Rep. Ben Waxman

Maddy summaryHB 291, also known as "Susan's and Emily's Law," updates Pennsylvania's parking rules to better protect pedestrians and cyclists. It requires vehicles parked next to pedestrian plazas or bike lanes to position their wheels within 12 inches of the buffer zone between the lane and curb, aligned with traffic flow. The bill also clarifies disability parking rules, allowing local governments to restrict access to specific vehicles or license plates and charge reasonable fees while complying with federal disability law. Violations of the new pedestrian/bike lane parking rules carry a $15 fine, while disability parking violations can result in fines of $50-$300.

Maddy summaryHB 470 requires employers with 15 or more employees in Pennsylvania to provide a paid 30-minute meal break or rest period after five consecutive hours of work. This applies to all covered employees, with exemptions for union contracts that already provide equivalent or better break rights and during workplace emergencies. Employers violating the law face penalties of $100-$500 per affected employee per missed break, with additional recovery of lost wages for workers. The bill takes effect 90 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 487 amends Pennsylvania's procurement law to prioritize contracts for supplies manufactured and services performed by organizations employing people with disabilities, directly affecting Commonwealth agencies and disability service providers. The bill requires these contracts to be entered without competitive bidding if people with disabilities make a meaningful contribution to the work, mandates annual reviews for contracts over $300,000 to verify compliance, and phases out the use of federal subminimum wage certificates (14(c)) over two years. It also requires integrated work environments where employees with disabilities interact with non-disabled coworkers in state-contracted workplaces, with annual site visits to monitor compliance. The law aims to strengthen economic opportunities for people with disabilities through state procurement while ensuring fair pricing and accountability.

Maddy summaryHB 443 modifies Pennsylvania's sentencing for second-degree murder convictions, including murder of an unborn child or a law enforcement officer. It reduces maximum sentences: for adults, from life imprisonment to 50 years; for offenders under 18, it sets a maximum of 40 years for those 15+ at the time of crime and 30 years for those under 15. The bill also establishes new parole timelines - 25 years for standard life sentences under this section, 20 years for those under 18 aged 15+, and 15 years for those under 15 - requiring the parole board to prioritize public safety, victim safety, and consider the offender's culpability before granting parole. Additionally, it mandates that victims be notified and given a chance to be heard before parole decisions for these cases.

Maddy summaryHB 423 establishes Pennsylvania's Future Voter Program, allowing high school students aged 16-17 to preregister to vote before turning 18. The bill requires schools to hold voter registration events during Constitution and Citizenship Day (September 17), providing applications and online registration opportunities for eligible students. Students who preregister will not be added to the voter registry until they reach age 18. The program mandates school entities to coordinate these events, with the Secretary of Education and Secretary of the Commonwealth overseeing implementation. This directly affects all high school students in Pennsylvania who are 16 or 17 years old.

Maddy summaryHB 432 establishes Pennsylvania's Maternal Care Access Program under the Department of Health to address gaps in maternal healthcare. The bill identifies counties as "maternal care access zones" using the Maternal Vulnerability Index (based on social factors like poverty, education, and healthcare access) and the Social Vulnerability Index. It requires the Department to develop regulations for improving access to obstetric care, birth centers, and providers in areas classified as "maternity care deserts" (regions lacking hospitals, birth centers, or specialized providers within 25 miles). The program directly affects underserved communities and the Department of Health, focusing on concrete policy changes to expand maternal health resources.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates January 23, 2025, as "Maternal Health Awareness Day" in Pennsylvania. It aims to recognize women who die from pregnancy or childbirth complications, highlighting Pennsylvania's maternal mortality rate of 82 deaths per 100,000 live births and the significantly higher rate (163 per 100,000) for Black women. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but seeks to increase public and healthcare awareness about maternal health risks. It references existing efforts like the Maternal Mortality Review Committee established under Act 24 of 2018.

Maddy summaryHB 390 creates a $1,000 annual tax deduction for Pennsylvania health care providers who volunteer to supervise clinical training for students. It directly affects licensed physicians, nurses, physician assistants, and nurse anesthetists who provide uncompensated, volunteer-based clinical training (minimum 80 hours annually per student) to eligible students in approved programs. The bill establishes a Preceptor Certification Committee within the Department of Health to verify eligibility, process applications within 30 days, and issue certificates confirming the deduction. To claim the deduction, providers must submit this certificate with their tax return, and the deduction cannot exceed the tax owed. The policy change specifically targets volunteer clinical education support without altering tax rates or creating new tax credits.

Maddy summaryHB 389 establishes the New Nursing Faculty Grant Program to support nursing education in Pennsylvania. It provides $10,000 grants to eligible nursing faculty members at accredited medical colleges who are PA residents, employed full-time (or have a pending offer), and have no more than three years of experience. The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) will administer the program, prioritizing positions historically difficult to fill, with applications submitted by nursing program deans. Grants cover professional expenses and aim to increase enrollment capacity at nursing programs.

Maddy summaryHR 42 is a resolution passed by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives urging Congress to exempt Puerto Rico and other noncontiguous territories (like Alaska and Hawaii) from the Jones Act. The Jones Act requires that goods shipped between U.S. ports be transported on vessels built, owned, and crewed by Americans. The resolution states this law imposes significant economic costs - $1.2 billion annually for Hawaii and $1.5 billion for Puerto Rico - by raising prices for goods and increasing the cost of living. It argues the current waiver process for emergencies, made more restrictive in 2023, hinders disaster response in these territories.