Rep. La'Tasha Mayes

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates February 28, 2026, as "HIV is Not a Crime Awareness Day" in Pennsylvania. It aims to raise public awareness about HIV criminalization - where individuals with HIV face criminal charges for non-transmission behaviors - and highlights how such laws disproportionately impact marginalized groups like people of color, women, and LGBTQ+ individuals. The resolution emphasizes current public health consensus that people with HIV who have an undetectable viral load cannot transmit the virus through sex, and that HIV treatment is prevention. It is a symbolic statement, not a law, intended to encourage education and dialogue about ending outdated HIV-related criminal penalties.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Pennsylvania Department of Health to launch a public education campaign focused on prostate health and cancer screening. The legislation requires the department to provide clear, up-to-date information on risk factors, screening guidelines based on age and risk level, and the benefits and risks of available tests. To support these efforts, the bill establishes a dedicated state fund that can be financed through appropriations, grants, and donations to cover the costs of the campaign. The outreach will utilize various channels, including media, community forums, and partnerships with health providers, while ensuring materials are available in multiple languages.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Pennsylvania Department of Health to create a grant program designed to help healthcare providers and facilities run education campaigns about prostate cancer and general prostate health. The Department of Health will manage the program by accepting applications from eligible local healthcare entities and awarding grants ranging from $1,000 to $30,000 to fund the creation and distribution of educational materials. A dedicated fund will be established in the State Treasury to hold money from the General Assembly, donations, and grants, with any leftover funds staying in the program rather than returning to the general state budget. Additionally, the Department of Health is required to submit annual reports to the General Assembly detailing how many grants were awarded, the total amounts involved, and a summary of the educational activities carried out by the recipients.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Patient Test Result Information Act to require laboratories to directly notify patients when their prostate-specific antigen blood tests show abnormal results. Under the new rules, labs must send a notice within five days that includes a plain-language summary of the findings, the name of the doctor who ordered the test, and instructions on how to get the full report. The Department of Health is tasked with overseeing compliance with these notification requirements and creating a publicly available list of age-specific normal and abnormal test levels. While the full results are still sent to the ordering doctor, the law ensures patients receive immediate awareness of potential issues and are encouraged to contact their healthcare provider promptly.

Maddy summaryHR 414 is a Pennsylvania House resolution recognizing May 9-15, 2026, as "National Stuttering Awareness Week" in the state. It symbolically acknowledges the National Stuttering Association’s annual observance to promote understanding of stuttering, a speech disorder affecting approximately 130,000 Pennsylvanians. The resolution highlights common misconceptions about stuttering and emphasizes the importance of reducing stigma, though it does not create new programs or laws. This is a non-binding gesture by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives to support awareness, not a substantive policy change.

Maddy summaryHouse Resolution 396 designates January 2026 as "School Director Recognition Month" in Pennsylvania to honor the 4,500 locally elected school directors serving the state's public school districts. The resolution formally recognizes their roles in providing educational leadership, setting standards, and managing district finances as fiscal stewards of public funds.

Maddy summaryHB 434, the "Ebony Alert System Act," requires the Pennsylvania State Police to establish a system providing public alerts for missing young people of color (ages 12-25) under specific circumstances, including abduction, suspicious disappearance, or if they have disabilities. Law enforcement must consider eight factors - such as the individual's age, race, disability, or safety risks - before activating an alert. The system is funded by a $25 assessment on individuals convicted of kidnapping (18 Pa.C.S. Ch. 29), and falsely impersonating the alert system carries a $5,000 civil penalty. It directly affects law enforcement agencies, public safety systems, and vulnerable missing persons cases.

Maddy summaryThe provided context does not include details about HB 1919's specific provisions, affected parties, or policy mechanisms. The bill's title mentions amending the Public School Code regarding "student-related injury leave," but no explanatory text or legislative text is included in the context. Without additional information on how this leave would function, who qualifies, or what changes would be made to the code, a substantive summary cannot be created. The referral to the Education committee indicates it relates to school policies, but concrete details are missing from the provided information.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services to make a one-time payment to medical assistance managed care organizations by December 31, 2027, to help increase payments to providers for medical equipment and supplies. The total amount available for distribution is calculated by taking the total funds these organizations paid to providers for such items in 2024 and adding 10% to that figure. Once the department distributes its share, the managed care organizations must pass along 10% of the 2024 payment amounts to each participating provider within 30 days. The law applies specifically to individuals enrolled in the medical assistance program and the healthcare providers and organizations that serve them.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House Resolution designates May 2026 as Preeclampsia Awareness Month to highlight a serious pregnancy complication involving high blood pressure. The bill aims to increase public knowledge about the condition, which can lead to seizures, strokes, and organ failure if not managed properly. By recognizing this month, the House intends to encourage pregnant individuals to learn about warning signs and seek timely medical care. The resolution does not change laws or allocate funding but serves as a formal statement of support for maternal health awareness.