Rep. La'Tasha Mayes

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates May 2025 as "Menstrual Health Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania. It symbolically recognizes the importance of menstrual health, highlighting issues like limited access to education and hygiene products, stigma, and health disparities affecting women and girls. The resolution does not create new laws, funding, or requirements; it is a formal acknowledgment by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives to raise awareness about these issues. It directly affects Pennsylvanians by designating a month for community education and discussion around menstrual health.

Maddy summaryHB 1441 proposes significant changes to sentencing and parole eligibility for certain serious offenses in Pennsylvania, applying these changes retroactively. The bill modifies sentences for individuals under 18 convicted of first-degree murder, murder of an unborn child, or murder of a law enforcement officer, replacing "life without parole" with minimum terms of 25 or 35 years to life, making them eligible for parole. It also removes "without parole" from life sentences for repeat violent offenders, allowing them parole consideration. The Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole would gain the power to parole individuals serving life sentences, though it would be prohibited from granting parole to offenders who murdered a law enforcement officer. Additionally, for those serving life sentences, parole consideration would not begin until at least five years of incarceration.

Maddy summaryHB 81 prohibits businesses from charging consumers extra fees for paying by mail or choosing paper billing statements. It directly affects consumers who use these payment methods and businesses that currently impose such fees. The law bans additional charges or rate differentials for mail or paper billing but allows businesses to offer incentives (like discounts) for electronic payment or billing options. This amendment to Pennsylvania's Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law takes effect in 60 days.

Maddy summaryHB 1426 amends Pennsylvania's Crimes and Offenses statute to increase the penalties for scattering rubbish. This bill directly affects individuals convicted of littering or illegal dumping by raising the potential fines. For a first offense, the maximum fine increases from $300 to $2,000. More serious and subsequent offenses will also see significantly higher maximum fines, ranging up to $20,000 for repeat severe violations. The bill maintains existing provisions for community service, such as picking up litter, and potential imprisonment.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution designates March 2025 as "Music in Our Schools Month" in Pennsylvania. It recognizes the value of music education in developing students' creativity, problem-solving skills, and cultural understanding, while commending music educators across the state. The resolution does not create new laws, allocate funding, or impose requirements - its sole purpose is to formally acknowledge and support existing music education efforts in Pennsylvania schools during March 2025. It directly affects Pennsylvania public schools and music educators by highlighting their work through a symbolic designation.

Maddy summaryHB 1411 requires Pennsylvania's Department of Health to partner with healthcare providers (including OB/GYNs and community health centers) to create and distribute educational materials about perimenopause and menopause. The materials must cover symptoms, treatments, biological processes, and communication strategies for women identified by their providers as experiencing or approaching these stages. This directly affects women in Pennsylvania who are navigating perimenopause or menopause, providing them with standardized information to better understand and manage these health transitions. The bill amends the 1929 Administrative Code to add this specific duty to the Department of Health's responsibilities.

Maddy summaryThis resolution recognizes the week of May 9-15, 2025, as "National Stuttering Awareness Week" in Pennsylvania. It symbolically raises awareness about stuttering - a speech disorder affecting approximately 130,000 Pennsylvanians - without creating new laws, funding, or obligations. The resolution aims to highlight misconceptions about stuttering and support efforts to reduce stigma, particularly for children and adults who stutter.

Maddy summaryHouse Resolution 197 is a commemorative resolution that recognizes and honors the members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. It acknowledges their more than a century of commitment to social activism, academic excellence, and civic engagement in the Commonwealth, specifically on the occasion of "Delta Day" at the State Capitol.

Maddy summaryHB 1376 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to establish standards for school-based health centers in public, private, and parochial schools. It requires these centers to provide accessible care without denying services based on payment ability, insurance status, or health conditions, while coordinating with students' existing primary care providers. Centers must offer a full range of services with proper parental consent, minimize barriers to care, and maintain confidentiality per federal law. The bill also creates a statewide advisory council and a department liaison to oversee implementation and ensure centers align with student needs like age, demographics, and community resources.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates May 5, 2025, as "Youth Advocacy Day" in Pennsylvania. It does not create new laws or policies but formally recognizes and honors youth-led advocacy efforts across the state. The resolution highlights young people's historical and ongoing role in movements addressing issues like social justice, environmental protection, and civic engagement, without imposing any requirements or funding on state agencies.