Rep. Dan Deasy

Maddy summaryHB 1371 creates new antitrust enforcement tools in Pennsylvania, primarily affecting health care providers, insurers, and consumers. It establishes a legal cause of action for antitrust violations, allows indirect purchasers (like patients) to seek recovery for harm caused by anti-competitive practices, and requires premerger notification for health care mergers and transactions. The bill also imposes penalties for violations and defines key terms like "health care facility system" and "provider organization." This directly impacts health care entities planning mergers and gives consumers a new avenue to challenge unfair pricing or reduced competition.

Maddy summaryHB 308 establishes new workplace health and safety standards specifically for public employees in Pennsylvania, including those working for the Commonwealth, counties, cities, schools, and public institutions. It creates the Pennsylvania Occupational Safety and Health Review Board, grants the Secretary of Labor new enforcement powers for workplace inspections, and requires public employers to meet safety standards comparable to those in the private sector under federal OSHA. The bill imposes penalties for violations, prohibits employer retaliation against employees reporting safety concerns, and mandates recordkeeping and reporting procedures. This legislation directly affects all public employees across Pennsylvania who previously lacked consistent state-level safety protections.

Maddy summaryHB 1321 creates a new "Military Spouse Leave and Employment Protection Act" in Pennsylvania law. It requires employers with 20+ employees to provide up to 14 paid days per year of leave for employees when their spouse is deployed to a combat zone or during a declared emergency, and up to 14 unpaid days for training deployments. The law prohibits employers from retaliating against employees who request this leave and mandates that employers maintain an employee's position, title, and accrued benefits during the leave. This directly affects Pennsylvania employees with military-connected spouses working at qualifying employers.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows land banks to acquire blighted or abandoned properties under specific conditions. Municipalities must verify properties have been vacant/blighted for 5 years (with exceptions for unimproved land), have building code violations or tax delinquency, and send three certified mail notices to owners. Property owners can appeal by submitting a redevelopment plan with financing, architectural details, or developer contracts; if approved, they get 6-month extensions but must meet redevelopment timelines. Land banks must pay owners the property's appraised value minus fines or liens, directly affecting land banks, municipalities, and owners of distressed properties.

Maddy summaryHB 1305 establishes an independent Office of Child Advocate within Pennsylvania's Department of Human Services to champion children's interests across state care systems. The bill sets qualifications for the Child Advocate (requiring six years in child advocacy/social work, a bachelor's degree, and no conflicts of interest), mandates a four-year term with reappointment options, and requires staff training in trauma-informed care, crisis intervention, and mandated reporter protocols. This office directly affects children in foster care, juvenile justice, early intervention programs, and residential facilities by independently monitoring their welfare and advocating for systemic improvements. The bill amends Pennsylvania’s Human Services Code to formalize this oversight role, ensuring accountability without direct program changes to existing services.

Maddy summaryHB 269 amends Pennsylvania's Controlled Substance Act to improve access to overdose response information. It requires the Department of Health to develop free online training materials, posters, and pamphlets about recognizing opioid overdoses and using reversal medications (like naloxone), with the materials available in multiple languages upon request. Specific public entities - including Commonwealth agencies, transit authorities, municipalities, and local transportation organizations - must display the poster in conspicuous public locations, such as bathrooms or lobbies. The Department covers all printing and distribution costs, and entities already displaying equivalent materials may substitute them with prior notice. This bill focuses on education and resource accessibility, not changing drug laws or medication access.

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 summaryHR 34 is a symbolic resolution designating April 2025 as "Pennsylvania 8-1-1 Safe Digging Month." It encourages excavators and homeowners to call 8-1-1 (or 1-800-242-1776) before digging to locate underground utility lines, as required by Pennsylvania's One Call Act. The resolution highlights the Pennsylvania One Call System's role in preventing injuries, environmental damage, and utility disruptions, noting it handles over 1 million annual requests. It does not create new laws or funding but promotes existing safety practices through public awareness.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates May 2025 as "Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania. It formally recognizes ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) through a symbolic designation, highlighting the disease's impact - such as its fatal neurodegenerative nature, average 2-5 year survival after diagnosis, and lack of cure - without creating new laws or funding. The resolution aims to increase public awareness of ALS, acknowledge the challenges faced by patients and families, and honor ongoing research efforts. As a procedural resolution, it does not alter any existing policies or provide financial support.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HR 33) designates April 2025 as "Limb Loss Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania. It does not create new laws or funding but formally recognizes the challenges faced by people with limb loss, including emotional, physical, and financial impacts. The resolution encourages Pennsylvanians to acknowledge this month, celebrate individuals living with limb loss, thank caregivers, and honor military amputees. It directly affects the public by promoting awareness of a condition impacting over 2 million Americans, as noted in the resolution's supporting facts.