Rep. Brandon Markosek

Maddy summaryHB 1324 creates a new criminal offense for bullying in Pennsylvania, defined as committing specific crimes (like assault or property damage) with the intent to harass, intimidate, or cause fear. It directly affects individuals who commit these acts with bullying intent, classifying the offense as a misdemeanor (typically third-degree for minor crimes, or one degree higher for more serious offenses). Sentencing enhancements for severe cases are directed to the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing. The bill excludes labor disputes and constitutionally protected activities from coverage. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis is a symbolic resolution (not a law) designating April 21-25, 2025, as "National Work Zone Awareness Week" in Pennsylvania. It recognizes an existing national campaign focused on promoting driver caution in work zones to reduce crashes, citing data showing 891 fatalities in work zone crashes nationally in 2022. The resolution encourages Pennsylvania motorists to "slow down, pay attention, and use extra caution" in work zones but does not create new laws, funding, or enforceable requirements. It serves purely as a ceremonial acknowledgment of a safety initiative led by transportation organizations.

Maddy summaryHB 1310 amends the Human Services Code to modify how medical assistance payments are determined for institutional care in nursing facilities. The bill specifically adjusts the application of a "revenue adjustment neutrality factor" to payment rates for county and nonpublic nursing facilities. Beginning July 1, 2025, the factor for nonpublic facilities must be equal to or greater than 0.90, while for county facilities, it will be 1.00 plus the percentage rate of change applied to nonpublic facilities. This change directly affects these nursing facilities and the eligible individuals receiving care within them.

Maddy summaryHB 31 proposes a constitutional amendment to replace Pennsylvania's current Legislative Reapportionment Commission - which includes legislative leaders - with an Independent Redistricting Commission. The new commission would draw state legislative and congressional district boundaries after each federal census, following specific redistricting criteria outlined in the amendment. This change aims to reduce partisan influence by removing direct legislative control over redistricting. The bill does not detail the exact criteria but requires the commission to adhere to them when creating district maps.

Maddy summaryHB 411 adds a new supplemental annuity for eligible Pennsylvania state retirees, starting July 2025. It applies to retirees who retired before July 2, 2001, have specific service credit (excluding certain classifications), and are receiving monthly payments on July 1, 2025. The amount equals a percentage (ranging from 15% to 24.5%) of their July 2025 monthly annuity, based on their retirement date. The benefit is paid automatically unless retirees opt out, and the cost will be funded over 10 years starting July 2026. This bill does not apply to survivors or retirees with certain service types.

Maddy summaryHB 1152 requires insurance companies to directly reimburse non-network emergency medical services (EMS) agencies for 911 emergency calls within 45 days at 350% of the Medicare ambulance rate for the same service in the same area. EMS agencies must register with the state annually to qualify for direct payments, and insurers cannot demand contracts to facilitate this reimbursement. The insurer's payment covers the full service cost (excluding the patient's copay, coinsurance, or deductible), so EMS agencies cannot bill patients for the remaining amount. This law applies only to non-network EMS providers offering 911 emergency medical services, unless preempted by federal law.

Maddy summaryHB 1097 creates a new minor criminal offense in Pennsylvania for organizing or operating events where live pigeons are used as targets for shooting contests, either for amusement or skill testing. This applies to anyone who willfully runs such events at a designated location, including using mechanical aids to present pigeons to shooters. The bill explicitly excludes legal hunting under state game laws, dog training activities, or permitted special events. It takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 1068 creates a licensing program allowing family members (such as parents, grandparents, or adult siblings) to provide Medicaid-covered skilled care to children with medical needs. To qualify, applicants must complete training, pass background checks, and meet state nursing standards. The bill requires Medicaid agencies to cover the cost of training and licensure renewal, and it mandates that licensed family caregivers receive compensation for services like skilled monitoring. This directly affects Medicaid recipients (children under 21 with diagnosed conditions) and their eligible family caregivers, with oversight by the State Board of Nursing.

Maddy summaryHB 1065 creates a new felony offense for selling unmarked firearm components in Pennsylvania. It specifically targets the sale of firearm frames/receivers, silencer frames, split/modular frames, or partially complete frames without serial numbers registered to a federal firearms licensee. The bill defines "privately made firearm" as one assembled by non-licensed individuals without federal serial markings. This law directly affects sellers of homemade or unlicensed firearm parts, making such sales a third-degree felony. It does not change laws regarding firearm ownership or purchase, only penalizing the sale of unmarked components.

Maddy summaryHB 949 requires health insurance policies in Pennsylvania to cover habilitative and rehabilitative speech therapy for childhood stuttering and apraxia. This applies to all health insurance policies issued, renewed, or filed with the state within 180 days of the law's effective date. The bill defines "childhood stuttering" (ages 2-6) and "apraxia" (a neurological speech disorder), specifying coverage must follow standard policy terms like medical necessity and cost-sharing. It explicitly excludes school-based therapy covered solely through an individualized education program (IEP). The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.