Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler

Maddy summaryThis bill (HB 1384) amends Pennsylvania's juvenile justice laws under Title 42, specifically addressing confinement in juvenile treatment facilities. The bill's title indicates it aims to change how juveniles are confined within these facilities, though the specific provisions or changes to confinement procedures are not detailed in the provided context. It directly affects juveniles involved in the state's juvenile justice system and the facilities that house them. The bill was referred to the Judiciary Committee on June 10, 2025, but the full text and exact mechanisms of the amendment are not included in the available information.

Maddy summaryHB 1568 amends Pennsylvania's Wage Payment and Collection Law to clarify when employers must pay employees who are terminated or leave their job before the next scheduled payday. The bill specifies that final paychecks must be issued by a defined deadline, ensuring workers receive earned wages promptly without delay. This directly affects employees who separate from their job before payday and their employers, who must comply with the updated payment timeline. The bill was referred to the Labor & Industry committee on June 9, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 463 prohibits "speculative ticketing," which involves buying event tickets to resell them at significantly higher prices before the event occurs. It directly affects consumers who face inflated prices and ticket sellers engaging in this practice. The bill amends the Unfair Trade Practices Law to ban buying or selling tickets for profit based on anticipated demand, not actual ownership. The bill passed the House on June 4, 2025, and is now pending review by the Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure committee.

Maddy summaryHB 1096 creates the Pennsylvania Food Bucks Program, which provides financial assistance to low-income residents for purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables at participating retailers. The bill establishes a dedicated "Pennsylvania Food Bucks Program Account" within the state treasury to fund the program and requires the state to conduct research on the program's effectiveness. It directly affects eligible low-income Pennsylvanians and participating farmers and retailers by expanding access to healthy food options. The law, which passed on June 3, 2025, focuses on concrete policy changes: creating the program structure, securing funding through the new account, and mandating program evaluation.

Maddy summaryHB 1140 requires health insurers and Medicaid/CHIP managed care plans in Pennsylvania to cover all FDA-approved contraceptives - including prescription drugs, devices, emergency contraception (like levonorgestrel), and oral contraceptives - without any out-of-pocket costs for enrollees. It specifically prohibits prior authorization or step therapy for emergency and oral contraceptives, and mandates coverage for sterilization procedures and related services like counseling. The bill directly affects health insurers, managed care plans, and their enrollees by expanding contraceptive coverage under state insurance regulations. It exempts male condoms from coverage requirements but ensures no cost-sharing for covered contraceptive methods.

Maddy summaryHB 180 replaces Pennsylvania’s existing school lunch and breakfast reimbursement system with a new Universal School Meal Program, ensuring all public school students in the state can receive free meals regardless of family income or unpaid meal debt. The bill requires school districts to provide meals to any student who requests one (unless parents specifically withhold consent in writing) and prohibits schools from stigmatizing students with meal debt through wristbands, public identification, or denying activities like sports or graduation. It bans collecting fees, interest, or using collections agencies for unpaid meal costs, and mandates schools help families apply for assistance instead of pursuing debt. This directly affects over 1.5 million Pennsylvania public school students and their school districts, shifting from a means-tested system to universal access.

Maddy summaryHB 1524 amends the Public Transportation Assistance Fund provisions within Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code of 1971. The bill revises how funds are managed or allocated for public transportation programs, directly affecting state transportation agencies and public transit providers receiving these funds. It modifies specific sections of the existing tax code governing this dedicated fund. The bill was recently referred to the Transportation committee for further consideration. (3 sentences)

Maddy summaryHB 1523 would impose an excise fee on rides provided by transportation network companies (TNCs) like Uber or Lyft in Pennsylvania. The bill amends specific sections of state law related to municipalities, public utilities, and transportation to require this fee to be collected on each ride. The fee would directly affect TNC operators, who would be responsible for paying and collecting it from riders. This policy change creates a new revenue stream for transportation-related funds under the amended statutes.

Maddy summaryHB 1506 would require Pennsylvania state and county correctional facilities to provide affordable communication services, such as phone calls or video visits, for inmates. This bill directly affects incarcerated individuals and their families by improving access to regular contact. The key provision mandates that all correctional institutions must offer these services at reasonable rates, aiming to support family connections during incarceration. The bill is currently under review by the Communications & Technology committee.

Maddy summaryHB 1518 amends Pennsylvania's driver licensing laws under Title 75 of the Consolidated Statutes. It focuses on updating procedures for applying for driver's licenses or learner's permits, as well as modifying the content, expiration, and renewal processes for licenses. The bill directly affects Pennsylvania drivers who apply for or renew their licenses. The provided context does not include specific provisions or mechanisms of the bill, only its title and referral to the Transportation committee.