Rep. Dan Deasy

Maddy summaryHB 510 amends Pennsylvania's Municipalities Financial Recovery Act to require receivers managing financially distressed municipalities to consult the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) before selling, leasing, or disposing of water or wastewater systems. The PUC must analyze within 90 days whether the transaction would raise residential utility rates by 25% or more, and if so, the receiver cannot proceed. This rule directly affects receivers and financially distressed municipalities when handling public utility assets. The bill establishes a clear procedural safeguard to prevent significant rate increases for residents during asset transactions.

Maddy summaryHB 498 updates Pennsylvania's emergency protection order process for domestic abuse cases. It clarifies that temporary orders expire after one business day unless local court rules specify a 10-day limit or until a court hearing occurs. Hearing officers must now provide victims with information about local domestic violence resources, free legal aid, and how to report order violations. The bill also requires these orders to be entered into the statewide registry for tracking and mandates courts to schedule hearings to review orders until a final decision is made.

Maddy summaryHR 12 is a ceremonial resolution recognizing February 2025 as "Black History Month" in Pennsylvania. It does not create new laws or policies but formally acknowledges the month through the House of Representatives. The resolution highlights the historical origins of Black History Month, including Dr. Carter Godwin Woodson's founding of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, and notes the 2025 theme focused on African Americans and labor. This resolution directly affects Pennsylvania residents by designating the month for commemoration, without altering any legal rights or obligations.

Maddy summaryHB 509 amends Pennsylvania's Municipalities Financial Recovery Act to require that financially distressed municipalities under receivership must obtain approval from 75% of other municipalities with service agreements or whose residents previously used their water or sewer services before selling, leasing, or disposing of assets. This approval must be a public resolution passed by a majority vote of the other municipality's governing body and communicated to the distressed municipality and receiver within 48 hours. The bill directly affects the asset disposal process for financially distressed municipalities and the municipalities that rely on their water or sewer services.

Maddy summaryHB 475 amends Pennsylvania's Health Care Facilities Act to establish staffing requirements for dialysis centers. It mandates that all dialysis facilities - whether hospital-owned, Commonwealth-run, or independent - must maintain at least one trained dialysis caregiver for every four patients receiving active treatment. The bill defines "dialysis caregiver" to include physicians, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and dialysis technicians, who must provide direct care during hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis for end-stage renal disease. This requirement applies to both inpatient and outpatient settings and directly affects all dialysis centers operating under Pennsylvania licensing.

Maddy summaryHB 479 allows Pennsylvania voters to register to vote on election day at their polling place by presenting valid ID and submitting a registration form. It requires voters to show a government-issued ID (like a driver's license, passport, or military ID) and provides a temporary ballot that won't be counted until the state approves the registration within 10 days. The bill mandates that all polling places receive same-day registration forms and instructions for voters. This directly affects qualified Pennsylvania voters who maintain residence in an election district and need to register on election day.

Maddy summaryHB 471 allocates $1,000,000 from the General Fund to fund veterans' service officer programs in Pennsylvania. This bill directly affects veterans' service organizations that assist military veterans in accessing benefits and services. The key provision transfers the specified funds to the relevant department to support these programs under Title 51 of Pennsylvania law. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 423 establishes Pennsylvania's Future Voter Program, allowing high school students aged 16-17 to preregister to vote before turning 18. The bill requires schools to hold voter registration events during Constitution and Citizenship Day (September 17), providing applications and online registration opportunities for eligible students. Students who preregister will not be added to the voter registry until they reach age 18. The program mandates school entities to coordinate these events, with the Secretary of Education and Secretary of the Commonwealth overseeing implementation. This directly affects all high school students in Pennsylvania who are 16 or 17 years old.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires judges to ban convicted individuals of riot or disorderly conduct offenses from owning, possessing, or caring for animals for at least two years. It mandates completion of violence prevention counseling as part of sentencing, with failure to comply considered a separate offense. Violating the animal ownership ban results in escalating misdemeanor charges: third-degree for the first violation (adding one year to the ban), second-degree for a second violation (adding five years), and first-degree for third or subsequent violations (adding ten years). The law applies only to those convicted under specific provisions of Title 18, directly affecting offenders in these cases.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates January 23, 2025, as "Maternal Health Awareness Day" in Pennsylvania. It aims to recognize women who die from pregnancy or childbirth complications, highlighting Pennsylvania's maternal mortality rate of 82 deaths per 100,000 live births and the significantly higher rate (163 per 100,000) for Black women. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but seeks to increase public and healthcare awareness about maternal health risks. It references existing efforts like the Maternal Mortality Review Committee established under Act 24 of 2018.