Rep. Mandy Steele

Maddy summaryHB 66 creates a Pennsylvania program providing $5,000 semester stipends to residents enrolled in accredited Master of Social Work (MSW) programs with a 3.0+ GPA. It directly affects students pursuing social work careers by funding their education through paid internships. The program requires internships at state-approved facilities to meet clinical training and licensing requirements, with stipends adjusted annually for inflation. Funding is contingent on available state budget resources, administered by the Department of Human Services.

Maddy summaryHB 65 modifies Pennsylvania's domestic relations law to clarify that certain relatives (spouses, children, parents) must financially support indigent family members receiving medical assistance for long-term care. The bill requires these relatives to cover costs if they received assets, property, or income from the indigent person below fair market value within five years before the assistance application, or if they refuse to cooperate with eligibility processes. Exceptions include cases where a child was abandoned by a parent for ten years during minority, or if transfers comply with federal or state asset transfer rules. The amount owed is capped at the lesser of six times the relative's excess monthly income or the actual cost of the medical services, with potential full elimination of liability by state regulation.

Maddy summaryThis bill strengthens Pennsylvania's protection from abuse laws by expanding the types of relief courts can grant and clarifying procedures for emergency situations. It allows final protection orders to explicitly include provisions protecting companion animals from abuse, harassment, or relocation, and grants courts the authority to order temporary ownership of these animals during disputes. The legislation also enables hearing officers in certain counties to issue immediate emergency relief when regular courts are unavailable, ensuring faster protection for victims in urgent circumstances. Additionally, the bill clarifies that police officers can make warrantless arrests for violating protection orders based on probable cause, even if the violation is not witnessed directly by the officer. These changes aim to provide more comprehensive and timely safety measures for individuals and their pets facing domestic abuse.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services to submit detailed reports on the state's 988 suicide and crisis lifeline to legislative committees. The initial report, due within 180 days of the law's effective date, must include data on call volumes, answer rates, and awareness campaign performance, followed by an updated report one year later. Additionally, the legislation mandates that the department ensure effective communication with diverse populations and non-English speakers when providing crisis support. These provisions aim to improve oversight and transparency regarding mental health crisis response efforts in the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates how Pennsylvania Game Commission officers are classified and paid. It establishes that full-time officers responsible for enforcing game laws will be compensated in the same way as members of the Pennsylvania State Police. All other personnel, except the director, will continue to be hired and paid according to the state's standard classification and compensation plans. The changes apply to earnings starting from the bill's effective date, which is set to occur 60 days after it is passed.

Maddy summaryHB 1409 updates the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission's authority to set fees for fishing licenses, permits, and issuing agents. The bill allows the commission to adjust specific amounts for various licenses, such as resident annual and senior resident lifetime licenses, as well as different tourist and replacement options, by referencing existing administrative rules. It also establishes fixed fees for special permits, including those for trout fishing and charter boat guides, while capping transaction costs for the automated licensing system at one dollar. This legislation directly impacts anglers and fishing businesses by defining the current fee structure and providing the legal framework for the commission to manage these costs.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania bill establishes new pension benefits for retired public employees starting in 2025. It provides an additional monthly payment to eligible retirees from state education and government systems who retired before 2001, with the amount calculated as a percentage of their July 2025 annuity based on their original retirement date. The legislation also creates a special one-time adjustment for retired municipal police officers and firefighters, ensuring these groups receive increased benefits. Funding for these new payments will be spread over ten years beginning in 2025, and the benefits are not available to survivors of members who died before that date.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires healthcare providers, including physicians and midwives, to offer pregnant and postpartum patients a standardized screening tool for mood and anxiety disorders in their primary language. It mandates that providers share information about available support resources with patients and, with consent, with their accompanying individuals or designated contacts. The legislation also directs the Department of Health to create a public awareness campaign about perinatal mental health and to maintain an updated list of counseling and assistance services.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits retail establishments in Pennsylvania from providing single-use plastic bags or standard paper bags to customers, aiming to reduce plastic waste. It defines specific exemptions for items like bulk produce, medications, and dry-cleaning services, while allowing stores to charge between 10 and 25 cents for recycled paper bags. The legislation requires businesses to post clear signage about the ban and mandates that the Department of Community and Economic Development create regulations and public education plans to enforce the new rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act to update the list of protected characteristics, explicitly adding sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, familial status, handicap, disability, and the use of support animals to existing categories like race and age. The legislation directly affects employers, employment agencies, labor organizations, and providers of housing and public accommodations by clarifying that discrimination based on these new and existing traits is unlawful. It reinforces the state's policy of ensuring equal opportunity and mandates that the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission enforce these protections through established procedures and penalties. Additionally, the bill includes provisions to protect religious exercise while maintaining the commission's powers and duties to prevent prejudice and handle complaints.