Rep. Lindsay Powell

Maddy summaryThis bill designates Allegheny River Boulevard in western Pennsylvania as an official scenic byway to recognize its scenic, historic, and recreational value. The primary mechanism of the law restricts the placement of outdoor advertising signs near the road to preserve the visual quality of the route, with specific distance limits and exceptions for official signs, real estate listings, and directional markers. Additionally, the legislation requires state travel maps to highlight this route and explain the reasons for its designation. The changes directly affect property owners along the corridor and state agencies responsible for transportation and tourism mapping.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits employers in Pennsylvania from punishing, disciplining, or retaliating against employees for refusing to attend meetings or listen to communications about religious or political topics. It defines "voluntary" participation as attendance that is not incentivized by benefits or threatened with negative employment consequences, ensuring employees can opt out without fear of reprisal. To enforce these protections, the law allows aggrieved workers to sue for remedies like reinstatement and back pay, while also requiring employers to post a notice explaining these rights. Additionally, the bill mandates that the Department of Labor and Industry investigate complaints and provides a framework for interested parties to report violations.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Health Insurance Core Benefits Coverage Act to require all individual and group health insurance policies in Pennsylvania to cover a specific set of essential services. These mandatory benefits include emergency care, hospitalization, prescription drugs, mental health treatment, and preventive services, ensuring that plans are at least as comprehensive as those first offered in the state in 2020. The Insurance Department is authorized to adjust these requirements through regulations by considering factors such as population health needs, potential discrimination, and medical advancements. Insurers that fail to comply with these coverage standards face penalties, while the law explicitly excludes limited policies like dental-only or accident-only plans from these mandates.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Housing Authorities Law to expand relocation protections for tenants experiencing domestic or sexual violence. It allows tenants to request emergency transfers if they were victimized on or near their premises within the last 180 days or if they reasonably fear imminent harm. The legislation establishes specific documentation requirements, such as police reports or third-party certifications, to verify abuse while also permitting a simple tenant statement if no conflicting information exists. Additionally, the bill mandates that housing authorities assist victims in connecting with local support organizations and may release tenants from their leases upon qualification.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the existing Pharmacy Audit Integrity and Transparency Act to refine how pharmacy audits and fees are handled. It clarifies that certain insurance supplements are excluded from specific terms and changes the notice period for additional fees from the time of claim adjudication to thirty days before the fees are applied. The legislation also updates definitions to refer to "generic" drugs instead of "general" ones and expands the scope of federal employee benefit protections. Additionally, it adjusts reporting requirements for pharmacy benefit managers and the state agency overseeing these audits.

Maddy summaryHB 2491 amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code to exempt sales and use taxes on building materials, supplies, and services purchased by construction contractors for affordable housing projects. This change directly affects contractors working on projects that meet the state's legal definition of affordable housing, allowing them to avoid paying sales tax on these specific items. The bill does not alter tax rates or create new taxes but instead clarifies and expands existing exclusions to support the construction and maintenance of designated affordable housing.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a comprehensive study on the growth and changes of short-term rentals across the Commonwealth. The study will examine current market data, existing local ordinances, state laws, and the impacts of these rentals on the economy, affordable housing, and traditional tourism. The commission is required to submit a report with its findings and recommendations to the Governor and various legislative committee chairs within 180 days of the bill's adoption.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania bill expands stalking laws and introduces a new crime called unauthorized location tracking to address privacy concerns regarding digital surveillance. The stalking provisions clarify that repeated acts intended to cause fear or emotional distress are criminal offenses, with penalties increasing to a felony for repeat offenders or those with prior violent convictions. Additionally, the bill makes it a misdemeanor to use technology to monitor another person's location without permission, though it includes specific exceptions for law enforcement investigations, court-ordered supervision, and parents tracking their own children. These changes aim to provide clearer legal tools for protecting individuals from harassment and invasive tracking while allowing for legitimate uses like parental monitoring and fleet management.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Pennsylvania Small Business Innovation Grant and Small Business Technology Transfer Matching Funds Program to offer financial support to local small businesses participating in federal research initiatives. Administered by the Department of Community and Economic Development, the program provides matching grants of up to $50,000 to businesses that have received Phase I awards from the Small Business Administration for federal research projects. To qualify, companies must be headquartered in Pennsylvania, commit to keeping at least 51% of their research work within the state, and submit specific reports demonstrating their ability to advance the project to Phase II. The legislation also sets limits on funding, allowing each business to receive only one grant per year and a maximum of five total awards, with funds released in installments tied to project milestones.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates June 15, 2024, as Elder Abuse Awareness Day in Pennsylvania to highlight the issue of harm or neglect against older adults. It does not create new laws or change existing policies but serves to draw public attention to the prevalence of elder abuse and the resources available for reporting it. The measure aims to encourage daily awareness and education about preventing abuse in the state's aging population.