Rep. La'Tasha Mayes

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Adult Protective Services Act to update definitions and administrative duties while establishing a registration system for perpetrators of abuse and neglect. It clarifies terms such as "abuse," "exploitation," and "caregiver" to include specific acts like institutional sexual assault and unauthorized taking of an adult's resources. The legislation also outlines the responsibilities of the Department of Human Services and other agencies in protecting adults aged 18 to 59 with significant physical or mental impairments. Additionally, it mandates the registration of individuals convicted of abusing or neglecting vulnerable adults to enhance accountability and public safety.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Older Adults Protective Services Act to update definitions of abuse, neglect, and exploitation while establishing a new abuse and neglect registry. It clarifies what constitutes harm to older adults, including specific provisions regarding sexual assault in care settings, and expands the list of facilities covered under the law. The legislation also strengthens privacy protections by restricting access to protective services records, allowing only specific staff and employers to view them for registry purposes. These changes directly affect caregivers, facilities, and state agencies responsible for investigating and reporting incidents involving vulnerable seniors.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the text of House Bill 1371 to correct specific errors in the language regarding how certifying officials and agencies process petitions. The changes include updating references to federal definitions, adjusting section numbers, and clarifying that agencies must provide specific details when denying a petition due to a petitioner's failure to provide requested information. These amendments refine the procedural rules for handling certification forms without altering the core purpose of the original legislation.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House resolution designates the week of October 13 through 19, 2024, as "Military Sexual Trauma Survivor Week" to raise awareness about sexual assault in the military. The measure directly affects veterans and service members who have experienced sexual trauma by highlighting their struggles and the need for better support systems. The text cites statistics on underreporting and the specific challenges survivors face, such as stigma and difficulties accessing benefits, to justify the designation. By formally recognizing this issue, the resolution aims to encourage community support and prompt a statewide examination of how to better assist these individuals.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Health Care Facilities Act to strengthen the Attorney General's authority in reviewing proposed mergers and acquisitions within the healthcare sector. It establishes a detailed list of factors the Attorney General must evaluate, including potential impacts on prices, service quality, market competition, and access for vulnerable populations. The legislation also requires state agencies like the Department of Aging and the Insurance Department to assist in these reviews while protecting certain documents from public disclosure. Ultimately, the law aims to ensure that large healthcare transactions do not negatively affect patients or the overall public interest.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes specific Pennsylvania cities to regulate shared electric low-speed scooters by creating local programs and ordinances. It defines these scooters as two- or three-wheeled devices with a maximum speed of 20 mph and sets rules for where they can be ridden, such as prohibiting use on freeways or sidewalks in business districts. The legislation requires companies operating these scooters to carry substantial liability insurance and establish complaint hotlines for reporting abandoned vehicles or safety violations. Additionally, the bill mandates that riders be at least 16 years old and equipped with proper lighting when riding between sunset and sunrise.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Live Customer Service Improvement Act, requires businesses in Pennsylvania to offer customers the option to speak with a live person via telephone when they call customer service lines. The law applies specifically to for-profit organizations with more than 100 employees and annual revenues exceeding $10 million, while exempting smaller businesses. Companies must establish a system that allows callers to bypass automated menus and reach an employee directly upon request. Violations of this requirement would be treated as unfair trade practices under existing state consumer protection laws. The new rules will become effective 180 days after the bill is passed.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Municipal Code and Ordinance Compliance Act by removing language that previously allowed landlords to withhold rent. The change directly affects tenants and landlords by eliminating the specific provision that authorized rent withholding as a remedy. Consequently, the bill alters the legal framework for tenant protections without adding new rights or obligations.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates September 2024 as "Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Month" in Pennsylvania to raise awareness about student hunger and food waste. The bill highlights the issue of food insecurity among children and references the federal Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, which mandates specific nutritional standards for school meals. It also mentions "share tables," a strategy allowing students to return unopened food for others to take, as a method to reduce waste and improve nutrition access. The measure is symbolic and does not alter existing laws or create new funding or mandates.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania laws to clarify how public utilities value water and wastewater systems they purchase from other companies. It allows the buying utility to include the system's depreciated original cost in its rate calculations immediately after the deal closes or in its first rate filing. The law also requires that any difference between the new system's value and the seller's previous rate base be spread evenly over the next three rate cases. These changes directly affect public utility companies in Pennsylvania and the rates they charge customers for water and wastewater services.