Rep. Jordan Harris

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates March 2025 as "Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania. It formally recognizes the month to raise public awareness about colorectal cancer, emphasizing the importance of early screening and prevention based on current health data. The resolution does not create new laws, allocate funding, or directly affect specific groups - it serves as a symbolic gesture to encourage residents to prioritize screenings and adopt preventive health habits. It aligns with national awareness efforts and references recent medical recommendations for screenings starting at age 45.

Maddy summaryHR 12 is a ceremonial resolution recognizing February 2025 as "Black History Month" in Pennsylvania. It does not create new laws or policies but formally acknowledges the month through the House of Representatives. The resolution highlights the historical origins of Black History Month, including Dr. Carter Godwin Woodson's founding of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, and notes the 2025 theme focused on African Americans and labor. This resolution directly affects Pennsylvania residents by designating the month for commemoration, without altering any legal rights or obligations.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Health Insurance Access Protection Act to prevent insurance companies from discriminating against people based on their health status, medical history, or preexisting conditions. It requires insurers to allow individuals and their dependents to enroll in or renew health plans without denying coverage or charging higher premiums due to these health factors. The law also limits how much insurance rates can vary based on age and tobacco use while giving the Insurance Department authority to set specific rating rules and enforce penalties for violations.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act to update the list of protected characteristics, explicitly adding sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, familial status, handicap, disability, and the use of support animals to existing categories like race and age. The legislation directly affects employers, employment agencies, labor organizations, and providers of housing and public accommodations by clarifying that discrimination based on these new and existing traits is unlawful. It reinforces the state's policy of ensuring equal opportunity and mandates that the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission enforce these protections through established procedures and penalties. Additionally, the bill includes provisions to protect religious exercise while maintaining the commission's powers and duties to prevent prejudice and handle complaints.

Maddy summaryHB 2328 establishes the capital budget for Pennsylvania for the fiscal year 2024-2025, setting specific spending limits for various state infrastructure projects. The bill authorizes the state to incur up to $1.495 billion in new debt, with designated amounts allocated for public buildings and structures, furniture and equipment, transportation assistance, redevelopment assistance, and flood control. These funds are drawn from the General Fund or applicable Special Funds and are intended to finance capital improvements specifically listed in the state constitution. The legislation becomes effective on July 1, 2024, or immediately if that date has already passed.

Maddy summaryThis bill restricts public access to eviction records in Pennsylvania by automatically placing such files under limited access seven years after the case is filed or once a judgment is satisfied. It prohibits courts, landlords, and consumer reporting agencies from sharing these records with the public or using them in tenant screening reports, while still allowing access to the parties involved, their attorneys, and specific entities like nonprofit researchers. Landlords are required to notify the court within 30 days if a tenant pays a money judgment in full or vacates the property by the agreed date. The legislation also creates a private right of action for tenants, allowing them to seek damages of up to two months' rent or $5,000, whichever is greater, along with attorney fees, if their eviction records are improperly disclosed.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides state funding for five specific universities for the fiscal years 2023-2024 and 2024-2025, establishing rules for how the money is spent and reported. It requires universities to submit monthly cost estimates and detailed financial statements to the Auditor General, who has the authority to audit expenditures and recover funds used for unauthorized purposes. The legislation also includes specific restrictions, such as prohibiting the University of Pittsburgh from using funds for an environmental law clinic and requiring the University of Pennsylvania to maintain a certain number of non-elected board members with full voting rights. Additionally, the bill mandates that the University of Pennsylvania report how state funds were used to reduce costs for resident students or provide services to them.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Fiscal Code to authorize the Department of General Services to remove specific legal restrictions on a Philadelphia property owned by Programs Employing People, Inc. The legislation allows the state to formally release conditions tied to a 1995 deed that previously required income from the building to be used for mental health services and limited the property's sale or transfer. By clearing these requirements, the bill enables the organization to sell or transfer the real estate at 1200 South Broad Street without needing prior approval from state officials or adhering to the original fund usage mandates.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $31.66 million to the University of Pennsylvania for veterinary activities and an additional $1.893 million for its Center for Infectious Diseases for the 2024-2025 fiscal year. The funding is contingent on the university maintaining four non-elected board members appointed by state legislative leaders who hold full voting rights. Furthermore, the university must provide financial reports and explain how state funds were used to benefit Pennsylvania residents by September 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $87.3 million from the Workmen's Compensation Administration Fund to the Department of Labor and Industry to cover operating costs for the fiscal year 2024-2025. The funds are designated to pay salaries, wages, and other expenses needed to administer the Workers' Compensation Act and the Pennsylvania Occupational Disease Act, while also clearing unpaid bills from the previous year. Additionally, the legislation provides $550,000 to the Office of Small Business Advocate within the Department of Community and Economic Development to support its operations for the same period.