Rep. Rick Krajewski

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Equal Pay Law to broaden protections against wage discrimination based on sex, race, or ethnicity by expanding the definition of comparable work to include similar working conditions such as exposure to hazards or extreme temperatures. It explicitly prohibits employers from asking job applicants about their prior salary history or requiring them to refrain from discussing their own or others' wages, while still allowing employers to consider voluntarily provided wage information if it supports a higher offer. The legislation also clarifies that job titles alone cannot determine if two roles are comparable and restricts the use of factors like seniority or merit systems if they result in illegal pay gaps without legitimate business justification. Additionally, the bill establishes an Equal Pay Enforcement Fund to support the collection of unpaid wages and outlines specific penalties for violations of these updated rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Pennsylvania laws regarding child welfare, parental rights, and police procedures. It prevents courts from terminating parental rights solely due to a parent's incarceration or lack of resources beyond their control, while also restricting how late efforts to fix problems are weighed in adoption cases. The legislation requires juvenile courts to actively decide whether to file for terminating parental rights during permanency hearings, with specific exceptions for cases involving incarcerated parents who remain involved in their child's life. Additionally, it mandates that law enforcement officers receive training and follow guidelines to identify and ensure the safety of any minor or dependent children present or at risk when arresting a parent or guardian.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania laws to replace the existing Abortion Control Act with a new framework that reorganizes abortion-related offenses under a chapter titled "Reproductive Offenses." It removes previous requirements for informed consent, parental consent, and spousal notification while also eliminating penalties for physicians who perform abortions on fetuses of 24 weeks or more gestational age. The legislation further repeals restrictions on fetal experimentation and changes how insurance regulations are handled regarding abortion services, aiming to provide a clearer legal structure for reproductive health care in the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires mortgage lenders in Pennsylvania who offer reverse mortgages to provide housing counseling to applicants before approving a loan. The counseling must be conducted in person by an agency approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, though telephone or video calls are permitted if an in-person meeting is not feasible. Lenders must also issue a signed certificate documenting the counseling session and keep it on file for the entire duration of the loan. These rules directly affect mortgage loan industry licensees and consumers seeking reverse mortgage products.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies sentencing guidelines and parole rules for specific murder cases in Pennsylvania, including the killing of unborn children and law enforcement officers. It establishes new minimum prison terms for adult offenders, setting a floor of 50 years, and creates age-based minimums for juveniles, ranging from 20 to 30 years depending on their age at the time of the crime. Additionally, the legislation grants the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole the authority to consider parole for these individuals after serving their minimum sentences, provided they meet specific criteria regarding public safety and victim impact. A key provision requires the board to notify victims of the crime and offer them the chance to speak during parole hearings before a decision is made.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a minor technical correction that changes the word "within" to "of" in a specific section of the Administrative Code of 1929. The amendment does not introduce new policies or alter the powers of the Department of General Services regarding water bottle filling stations. Instead, it simply fixes a grammatical error in the existing text of the law. No new programs or funding are created by this change.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs government health programs to cover the cost of medically necessary home blood pressure monitors for pregnant and postpartum individuals. The measure specifically defines "enrollees" as those receiving government-sponsored health care and limits the coverage to devices validated for clinical accuracy. It applies to programs such as the Children's Health Insurance Program and extends the postpartum period to one year following delivery. The changes will become effective 60 days after the bill is enacted.