Rep. Tarah Probst

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House Resolution officially designates September 15 through October 15, 2024, as Hispanic Heritage Month within the state. The measure directly affects all Pennsylvanians by formally acknowledging the cultures, history, and contributions of the state's Hispanic and Latino communities. It calls on residents to honor these groups through learning, service, and celebration, recognizing their significant role in the Commonwealth's economy and society. The resolution does not alter laws or policies but serves as a symbolic gesture to highlight the importance of Hispanic heritage.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Adult Protective Services Act to update definitions and administrative duties while establishing a registration system for perpetrators of abuse and neglect. It clarifies terms such as "abuse," "exploitation," and "caregiver" to include specific acts like institutional sexual assault and unauthorized taking of an adult's resources. The legislation also outlines the responsibilities of the Department of Human Services and other agencies in protecting adults aged 18 to 59 with significant physical or mental impairments. Additionally, it mandates the registration of individuals convicted of abusing or neglecting vulnerable adults to enhance accountability and public safety.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Older Adults Protective Services Act to update definitions of abuse, neglect, and exploitation while establishing a new abuse and neglect registry. It clarifies what constitutes harm to older adults, including specific provisions regarding sexual assault in care settings, and expands the list of facilities covered under the law. The legislation also strengthens privacy protections by restricting access to protective services records, allowing only specific staff and employers to view them for registry purposes. These changes directly affect caregivers, facilities, and state agencies responsible for investigating and reporting incidents involving vulnerable seniors.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the text of House Bill 1371 to correct specific errors in the language regarding how certifying officials and agencies process petitions. The changes include updating references to federal definitions, adjusting section numbers, and clarifying that agencies must provide specific details when denying a petition due to a petitioner's failure to provide requested information. These amendments refine the procedural rules for handling certification forms without altering the core purpose of the original legislation.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission to create new rules addressing the management of double utility poles, which occur when old poles remain alongside newly installed replacements because attached infrastructure has not yet been moved. The legislation requires companies that attach services like electricity or cable to these poles to register annually with the commission and provides a framework for utilities to notify them when they must migrate their equipment to new poles. It also establishes procedures for compensating utilities for costs related to removing abandoned attachments and authorizes the commission to impose civil penalties on owners who fail to comply with the new regulations. Additionally, the bill specifies that any costs utilities incur under these rules cannot be passed on to customers through higher rates.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania bill requires public high schools to offer at least one computer science course starting in the 2027-2028 school year. It mandates that the state Department of Education create a strategic plan by July 2026 to expand computer science education to every school within five years, with a specific focus on increasing access for underserved groups such as female students, low-income students, and rural students. The law also requires these courses to meet high-quality standards and includes social media education as part of the curriculum. Additionally, the bill calls for the development of rigorous curriculum guidelines and professional training for teachers to support this new requirement.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Health Care Facilities Act to strengthen the Attorney General's authority in reviewing proposed mergers and acquisitions within the healthcare sector. It establishes a detailed list of factors the Attorney General must evaluate, including potential impacts on prices, service quality, market competition, and access for vulnerable populations. The legislation also requires state agencies like the Department of Aging and the Insurance Department to assist in these reviews while protecting certain documents from public disclosure. Ultimately, the law aims to ensure that large healthcare transactions do not negatively affect patients or the overall public interest.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Live Customer Service Improvement Act, requires businesses in Pennsylvania to offer customers the option to speak with a live person via telephone when they call customer service lines. The law applies specifically to for-profit organizations with more than 100 employees and annual revenues exceeding $10 million, while exempting smaller businesses. Companies must establish a system that allows callers to bypass automated menus and reach an employee directly upon request. Violations of this requirement would be treated as unfair trade practices under existing state consumer protection laws. The new rules will become effective 180 days after the bill is passed.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania laws to strengthen protections for local ecosystems and wildlife by clarifying penalties for illegal activities. It specifically addresses the transport, sale, and release of nonnative fish that harm the environment, as well as the unauthorized importation of game animals and birds. Under the new rules, violating these restrictions generally results in a third-degree misdemeanor, though intentional or negligent violations involving endangered species could lead to a more serious first-degree misdemeanor charge. The legislation applies to individuals who import, sell, or release these animals and establishes that each animal involved in a violation counts as a separate offense. These changes are designed to deter the introduction of invasive species and the illegal trade of wildlife while taking effect 60 days after passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires hospitals, nursing homes, and home health agencies in Pennsylvania to create violence prevention committees to address workplace violence against employees. These committees must include a mix of management, union or elected non-union staff, and direct care workers who will conduct annual risk assessments, track incidents, and develop safety plans. The legislation also mandates that employees report violence within 24 hours, protects reporters from retaliation, and requires facilities to make risk reports public while maintaining records for at least three years. Health facilities that fail to comply with these new reporting and prevention duties face administrative fines of up to $10,000 per violation.