Rep. Darisha Parker

Maddy summaryHB 1078 updates Pennsylvania's school health requirements to strengthen vision screening and eye health examinations for students. It mandates annual vision screenings by trained school personnel for all school-aged children, with comprehensive eye exams by licensed professionals required if screenings fail. The bill specifies that students must receive eye health exams upon school admission, in fourth grade, and eighth grade, and adds requirements for exams related to special education evaluations. Schools must notify parents of failed screenings and provide resources, but are not responsible for covering exam costs or treatment. This directly affects all public and nonpublic school students in Pennsylvania.

Maddy summaryHB 1070 requires all health insurance policies covering maternity benefits in Pennsylvania to provide 24 additional hours of elective postpartum observation and care beyond the existing 48-96 hours of inpatient coverage, starting January 1, 2026. It also prohibits hospitals from involuntarily discharging postpartum patients or newborns between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m., with billing under "observation status" if discharge is refused. The bill directly affects mothers, newborns, hospitals, and health insurers by extending coverage duration and restricting nighttime discharges. The Department of Human Services must seek a federal waiver to extend government program coverage for this additional 24-hour period.

Maddy summaryHR 150 is a Pennsylvania House resolution designating April 11-17, 2025, as "Black Maternal Health Week" to highlight the disproportionate maternal health disparities affecting Black women and birthing persons in the state. It references Pennsylvania data showing Black women face maternal mortality rates twice as high as White women (148 vs. 74 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2020) and higher morbidity rates. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but aims to raise public awareness about preventable maternal health outcomes. It specifically targets state-level attention to this crisis, citing local statistics from Philadelphia and Allegheny Counties. As a symbolic resolution, it has no binding effect but seeks to spur broader discussion and action.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a grant program to provide free menstrual products (such as pads and tampons) in Pennsylvania public schools. Schools with 25% or more students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch programs can apply for grants to purchase these products and install dispensers or disposal units. Recipients must report annual spending on products and dispenser maintenance to the state. The program is funded by a state appropriation for the 2025-2026 fiscal year.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates March 2025 as "Women's History Month" in Pennsylvania. It is a ceremonial measure with no binding policy changes, funding, or new programs. The resolution invites all Pennsylvanians to reflect on women's contributions to the state's and nation's economic, cultural, and social development. It does not affect specific groups or create legal obligations, as it is purely symbolic recognition.

Maddy summaryHB 1051 amends Pennsylvania's firearm sale laws to address electronic system failures during background checks. It requires gun dealers to use a specific one-page form for buyers when the instant check system is unavailable, including basic personal details (name, address, birthdate) but not firearm type, and send the original copy to the Pennsylvania State Police within 14 days. The bill also increases the firearm sales surcharge from $3 to $10 per transaction, with funds going to a dedicated "Firearm Instant Records Check Fund." These changes directly affect gun dealers, buyers, and the Pennsylvania State Police during background check system outages.

Maddy summaryHB 118 amends Pennsylvania's Child Labor Act to increase penalties for employers violating child labor laws. It raises the fine for first-time violations from $500 to $1,000 per violation and increases penalties for repeat offenses to $3,000 per violation or up to 10 days in jail. The bill directly affects employers who hire minors in prohibited work situations. These changes are concrete policy adjustments to enforcement, not new work restrictions. The amendment takes effect 30 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 618, the Health Insurance Access Protection Act, prohibits health insurers from denying coverage or charging higher premiums based on a person's health condition, including preexisting conditions. This law applies to both individual and group health insurance policies, protecting enrollees and their dependents from discrimination in enrollment or pricing. The Insurance Department and Commissioner are tasked with enforcing these rules, and the bill includes penalties for insurers that violate the prohibitions.

Maddy summaryHB 1008 updates Pennsylvania's vehicle registration renewal process by requiring the state Department of Motor Vehicles to send renewal notices 60 days before expiration, plus weekly text or email reminders (if contact info is on file) until renewal is completed. It applies to all vehicle owners in Pennsylvania, with commercial vehicles additionally requiring self-certification of safety inspections during renewal. The bill specifies that failing to receive a notice does not excuse the owner from renewing registration on time. This procedural change aims to reduce expired registrations through clearer communication, effective 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Minimum Wage Act to establish new salary thresholds for employees classified as exempt in executive, administrative, or professional roles, affecting employers and workers in these positions. It defines "executive capacity" as requiring management duties, directing two or more employees, and having hiring/firing authority, with a minimum weekly salary starting at $844 (effective October 2027), rising to $1,128 by 2029, and then adjusting every three years based on Pennsylvania's 10th percentile wage for exempt workers. Employers may meet up to 10% of the salary requirement through nondiscretionary bonuses, incentives, or commissions paid annually. The bill does not alter minimum wage rates for non-exempt workers but clarifies exemption criteria for specific job classifications.