Rep. Dan Frankel

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Health Care Facilities Act to change licensing requirements specifically for abortion facilities. It removes the mandate that these facilities must have transfer agreements with nearby hospitals and eliminates the requirement for physicians and medical staff working there to hold admitting privileges at a hospital. Additionally, the legislation repeals an existing state regulation related to these licensing standards. These changes directly impact how abortion clinics are regulated and the operational requirements for their medical staff.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania bill updates the state's tax code to provide tax relief for victims of Nazi persecution. It specifically exempts from state personal income tax any money received as compensation for the seizure, theft, or forced conversion of income or property that occurred after May 30, 1971. The legislation also clarifies that such compensation is not considered a taxable gain from selling property. These changes apply to tax years starting on or after December 31, 2024, and take effect immediately.

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 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 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 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 summaryThis bill, known as the Contraceptive Access for All Act, requires all government health programs and private health insurance policies in the state to cover FDA-approved contraceptive drugs, devices, and products without charging the patient any out-of-pocket costs. The law specifically mandates that these contraceptives be included in coverage without requiring prior authorization, step therapy, or any form of cost-sharing such as deductibles or copayments. It applies to a wide range of standard medical insurance plans while explicitly excluding limited policies like dental-only or accident insurance. Additionally, the bill assigns duties to the Insurance Department and the Department of Human Services to oversee compliance and establishes penalties for entities that fail to meet these new coverage requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a School Meal Debt Fund and creates new rules to ensure all students in Pennsylvania public schools can access meals regardless of their ability to pay. It requires schools to provide meals to any student who requests one unless a parent has explicitly asked for them to be withheld, and it mandates that schools help families apply for free or reduced-price meal programs if a student owes money. The legislation strictly prohibits schools from stigmatizing students with debt by using wristbands, denying participation in activities, or threatening legal action, while also banning the use of collections agencies or credit reporting to recover unpaid meal costs. Additionally, the bill directs the Department of Revenue to share confidential household income data with schools to better determine eligibility for federal assistance and to identify students who need help paying off meal debts.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Administrative Code to update definitions and powers for Pennsylvania's Energy Development Authority. It clarifies what counts as a "project" and "cost" for energy initiatives, specifically including expenses for energy audits, environmental surveys, and infrastructure resilience. The legislation also changes how the Authority's board is structured, reducing the number of governor-appointed members from nine to five and adjusting the voting requirements for board decisions. These changes aim to streamline the Authority's governance while expanding its scope to support various energy-related activities.