Rep. Darisha Parker

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new system in Pennsylvania to directly notify car repair shops when a vehicle involved in a fatal or serious hit-and-run accident is brought in for repairs. Under the law, law enforcement must use this system to alert all repair facilities about the make, model, license plate, and damage details of fleeing vehicles, and repair shops are required to register with the state to receive these alerts. If a repair shop identifies a vehicle matching the description sent through the system, they must immediately contact the police, and failing to do so is punishable as a misdemeanor. The legislation is named in memory of Jayanna Powell, a young girl who was killed in a hit-and-run incident in 2016.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's laws to allow the Department of Transportation and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission to use a "design-build best value" method for selecting contractors on highway and bridge projects. Instead of relying solely on the lowest price, agencies can evaluate proposals based on a combination of cost, technical quality, and the ability to meet project goals. The legislation sets specific limits on how many of these new procurements can occur each year and establishes rules for how long agencies must advertise projects before accepting bids. It also introduces new requirements for evaluation committees, ensuring they have enough members and that individuals with recent ties to bidding companies cannot vote on those companies' proposals. Additionally, the bill allows agencies to pay unsuccessful bidders for the time and effort spent preparing their proposals under certain conditions.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's insurance laws to expand health coverage for adult children of policyholders. It requires health insurance policies to keep covering children up to age 26 without denying them based on factors like marital status, residency, or employment. Additionally, the law allows insurers to offer continued coverage until age 29 for unmarried adult children who are full-time students or residents, provided they meet specific eligibility requirements. These changes primarily affect individuals purchasing or renewing health insurance plans and the insurance companies that issue them.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires healthcare providers, including physicians and midwives, to offer pregnant and postpartum patients a standardized screening tool for mood and anxiety disorders in their primary language. It mandates that providers share information about available support resources with patients and, with consent, with their accompanying individuals or designated contacts. The legislation also directs the Department of Health to create a public awareness campaign about perinatal mental health and to maintain an updated list of counseling and assistance services.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Osteopathic Medical Practice Act to change the term "registered" to "licensed" in specific sections of the law. The change directly affects the official title and terminology used to describe osteopathic physicians within the state's regulatory framework. By updating the language, the legislation ensures consistency in how medical professionals are identified in legal documents. The bill does not alter the actual requirements for practicing medicine, only the wording used in the statute.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes a minor technical correction to the Medical Practice Act of 1985 by clarifying the definition of "registered" in the text. The amendment adds the words "licensed" to the phrase, changing it to "registered] licensed" to ensure precise terminology regarding medical professionals. This change does not alter the substantive rules or regulations of the act but serves to improve the accuracy of the legal definitions within the law.

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 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 prohibits drivers from stopping, standing, or parking vehicles in designated bicycle lanes, with exceptions only for emergencies or when directed by law enforcement. The law applies to all vehicles on roads where such lanes exist, aiming to improve safety for cyclists by preventing obstruction. It becomes effective 60 days after the date of enactment.

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.