The bill does not alter any laws or change how screening is conducted; instead, it serves as a symbolic gesture to encourage public awareness among parents, healthcare providers, and the community. By recognizing this month, the House of Representatives aims to promote education about newborn screening programs that detect rare but serious conditions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires employers in Pennsylvania to inform the state labor department if any mass layoffs are caused by the use of artificial intelligence or other technological changes. When an employer submits a standard notice about a plant closing or mass layoff, they must also specify whether automation was the reason for the job losses. The law applies to most businesses but excludes seasonal and temporary workers, and it sets daily fines ranging from $500 to $5,000 depending on company size for failing to provide this information.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House Resolution designates June 23, 2026, as Dravet Syndrome Awareness Day to highlight a rare genetic form of epilepsy that affects approximately 20,000 people in the United States. The bill does not change laws or allocate funding but serves to raise public awareness about the condition, which often begins in infancy with temperature-sensitive seizures and can lead to developmental delays. By recognizing this specific date, the resolution aims to honor medical professionals and families impacted by the disease while acknowledging the importance of early diagnosis and comprehensive care.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution that designates the week of September 12 through 18, 2026, as "Neonatal Nurses Week" in Pennsylvania. It aims to honor the work of neonatal nurses who provide specialized care to newborn infants, particularly those in intensive care units with complex health needs. The measure does not change any laws or policies but serves to publicly acknowledge the skills and dedication of these healthcare professionals.

Maddy summaryThis resolution formally recognizes August 2026 as "National Breastfeeding Month" within the state of Pennsylvania. It serves as a symbolic gesture to raise awareness about the health benefits of breastfeeding for infants and mothers, citing recommendations from major medical organizations. The text does not alter any laws or create new programs, but rather acknowledges existing state protections and insurance coverage related to lactation support.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House Resolution designates the week of September 14 through 20, 2026, as "Birth Center Week" to highlight the role of birth centers in maternal healthcare. The measure aims to raise public awareness about these facilities, which offer low-risk, culturally competent care in a home-like setting and are noted for potentially lower costs and reduced cesarean section rates. While the resolution does not alter laws or funding, it formally acknowledges the value of birth centers in addressing maternal health disparities and improving access to care for mothers and newborns.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Human Services Code to give the state department authority to require child care centers to maintain financial reserves or insurance covering at least thirty days of operations. It also mandates that any child care facility planning to close must provide written notice to the department, staff, and parents at least thirty days in advance, including a plan for record preservation. Facilities that fail to give proper notice may face liability for parents' lost wages or care costs during the violation period, except in cases of declared disaster emergencies. These changes directly affect licensed child care centers and family child care homes by establishing new financial and notification requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 2527 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to update the definition of an 'eligible student' for early learning programs. Under the new provisions, a child qualifies if they are at least three years old, younger than the kindergarten entry age in their district, and live in a household earning no more than 400% of the federal poverty level. This legislative change directly affects eligibility criteria for early childhood education funding and services in the state.