Rep. Perry Warren

Maddy summaryThis bill adds a new supplemental monthly annuity to certain Pennsylvania state retirees' benefits, effective July 2025. It applies to retirees receiving superannuation, withdrawal, or disability annuities who retired before July 2, 2001, and do not have specific service credits (like Class D-4 or Class AA). The additional payment amount is a percentage of their July 2025 monthly annuity, ranging from 10% to 20% based on their retirement date. The cost will be funded through equal annual installments over 10 years starting July 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 933 increases penalties for construction employers who misclassify workers as independent contractors, raising fines to $2,500 for a first violation and $5,000 for subsequent violations. It expands accountability to include general contractors and other parties who knowingly contract with employers that misclassify workers, subjecting them to the same penalties. The bill also adds a three-year ban on public contracts for intentional violators and clarifies that stop-work orders can require construction to halt within 24 hours for intentional misclassification, applying to successor businesses.

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 summaryHB 860 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to prohibit public schools from removing library books or instructional materials based on specific reasons, such as an author's race, gender identity, political views, or content about sexuality. It directly affects public school entities (including districts, charter schools, and libraries) by banning "soft censorship" - removing materials outside formal review processes - and requires schools to publicly report such removals. The bill mandates that materials can only be removed following a defined procedure, ensuring decisions are based on educational appropriateness, not personal views. It also requires schools to provide online complaint forms for students or parents who experience unauthorized removals, referencing data showing 457 book challenges in Pennsylvania from 2021-2022. The law aims to protect students' access to diverse learning resources while aligning with First Amendment principles.

Maddy summaryHB 845 creates a new administrative process for Pennsylvania residents to legally change their name, allowing applications to be submitted directly to the Department of Health (online or at driver's license centers) instead of requiring court petitions for most cases. It requires applicants to provide background information and a county-level criminal record check to confirm no outstanding judgments. The bill maintains court oversight for name changes involving minors when a parent or guardian does not consent, requiring additional documentation to demonstrate reasonable efforts to obtain consent. This change primarily affects individuals seeking name changes, streamlining the process for adults while preserving judicial review for minor-related cases.

Maddy summaryHB 838 creates a program allowing qualified health care facilities - such as hospitals, medical specialist centers, and physical therapy centers - to issue temporary disability parking placards valid for up to six months. Individuals seeking a temporary placard must apply directly to an enrolled facility and sign a statement confirming they meet the disability criteria. The facility then requires a health care provider to certify the disability and submit the application electronically to the state department to update records. This change streamlines access to temporary parking permits without requiring individuals to go through the state’s standard application process.

Maddy summaryHB 823 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to replace annual fire drills with "school security drills" in all public school buildings. It requires schools to conduct one security drill per year (after the first 90 days of school), with specific rules: drills must be age-appropriate, avoid violent simulations (like fake weapons or injuries), include mental health professionals, and require 7 days' advance notice to parents. Schools must also hold a debriefing period with mental health support immediately after each drill. This bill directly affects all Pennsylvania public schools and their students, shifting focus from fire safety to comprehensive security planning.

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 summaryHB 801 creates new rules for default judgments in consumer debt collection cases in Pennsylvania. It requires creditors to include specific details in their complaints before a court can issue a default judgment, such as the consumer’s name/address, creditor’s name, last payment date, and exact debt amount. The law applies to unsecured debts (like credit cards) and secured debts where only a money judgment is sought, but excludes government debt collections and cases seeking property possession. This aims to increase transparency and prevent creditors from using vague or incomplete claims to win default judgments against consumers.

Maddy summaryHB 803 requires Pennsylvania high schools (grades 9-12) to maintain opioid antagonists like naloxone (Narcan) on-site and train staff to use them during suspected overdose emergencies. Schools must develop a policy within 60 days with the Department of Education, detailing safe storage, administration procedures, and mandatory hospital transport after use. Trained staff, including nurses or teachers, can administer the medication in good faith without facing legal liability, criminal charges, or professional penalties. This law directly affects all public, charter, private, and nonpublic high schools in Pennsylvania, aiming to improve emergency response to opioid overdoses among students and staff.