Rep. La'Tasha Mayes

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new program within the Pennsylvania Department of Education to fund school districts that adopt evidence-based staffing models designed to improve student learning. The legislation allows districts to receive grants to expand advanced teaching roles where effective teachers lead teams, share leadership responsibilities, and receive additional compensation tied to measurable student outcomes. Key provisions require that these staffing changes include protected time for collaboration, flexible scheduling, and alignment with other state education priorities like structured literacy. Ultimately, the bill aims to support districts in implementing innovative compensation and organizational structures that replicate successful teaching practices across the Commonwealth.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Covered Device Recycling Act to update definitions and strengthen recycling requirements for manufacturers and retailers. It clarifies which electronics count as covered devices, such as computers, smartphones, and printers, while explicitly excluding items like landline phones and devices built into other appliances. The legislation also introduces a sales prohibition mechanism, requiring the Department of Environmental Protection to maintain a list of non-compliant brands that cannot be sold in the state. Additionally, the bill mandates stricter registration, reporting, and enforcement duties for companies involved in the sale of covered devices.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House Resolution designates the week of May 17 through 23, 2026, as "Emergency Medical Services Week" to honor the work of emergency medical personnel. The measure directly affects first responders, EMTs, paramedics, and other healthcare providers who deliver critical care across the state. By officially recognizing this specific time period, the resolution aims to highlight the importance of emergency medical services without altering any laws or policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Insurance Company Law to update definitions and provisions related to health insurance coverage. It clarifies how certain government health programs are defined for insurance policies, specifically regarding prescription drug coverage and continuation of coverage for employees who lose their jobs. The legislation also updates the legal definition of a hospital to include facilities operating alcoholism or drug addiction treatment programs and establishes a Long-Term Care Partnership Program to help individuals manage future long-term care costs.

Maddy summaryHB 2243 expands protections for minors exploited through human trafficking in Pennsylvania. It amends Title 18 to provide "safe harbor" immunity from prosecution for non-violent offenses (like minor drug possession or disorderly conduct) committed as a direct result of trafficking victimization, for children under 18. The bill repeals the previous "dependency in lieu of delinquency" process (Section 6328), replacing it with immediate access to specialized services instead of criminal or juvenile justice proceedings. Law enforcement must detain trafficked youth only briefly to connect them with support services, not for punishment. This directly affects minors in trafficking situations by preventing them from being charged for crimes stemming from their exploitation.

Maddy summaryHR 301 is a resolution directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to study how racial wealth disparities specifically impact Black residents in the Commonwealth. The study must examine these disparities and develop concrete policy recommendations to reduce or eliminate them. This resolution does not create new laws but requires the committee to produce findings and actionable suggestions for future legislative consideration. It directly affects Black residents by focusing on systemic economic inequities within the state.

Maddy summaryHB 1944 amends Pennsylvania law to create a "safe harbor" protection for individuals required to report suspected child abuse (mandated reporters) who report under Section 6308(a) of Title 18. The bill directly affects professionals like teachers, doctors, and social workers who have a legal duty to report abuse. Its key provision shields these reporters from legal consequences if they report suspected abuse in good faith, even if the report later proves incorrect. This change aims to encourage reporting by reducing fear of liability for honest mistakes. The bill is currently referred to the Judiciary Committee.

Maddy summaryHB 2252 makes it a crime to share someone's intimate image without consent, including AI-generated images that falsely depict them in nudity or sexual conduct. It directly affects individuals whose intimate images are shared non-consensually, whether the images are real or artificially created using AI or photo editing. The law establishes misdemeanor penalties (from second to first degree) based on factors like the victim's age, the sharer's intent (e.g., to harass, profit, or cause harm), and whether multiple images were shared. This bill updates Pennsylvania's sexual offenses law to specifically address the growing threat of AI-generated intimate images, ensuring they face the same legal consequences as real non-consensual image sharing.

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 summaryHB 836 prohibits Pennsylvania from interfering with the use of medically appropriate assisted reproductive technology (ART), such as in vitro fertilization (IVF), ensuring individuals can access these services without state restrictions. The bill defines ART to include specific fertility procedures and requires that any new state laws must comply with this protection unless explicitly exempted by the legislature. It takes effect immediately, providing direct safeguards for individuals seeking ART services and healthcare providers offering them.