Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler

Maddy summaryThis bill would create a state-funded paid family and medical leave program for eligible workers needing time off for health issues, childbirth, or family care. It establishes a dedicated state fund to cover leave costs, creates an advisory board to guide implementation, and assigns oversight to the Department of Labor. The program would directly affect employees in the state who qualify for these leave types, requiring employers to provide the benefits. The bill also specifies penalties for businesses failing to comply with the new requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows public utilities in Pennsylvania to recover certain advertising and lobbying expenses from their customers through utility rates, subject to specific conditions. It requires utilities to file detailed reports with the state commission listing all advertising and lobbying expenditures, including employee hours and third-party vendor payments. The law prohibits utilities from charging consumers for expenses related to political campaigns, trade association memberships, executive travel, and other specified costs. Utilities with more than 75,000 customers must submit annual reports detailing lobbying and political activity costs, while all utilities proposing rate changes must disclose their advertising plans and spending.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code to increase personal income tax rates for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025. It raises the tax rate for residents and nonresidents from 3.7% to 9.7% on all income, while maintaining a 3.7% rate for specific income categories. The legislation also clarifies how trust income is taxed by aligning Pennsylvania rules with federal Internal Revenue Code provisions regarding grantor trusts.

Maddy summaryHB 300 amends Pennsylvania's Human Relations Act to add explicit protections for religious exercise alongside existing anti-discrimination rules. It directly affects employers, housing providers, and businesses offering public accommodations by prohibiting discrimination based on religion in employment, housing, and public services. The bill updates the law to include religious freedom as a protected category under anti-discrimination provisions. It also clarifies the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission's authority to enforce these protections. The amendment does not create new enforcement mechanisms but integrates religious exercise protections into the existing framework of the 1955 Act.

Maddy summaryHB 289 requires all Pennsylvania public, charter, and private schools to test for radon gas in existing buildings starting with the 2026-2027 school year. If radon levels reach 4 picocuries per liter or higher, schools must install mitigation systems and retest until levels fall below that threshold, with new schools required to use radon-resistant construction. Testing must be done by certified professionals using specific protocols, and results must be shared with school boards, parents, teachers, and health officials. Schools with low radon levels must retest every five years, while those needing mitigation must retest every two years. This law directly affects all Pennsylvania school entities and aims to reduce exposure to radon, a radioactive gas linked to lung cancer.

Maddy summaryHB 64 prohibits Pennsylvania employers from punishing employees (including firing, discipline, or threatening adverse actions) for refusing to attend or participate in employer-sponsored meetings about political matters (like elections or party support) or religious matters (like religious affiliation). Employers must post a notice of these rights within 30 days of the law taking effect, and employees can sue for violations like lost wages or retaliation within one year. The bill does not apply to required legal communications, job-related meetings, or voluntary participation in such matters. It allows employees to report violations without fear of retaliation and provides remedies like reinstatement, back pay, or attorney fees.

Maddy summaryHB 501 amends Pennsylvania's Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act to update definitions and clarify requirements for renewable energy compliance. It specifically adds "advanced reactor" (including small modular reactors) to eligible energy sources, refines criteria for low-impact hydropower, and updates definitions for biomass, biogas, and alternative energy credits. The bill affects electric utilities required to meet portfolio standards by specifying which energy sources count toward compliance and how credits are calculated. These changes aim to modernize the framework for renewable energy reporting and incentives without altering current percentage targets. The bill is currently in committee review (Environmental & Natural Resource Protection).

Maddy summaryHB 632 amends Pennsylvania's prostitution laws to increase penalties for individuals who knowingly engage in prostitution while aware they have HIV or AIDS. Specifically, it upgrades certain offenses to a third-degree felony (previously a misdemeanor) when the person knew their HIV-positive status at the time of the offense. The bill also creates a resentencing process for people previously convicted under the same provision but now eligible for misdemeanor sentencing if they've completed their sentences and meet specific criteria. This directly affects individuals convicted of prostitution-related offenses who knew their HIV status under the prior law.

Maddy summaryHB 80 would authorize Pennsylvania to join the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact. This compact allows licensed audiologists and speech-language pathologists to practice in other participating states without obtaining separate licenses for each state. The bill directly affects these healthcare professionals and their patients, streamlining cross-state practice for providers. It creates a standardized process for reciprocity among member states, eliminating redundant licensing requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 660 establishes minimum energy and water efficiency standards for specific products sold in Pennsylvania, directly affecting businesses that sell or install these items. The bill covers commercial equipment like dishwashers, fryers, and ovens, as well as residential products including faucets, showerheads, and water coolers. It requires these products to meet defined efficiency levels to reduce energy/water waste, save consumers money, and lower environmental impact, with fines for non-compliance. The law updates existing rules but excludes products sold outside Pennsylvania, used items, and certain installations like mobile homes.