Rep. Sara Innamorato

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new chapter within Pennsylvania's emergency management laws to formalize counterterrorism planning, preparedness, and response efforts. It creates structures for regional and statewide teams, including specialized medical and mortuary units, to handle potential terrorist incidents or disasters. The legislation defines specific agreements that allow local governments and private entities to contribute personnel and resources while receiving compensation and access to state communication centers. Additionally, the bill incorporates federal standards for incident management and authorizes the construction of necessary facilities to support these new emergency response capabilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new state program to provide insurance and financial assistance for property damage caused by landslides and subsidence resulting from coal and clay mining. It creates a dedicated insurance board and fund to administer coverage for homeowners and businesses in affected areas, particularly in southwestern Pennsylvania. The legislation outlines how premiums will be set, how claims will be processed, and how the program will be funded through an insurance fund and a separate assistance fund. Additionally, the bill assigns oversight duties to the Auditor General and allows insurance companies to offer coverage for these specific risks.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as Susan's and Emily's Law, updates Pennsylvania parking rules to protect pedestrian plazas and bicycle lanes. It requires vehicles parked next to these areas to align their wheels within 12 inches of the buffer zone separating them from the parking lane, ensuring they do not obstruct access. The law also clarifies that local authorities can set specific parking configurations and allows designated disabled parking spots to be restricted to particular license plates. Violations of the new alignment rules carry a fine of up to $15, while unauthorized use of disabled parking spaces results in fines ranging from $50 to $200.

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 summaryHB 1032 establishes a new grant program called Solar for Schools to fund solar energy projects at educational institutions. The bill also creates a legal framework requiring owners of solar facilities on leased land to provide financial guarantees that cover the cost of removing the equipment when it stops producing electricity. These financial assurances must remain in place even if the facility is sold to a new owner, ensuring that the original landowner is protected. Additionally, the legislation authorizes the Department of Community and Economic Development to manage these grants and outlines specific rules for solar agreements to prevent future cleanup costs from falling on property owners.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania law creates a new legal mechanism to protect individuals and organizations when they are sued over their public speech, news reporting, or artistic work. It allows people who are wrongly sued to recover their legal fees and, in cases of malicious harassment, potentially punitive damages. The legislation grants immunity from lawsuits to those exercising free speech rights on matters of public concern, provided they can prove the lawsuit lacks merit. However, the law does not apply to government officials acting in their official capacity, businesses selling goods or services, or claims involving bodily injury, trade secrets, or internal corporate disputes. Additionally, it requires state court and legislative offices to update their resources to reflect these new protections.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Fair Contracting for Health Care Practitioners Act, prohibits employers from enforcing noncompete agreements that restrict health care practitioners from working in Pennsylvania. It declares such contracts void if signed on or after the law takes effect, and invalidates older agreements when a practitioner renews their license or certification. While the law bans restrictions on where doctors can work, it still allows employers to recover certain relocation and training costs over a five-year period. Additionally, the bill requires employers to notify patients within 90 days of a doctor's departure, explaining whether the practitioner will remain in the area or be replaced. The legislation also mandates a study by the Health Care Cost Containment Council to further examine these issues.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's domestic relations laws to redefine marriage as a civil contract between two individuals, removing the previous legal requirement that it be between one man and one woman. It directly affects couples by eliminating state barriers to same-sex marriage and repeals the specific provision that declared such unions void within the Commonwealth. The legislation also updates the statutory definition of marriage to reflect this inclusive language while removing the section that stated it was public policy to restrict marriage to opposite-sex couples.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs Pennsylvania's Human Services department to apply for a federal waiver that would allow SNAP and WIC benefit recipients to use their funds to buy diapers or menstrual hygiene products. The legislation authorizes the department to adopt necessary rules once the USDA approves the waiver, ensuring the state can participate in this potential program change. It does not immediately change how benefits are used but establishes the legal framework to implement such a waiver if federal approval is granted.