Rep. Arvind Venkat

Maddy summaryHB 857 amends Pennsylvania's Human Services Code to update reimbursement rates for emergency ambulance services under Medicaid programs. It requires the state to pay ambulance providers the higher of either Medicare's 2023 rates or current Medicaid ambulance fees (as updated in 2023) for services provided to Medicaid enrollees starting January 1, 2024. For services where patients declined transport, new rates based on 2025 Medicare data or updated Medicaid fees will apply beginning July 1, 2025. This directly affects licensed emergency medical services agencies that provide ambulance transport to Medicaid beneficiaries.

Maddy summaryHouse Resolution 103 designates April 2025 as "National Volunteer Month" in Pennsylvania. The resolution encourages all residents to engage in volunteer activities, highlighting community benefits such as building social connections, supporting local resilience, and providing personal fulfillment as outlined in the resolution's preamble. It does not create new laws or require specific actions, serving as a symbolic recognition of volunteerism's value.

Maddy summaryHB 840 establishes the Targeted Industry Cluster Certificate Scholarship Program to provide financial assistance for Pennsylvania residents pursuing specific short-term education programs. The program, administered by the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency, offers grants for eligible students enrolled in approved courses that take two to four years to complete, including nursing, public health, and community health bachelor's degrees. The Department of Education and Department of Labor and Industry will collaborate to identify workforce-focused programs and approve eligible educational providers. This bill directly affects students seeking credentials in high-demand fields and requires the agency to set grant awards based on available funding.

Maddy summaryHB 826 amends Pennsylvania's Human Relations Act to require public venues (like theaters, sports arenas, and events charging admission) to provide free admission for personal care attendants accompanying eligible individuals with disabilities. It defines "attendant care services" to include daily living support such as bathing, mobility assistance, and managing transportation, and specifies that "eligible individuals" are those needing such services due to a disability. The bill prohibits venues from charging personal care attendants for entry when their presence is necessary for the eligible individual to access the event. This directly affects people with disabilities who rely on attendants to participate in public activities and the venues hosting those events.

Maddy summaryHB 812 establishes a grant program to fund security improvements protecting hospital and emergency care workers from workplace violence. It directly affects hospitals and freestanding emergency medical facilities in Pennsylvania, which can apply for grants to implement violence prevention projects. The bill requires applicants to submit detailed plans with timelines, budgets, and measurable goals for reducing verbal/physical violence, with priority given to innovative, sustainable approaches. The Department of Health will administer the program, accept applications starting March 1, 2025, and manage the dedicated grant fund.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates March 2025 as "Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania. It is a symbolic designation with no new policies, funding, or regulatory changes. The resolution acknowledges colorectal cancer statistics and the importance of screening, but does not alter health programs or requirements. It serves solely to recognize the disease through an official state observance.

Maddy summaryHouse Resolution 98 designates March 2025 as "National Athletic Training Month" in Pennsylvania. It recognizes the work of athletic trainers who provide specialized health care services - including injury prevention, emergency care, and rehabilitation - and acknowledges their role in settings like schools, hospitals, and sports organizations. The resolution urges Pennsylvania residents to learn more about athletic training as a health care profession, though it does not create new laws or requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 785 creates a new electronic voter registration system in Pennsylvania. It requires the state to establish a secure online portal within 180 days where voters can submit registration applications or updates, verify identity using the last four digits of their Social Security number or driver's license, and provide digital signatures. The bill mandates accessibility features for voters with disabilities and specifies that applications must be processed through existing systems. This directly affects all Pennsylvania voters seeking to register or update their registration online, streamlining the process while maintaining verification requirements.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 96) designates March 8, 2025, as "International Women's Day" in Pennsylvania. It formally recognizes women's contributions across all sectors of Pennsylvania society without creating new laws or policies. The resolution encourages residents to participate in events celebrating women's achievements and leadership, including noting the record number of women serving in the state legislature. It is a symbolic gesture by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, not a legislative change affecting specific groups or programs.

Maddy summaryHB 790 requires Pennsylvania hospitals with emergency departments to provide abortion services when an individual has an emergency medical condition that necessitates an abortion to stabilize their health. This applies to all hospitals in the state with emergency departments, directly affecting those facilities and the patients seeking emergency care. The bill defines "emergency medical condition" to include life-threatening situations like ectopic pregnancy, preeclampsia, or complications from pregnancy loss, requiring hospitals to offer the service unless the patient or their legal representative refuses after being informed of risks and benefits. Hospitals must take reasonable steps to secure written consent for refusal to ensure compliance. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.