Rep. Tarik Khan

Maddy summaryHB 471 allocates $1,000,000 from the General Fund to fund veterans' service officer programs in Pennsylvania. This bill directly affects veterans' service organizations that assist military veterans in accessing benefits and services. The key provision transfers the specified funds to the relevant department to support these programs under Title 51 of Pennsylvania law. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 291, also known as "Susan's and Emily's Law," updates Pennsylvania's parking rules to better protect pedestrians and cyclists. It requires vehicles parked next to pedestrian plazas or bike lanes to position their wheels within 12 inches of the buffer zone between the lane and curb, aligned with traffic flow. The bill also clarifies disability parking rules, allowing local governments to restrict access to specific vehicles or license plates and charge reasonable fees while complying with federal disability law. Violations of the new pedestrian/bike lane parking rules carry a $15 fine, while disability parking violations can result in fines of $50-$300.

Maddy summaryHB 470 requires employers with 15 or more employees in Pennsylvania to provide a paid 30-minute meal break or rest period after five consecutive hours of work. This applies to all covered employees, with exemptions for union contracts that already provide equivalent or better break rights and during workplace emergencies. Employers violating the law face penalties of $100-$500 per affected employee per missed break, with additional recovery of lost wages for workers. The bill takes effect 90 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 201 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to update how intermediate units (regional education agencies) manage facilities and receive state funding. It expands boards' authority to acquire land/buildings through purchase, lease, or gift (Section 914-A(11)), and requires pre-approval from the Secretary of Education for lease/loan agreements involving office, classroom, or warehouse space (Section 919.1-A(a)). The bill revises the capital subsidy calculation: the state will allocate funds based on each intermediate unit's student enrollment multiplied by the median per-student instructional cost across all districts, then applying a 0.03% rate. This directly affects intermediate units and school districts using their facilities, changing both facility management rules and state funding distribution.

Maddy summaryHB 190 requires Pennsylvania schools to annually provide eating disorder awareness and education materials to parents, guardians, and key school staff (like counselors and principals) for students in grades 6-12. The bill mandates that schools share this information via email, mail, or website, using materials developed by the Department of Health in collaboration with an advisory committee of experts from groups like the National Alliance for Eating Disorders and school health organizations. These materials must explain warning signs, resources, prevention, and be available in multiple languages. The law directly affects all public, charter, cyber, and nonpublic schools in Pennsylvania, aiming to improve early recognition and support for students facing eating disorders.

Maddy summaryHB 487 amends Pennsylvania's procurement law to prioritize contracts for supplies manufactured and services performed by organizations employing people with disabilities, directly affecting Commonwealth agencies and disability service providers. The bill requires these contracts to be entered without competitive bidding if people with disabilities make a meaningful contribution to the work, mandates annual reviews for contracts over $300,000 to verify compliance, and phases out the use of federal subminimum wage certificates (14(c)) over two years. It also requires integrated work environments where employees with disabilities interact with non-disabled coworkers in state-contracted workplaces, with annual site visits to monitor compliance. The law aims to strengthen economic opportunities for people with disabilities through state procurement while ensuring fair pricing and accountability.

Maddy summaryHB 442 establishes a new Pharmaceutical Collection Sites Educational Program within Pennsylvania's Department of State to help pharmacies understand how to modify their federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) registrations. The program will assist pharmacies in learning to accept mail-back packages for prescription drugs and install collection receptacles for safe disposal, as requested by the State Board of Pharmacy. This bill directly affects pharmacies that dispense prescription medications and the State Board of Pharmacy, which will coordinate with the program. The key provision adds this educational role as a specific duty for the Department of State under the Administrative Code of 1929.

Maddy summaryHB 444 requires most health insurance policies covering hospital or medical/surgical services to include coverage for postacute neurorehabilitation following an acquired brain injury. This includes specific therapies like cognitive rehabilitation, neurobehavioral treatment, and community reintegration services, with no arbitrary limits on the number of covered days if medically necessary. Insurers must verify providers are accredited through recognized programs (e.g., Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities) and cannot apply stricter deductibles or copays than other covered benefits. The requirement does not apply to policies like dental, vision, workers’ compensation, or accident-only coverage.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a symbolic resolution (not a law) designating February 27, 2025, as "Dominican Republic Independence Day" within Pennsylvania. It directly affects Pennsylvania residents by formally recognizing this date to honor the Dominican Republic's independence from Haiti in 1844 and the cultural contributions of the state's Dominican-American community. The resolution includes historical context about the Dominican Republic's founding and highlights the community's economic and cultural ties to Pennsylvania. It has no financial, regulatory, or policy impact - it is purely commemorative.

Maddy summaryHB 457 amends Pennsylvania's Liquor Code to require new labeling on alcohol containers for distilleries, wineries, bonded warehouses, and alcohol transporters. The labels must include the manufacturer's name, alcohol type and quantity, production date, license number, and a clear cancer warning: "WARNING: There is a direct link between alcohol and fatal cancers." This applies to all containers ready for shipment and those held in wholesale quantities. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.