Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler

Maddy summaryHB 138 amends Pennsylvania laws governing adoption proceedings and juvenile cases. It changes the legal grounds for ending parental rights before an adoption petition is filed and updates how courts handle children deemed dependent (in need of care). The bill specifically targets procedures in domestic relations (Title 23) and court processes (Title 42) related to these cases. No specific new provisions or changes are detailed in the provided context beyond the title's description of its scope. The bill is currently under review by the Children & Youth committee.

Maddy summaryHB 133 amends Pennsylvania's adoption laws to change how birth parents can legally give up parental rights before an adoption petition is filed. It creates an alternative process for relinquishment to adoptive adults and clarifies procedures for terminating parental rights involuntarily. The bill also adds a specific mechanism for parents to seek reinstatement of their rights after relinquishment. This directly affects birth parents, prospective adoptive parents, and children involved in adoption proceedings under Pennsylvania law.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Pennsylvania electric distribution companies to create and implement virtual power plant programs by July 1, 2027, which allow customers with eligible energy technologies like solar panels or batteries to participate in grid services. The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission will review and approve these proposals within 180 days, requiring companies to set enrollment targets and include mechanisms for existing demand response programs. Participants can receive compensation for providing services such as peak load reduction, voltage support, and emergency grid services, with special provisions for low-income customers and disadvantaged communities to receive enhanced upfront payments. The program will establish operational rules for when and how often grid events can occur, including limits on event duration and advance notice requirements, while allowing customers to disenroll without penalties for nonperformance.

Maddy summaryHB 2226 amends Pennsylvania's Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law to explicitly prohibit pyramid schemes and similar deceptive promotional plans. The bill adds a new definition clarifying that schemes where participants pay to join and earn compensation primarily by recruiting others (rather than through product sales) are illegal, including "chain-letter plans," "pyramid clubs," and "pyramid promotional schemes." This change directly affects businesses operating such schemes and protects consumers from being misled by these fraudulent programs. The amendment specifically bans practices like requiring participants to pay for "opportunities" to recruit others, while excluding minimal initial payments of $25 or less.

Maddy summaryHB 2028 amends Pennsylvania law to establish permitted uses for public spaces (like parks or sidewalks) and clarifies when local governments can be sued for actions affecting the public. It directly affects local governments (cities, counties) and individuals or groups seeking to use public areas for events or activities. The key provision creates specific exceptions to government "sovereign immunity," meaning governments can be held liable in court for certain actions under defined circumstances. This changes how public space access is regulated and sets clearer rules for when government entities face legal accountability.

Maddy summaryHB 1460, the Health System Protection Act, requires health care entities (like hospitals and clinics) and certain investors (such as private equity firms) to obtain pre-approval from Pennsylvania's Department of Health and Attorney General before completing major transactions. This applies to sales of assets worth $10 million or more, ownership changes, or large financial distributions that could affect competition, costs, or access to care. The law prohibits transactions deemed "against the public interest," such as those reducing competition, raising prices, or limiting services in rural or low-income areas. Health care entities must either file a notification with a waiting period or get written approval before proceeding.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law to specifically define "dynamic pricing" and regulate its use in physical retail stores. It defines dynamic pricing as prices that change in near real-time based on fluctuating conditions, while explicitly excluding standard promotional discounts or loyalty program benefits. Under the new rules, retailers cannot use electronic displays in their brick-and-mortar locations to show prices that can be remotely altered by automated systems using this method. The legislation aims to clarify what constitutes deceptive pricing practices for the Attorney General and District Attorneys to enforce, and it will take effect 60 days after being signed into law.

Maddy summaryHB 95 amends Pennsylvania's Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law to require clear disclosure when AI-generated content (like text, images, or videos) is created, distributed, or published. It directly affects businesses, creators, and platforms using AI tools to produce content for consumers in Pennsylvania. The bill adds new definitions, including that "artificial intelligence" means technology creating new content via predictive algorithms, and specifies that disclosures must be "clear and conspicuous" - meaning they must be visible upfront, easy to understand, and match the content's medium (e.g., visible text, audible audio). This change updates existing consumer protection rules to address AI-generated content transparency.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires electric distribution companies in Pennsylvania to create and publish online maps showing how much additional power their local grids can support. These maps must be updated every two months and include details on available capacity, existing power sources, and any grid limitations that could affect new connections. The legislation also mandates that utilities provide clear, standardized information about reliability issues and planned upgrades to help customers and businesses plan their energy needs. Additionally, the bill establishes a process for individuals to request specific grid data and ensures that utilities cannot unfairly deny access to this information.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Radiation Protection Act to update definitions and establish new fees for nuclear facilities and radioactive material transport. It clarifies the definition of independent spent fuel storage installations and requires operators of nuclear power reactor sites to pay annual fees to the Department of Environmental Resources, with specific amounts set for sites that still store spent fuel. Additionally, the legislation mandates that shippers of spent nuclear fuel and other radioactive materials pay a fee for each vehicle, railroad, or barge shipment moving through the state. The bill also introduces a cost recovery mechanism for shut-down reactors, allowing the agency to charge owners for incident response costs if all spent fuel has been moved to approved dry cask storage. These changes aim to generate revenue for radiation safety programs and emergency preparedness without altering the core regulatory authority of the state.