Rep. Dan Deasy

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HR 43) symbolically recognizes April 2025 as "Sexual Assault Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania, marking the 24th anniversary of the observance in the Commonwealth. It does not create new laws or policies but encourages communities to support survivors, promote prevention education, and foster safer environments online and offline. The resolution emphasizes collective action to address sexual violence, referencing national awareness efforts and Pennsylvania's historical context. It has no direct impact on specific individuals or groups, as it is a ceremonial recognition by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

Maddy summaryHB 405 would require businesses with 200+ Pennsylvania employees to meet specific standards to receive state contracts, funding, or grants. Corporations would be ineligible if they violated federal labor laws (within 5 years), committed unfair labor practices (within 5 years), broke Pennsylvania's prevailing wage law (within 5 years), or failed to submit bylaws ensuring at least 20% of their governing board consists of employee-elected members. The bill applies only to new or renewed state contracts, funding, or grants approved after its effective date (60 days after enactment). This directly affects large corporations seeking state business by linking eligibility to labor compliance and employee representation requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 357 amends Pennsylvania's 1971 Tax Reform Code to exempt specific property transfers from realty transfer tax. It directly affects surviving spouses and minor children of public safety personnel (police, firefighters, etc.) who died while performing official duties, as defined by the 1976 Emergency and Law Enforcement Personnel Death Benefits Act. The key provision excludes transfers where the property was the deceased's principal residence, and the transfer occurs within five years of death under defined conditions (e.g., the surviving spouse married within one year before the death, or the property was the deceased's residence regardless of the child's current residence). This creates a tax exemption for these specific family transitions without altering the broader tax structure. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 334 creates a $2,500 Pennsylvania Individual Recruitment and Retention Tax Credit for specific new professionals who move to the state after December 2024. It directly affects qualifying taxpayers certified in teaching (e.g., instructional or special education certificates), law enforcement (e.g., police academy graduates), or healthcare (e.g., registered nurses) who become Pennsylvania residents and secure employment in those fields. The credit reduces their state income tax bill for wages earned in qualifying roles, available for three consecutive years (including the first qualifying year), and requires proof of certification to the Department of Revenue. The credit expires December 31, 2030, and applies only to individuals becoming qualifying taxpayers between 2025 and 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 287 establishes the Survivor-Centered, Accessible, Fair and Empowering Housing Trust Fund within Pennsylvania's state treasury. The fund provides emergency, transitional, and permanent housing programs with support services specifically for victims and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, human trafficking, and stalking, including their immediate family members. It requires housing programs to be accessible regardless of an individual's sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation. The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency will manage the fund, and the bill amends the state's Fiscal Code to create this dedicated funding source. This is a direct policy change creating a new state trust fund for targeted housing assistance.

Maddy summaryHouse Resolution 24 designates January 23, 2025, as "Maternal Health Awareness Day" in Pennsylvania to honor women who have died from pregnancy or childbirth complications. The resolution aims to raise public and healthcare awareness about maternal mortality, particularly highlighting racial disparities where Black women in Pennsylvania face a maternal mortality rate of 163 deaths per 100,000 live births - over twice the rate of other groups. It does not create new laws or funding but encourages community and healthcare engagement through designated awareness activities. This symbolic gesture aligns with Pennsylvania’s existing Maternal Mortality Review Committee efforts established under Act 24 of 2018.

Maddy summaryHB 264 amends Pennsylvania's vehicle fee law to clarify that veterans with a 100% service-connected disability are exempt from vehicle titling and registration fees. The bill specifies that this exemption applies to veterans whose disability is certified at 100% by the military or the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and who qualify for a disability plate and placard under existing law. It replaces the previous reference to "totally disabled veterans" with this precise standard to ensure consistent application of the fee exemption. This change updates the legal language without altering the scope of who qualifies for the exemption.

Maddy summaryHB 281 requires health insurance policies in Pennsylvania to cover prostate cancer screenings with no out-of-pocket costs for men aged 40+ who are at high risk. High-risk individuals include those with a family history of prostate cancer, genetic factors, or physician-determined medical need. The law mandates annual coverage for screenings like PSA tests and digital rectal exams, eliminating deductibles or copays. It applies to all health insurance policies issued or renewed 180 days after enactment, with full implementation in 60 days. This directly affects insurers, healthcare providers, and Pennsylvania residents meeting the specified risk criteria.

Maddy summaryThis bill strengthens mental health support for emergency responders in Pennsylvania. It creates new confidentiality protections, prohibiting peer support staff, healthcare providers, or helplines from sharing an emergency responder's mental health information without consent (except in clear danger situations). Specifically for 911 dispatchers, it requires employers to provide free mental health evaluations for PTSD symptoms upon the dispatcher's request or a supervisor's recommendation. If symptoms are identified, the employer must cover treatment until a provider determines the dispatcher can return to full duties, with administrative duty assigned during this period.

Maddy summaryHB 192 repeals outdated language requiring psychological services to be provided on school premises for nonpublic school students. It updates the definition of "professional employees" to explicitly include school social workers, counselors, psychologists, and nurses in Pennsylvania schools. The bill mandates that school social workers must hold a new educational specialist certificate issued by the Department of Education, which must be created within 60 days. Additionally, it adds rules requiring schools to share student health records when students transfer and to retain those records for at least two years after a student leaves.