Rep. Josh Siegel

Maddy summaryHB 858 requires Pennsylvania county chief assessors to maintain and annually update a public list of property contact information, including owners' names and addresses. This applies directly to county assessors and ensures property owners' contact details are accessible to the public. The bill also imposes penalties for failure to comply with these requirements, aiming to improve transparency in property ownership records.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires law enforcement agencies in Pennsylvania to provide seized individuals with specific documents within 14 days, including a copy of the relevant statute and a sample motion for returning property. The Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts will create and publish this sample motion on its public website, though it will not be the only form courts accept. The law applies to state police, local police departments, and campus police, and it takes effect 60 days after passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits licensed health insurers in Pennsylvania from increasing costs such as premiums, copayments, coinsurance, or deductibles for specific health care services that were already covered under a policy. The law applies to individual and group health insurance plans but excludes self-funded employer plans and other limited benefit policies. Insurers may still raise costs if a service was obtained through fraud or if the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issues a warning about safety or if a drug manufacturer announces a discontinuance. Violations of these rules would be treated as unfair trade practices and could result in a civil penalty of up to $1,000 for the insurer.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the legal definition of an emergency vehicle in Pennsylvania's vehicle code to include a wider range of specific vehicles and personnel. It clarifies that the term covers various types of response vehicles, such as those used for hazardous materials, blood delivery, and prisoner transport, as well as privately owned cars driven by top-ranking officials like police chiefs and fire captains during emergencies. The changes aim to ensure these specific vehicles have the same legal protections and rights as standard emergency vehicles when responding to urgent situations. The new definitions will officially take effect 60 days after the bill is signed into law.

Maddy summaryHB 2084 establishes the Pennsylvania Promise Program, providing scholarships for tuition, fees, and room and board to eligible Pennsylvania residents attending college. It directly affects two groups: students under 24 (or active military) who must be Pennsylvania residents, have a high school diploma, and complete the FAFSA; and adult learners 24 or older seeking reeducation with similar requirements. The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency administers the program and a dedicated fund, covering tuition up to the state's maximum in-state rate and room and board based on agency standards. The program applies to community colleges, state-owned institutions, state-related universities, and Thaddeus Stevens College.

Maddy summaryThis bill would create a state-funded paid family and medical leave program for eligible workers needing time off for health issues, childbirth, or family care. It establishes a dedicated state fund to cover leave costs, creates an advisory board to guide implementation, and assigns oversight to the Department of Labor. The program would directly affect employees in the state who qualify for these leave types, requiring employers to provide the benefits. The bill also specifies penalties for businesses failing to comply with the new requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 1492 amends Pennsylvania's 1951 Landlord and Tenant Act to regulate how landlords use criminal records when screening potential tenants. It would limit the types of criminal records landlords can consider and require the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission to establish guidelines for fair screening practices. The bill also imposes penalties for landlords who violate the new rules and mandates the Commission to monitor compliance with the updated screening standards. This directly affects landlords conducting tenant screenings and tenants whose criminal records might impact their housing applications.

Maddy summaryHB 300 amends Pennsylvania's Human Relations Act to add explicit protections for religious exercise alongside existing anti-discrimination rules. It directly affects employers, housing providers, and businesses offering public accommodations by prohibiting discrimination based on religion in employment, housing, and public services. The bill updates the law to include religious freedom as a protected category under anti-discrimination provisions. It also clarifies the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission's authority to enforce these protections. The amendment does not create new enforcement mechanisms but integrates religious exercise protections into the existing framework of the 1955 Act.

Maddy summaryHB 64 prohibits Pennsylvania employers from punishing employees (including firing, discipline, or threatening adverse actions) for refusing to attend or participate in employer-sponsored meetings about political matters (like elections or party support) or religious matters (like religious affiliation). Employers must post a notice of these rights within 30 days of the law taking effect, and employees can sue for violations like lost wages or retaliation within one year. The bill does not apply to required legal communications, job-related meetings, or voluntary participation in such matters. It allows employees to report violations without fear of retaliation and provides remedies like reinstatement, back pay, or attorney fees.

Maddy summaryHB 1315 (Pennsylvania House Bill 1315) amends Pennsylvania's name change procedures under Title 54 of the Consolidated Statutes. It requires individuals seeking a name change to file a petition in court detailing their reason, current and past residences, and proof of notice publication (unless exempt). The bill specifically creates two automatic exemptions: courts must waive public notice and seal records if the change relates to gender identity (Section 701(a.1)(3)(iv)) or if notice would endanger the petitioner or their child (Section 701(a.1)(3)(iii)). These sealed records remain confidential unless unsealed by court order for "good cause" or at the petitioner's request. The changes apply to petitions filed after the law's effective date.