Rep. Arvind Venkat

Maddy summaryHB 928 amends Pennsylvania law to expand access to epinephrine auto-injectors for severe allergic reactions. It adds schools, sports organizations, and other public venues to the list of "authorized entities" allowed to store these devices and train staff. The bill clarifies who can access the injectors during emergencies and specifies training requirements for personnel. This directly affects schools, youth programs, and public facilities serving individuals at risk of anaphylaxis.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance plans in Pennsylvania to cover specific preventive services without charging patients any deductibles, copayments, or coinsurance. The list of covered services is primarily based on recommendations from federal health organizations, such as the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, and is managed by the state Department of Health. While most standard health plans must comply with these requirements, the law explicitly excludes "grandfathered" plans that existed before the bill takes effect. The legislation also establishes a process for the state to add new preventive services or remove existing ones based on current medical evidence and expert recommendations.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's personal income tax code to clarify that certain educational savings distributions are not taxable. Specifically, it ensures that withdrawals from qualified tuition programs rolled over into a Roth IRA remain exempt from state taxation, aligning state rules with federal tax exemptions. The change directly affects Pennsylvania residents who utilize these specific financial vehicles for education savings. By updating the Tax Reform Code, the legislation provides clear guidance on which income classes are excluded from state tax liability.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new tax credit for small businesses in Pennsylvania that help employees pay for health insurance purchased through the state exchange. To qualify, a business must have 50 or fewer employees and make contributions toward health reimbursement arrangements for their workers. The credit is calculated based on the first $1,000 of contributions per employee and can be applied to reduce the business's state tax liability. Companies claiming the credit must submit detailed forms to the Department of Revenue listing employee information and insurance provider details.

Maddy summaryHB 2198 repeals the Computer Data Center Equipment Incentive Program from Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code of 1971. This bill eliminates tax exemptions and refunds previously available for investments in data center equipment, such as servers, cooling systems, and energy infrastructure. The repeal directly affects computer data centers and their owners/operators who previously qualified for these tax benefits under Article XXIX-D. The policy change removes a specific tax incentive program without creating new provisions. This is a procedural change to the tax code, ending an existing program for data center equipment investments.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs Pennsylvania's Human Services department to replace current Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program cards with new chip-enabled versions by January 1, 2028. The new cards will be provided free of charge to eligible recipients and will include security features like tap-to-pay technology to prevent benefit theft. The department must issue regular reports on the transition progress to state legislators and take steps to secure funding, including applying for federal grants.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes outdated Pennsylvania laws regarding insurance that are no longer in effect. It specifically repeals the Flood Insurance Education and Information Act of 1996 and certain sections of the Insurance Company Law of 1921. The changes take effect immediately upon passage, streamlining the state's insurance code by eliminating expired provisions.

Maddy summaryHB 2162 amends Pennsylvania's Wholesale Prescription Drug Distributors License Act to clarify definitions and license application requirements. It specifically defines "virtual manufacturer" as a business that doesn't physically handle drugs in Pennsylvania but has FDA approval processes underway, including submitting or planning to submit FDA applications within 12 months. The bill adds new application requirements: manufacturers of unapproved drugs must state they've applied to or plan to apply to the FDA within 12 months, and virtual manufacturers must provide similar documentation. Crucially, it states the state department cannot require FDA approval as a condition for licensure. This directly affects drug distributors operating under the "virtual manufacturer" model and unapproved drug manufacturers seeking state licenses.

Maddy summaryHB 75 amends Pennsylvania's Osteopathic Medical Practice Act to update the definition of "primary supervising physician" to include medical doctors (MDs) licensed by the State Board of Medicine, alongside osteopathic physicians (DOs). This change allows physician assistants to have either an MD or a DO as their primary supervising physician under a written agreement, expanding oversight options beyond current restrictions. The amendment takes effect 60 days after enactment and does not alter other provisions of the law.

Maddy summaryHB 76 amends Pennsylvania's Medical Practice Act of 1985 to update two key definitions: it revises the term "doctor of osteopathy" to reference the State Board of Osteopathic Medicine (replacing outdated language) and clarifies that a "primary supervising physician" for physician assistants must be licensed by either the State Board of Medicine or the State Board of Osteopathic Medicine. This change directly affects osteopathic doctors, physician assistants, and the licensing boards by aligning the law with current regulatory structures. The bill makes no substantive changes to medical practice rules but ensures definitions accurately reflect the oversight bodies responsible for licensing. It takes effect 60 days after enactment.