Rep. Mandy Steele

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the existing Pharmacy Audit Integrity and Transparency Act to refine how pharmacy audits and fees are handled. It clarifies that certain insurance supplements are excluded from specific terms and changes the notice period for additional fees from the time of claim adjudication to thirty days before the fees are applied. The legislation also updates definitions to refer to "generic" drugs instead of "general" ones and expands the scope of federal employee benefit protections. Additionally, it adjusts reporting requirements for pharmacy benefit managers and the state agency overseeing these audits.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a School Meal Debt Fund and creates new rules to ensure all students in Pennsylvania public schools can access meals regardless of their ability to pay. It requires schools to provide meals to any student who requests one unless a parent has explicitly asked for them to be withheld, and it mandates that schools help families apply for free or reduced-price meal programs if a student owes money. The legislation strictly prohibits schools from stigmatizing students with debt by using wristbands, denying participation in activities, or threatening legal action, while also banning the use of collections agencies or credit reporting to recover unpaid meal costs. Additionally, the bill directs the Department of Revenue to share confidential household income data with schools to better determine eligibility for federal assistance and to identify students who need help paying off meal debts.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's existing law to strengthen legal protections for individuals who donate food to charitable or religious organizations. It clarifies that donors are immune from civil or criminal liability if they donate food in good faith after a reasonable inspection confirms it is safe to eat. However, this immunity does not apply if the donor was negligent, reckless, intentionally harmful, or knew the food was contaminated. The legislation also explicitly covers donations of food that is not easily sold due to appearance, age, or expiration dates, while maintaining the government's right to regulate such food.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Administrative Code to update definitions and powers for Pennsylvania's Energy Development Authority. It clarifies what counts as a "project" and "cost" for energy initiatives, specifically including expenses for energy audits, environmental surveys, and infrastructure resilience. The legislation also changes how the Authority's board is structured, reducing the number of governor-appointed members from nine to five and adjusting the voting requirements for board decisions. These changes aim to streamline the Authority's governance while expanding its scope to support various energy-related activities.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Agriculture Innovation Grant Program within the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture to provide financial reimbursement grants to eligible farms and agribusinesses. The program specifically targets projects that utilize new technologies or methods to improve energy efficiency, water quality, production processes, biosecurity, and farm management systems. To oversee the initiative, the legislation creates a new Agriculture Innovation Board composed of representatives from government agencies, higher education, cooperatives, financial institutions, and the legislative branches. Eligible applicants include individuals with anticipated agricultural sales over $2,000 annually or processors with sales exceeding $10,000, as well as service providers and entities utilizing agricultural commodities for product creation.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs Pennsylvania's Human Services department to apply for a federal waiver that would allow SNAP and WIC benefit recipients to use their funds to buy diapers or menstrual hygiene products. The legislation authorizes the department to adopt necessary rules once the USDA approves the waiver, ensuring the state can participate in this potential program change. It does not immediately change how benefits are used but establishes the legal framework to implement such a waiver if federal approval is granted.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a non-binding resolution that formally recognizes June 2024 as "LGBTQ+ Pride Month" within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It directly affects state government agencies and officers by encouraging them to acknowledge the historical significance of LGBTQ+ contributions and the ongoing struggle for equality. The text cites specific local milestones, such as the 1965 sit-in at Dewey's lunch counter in Philadelphia and the establishment of early support organizations, to highlight the state's role in LGBTQ+ history. Ultimately, the measure serves as a symbolic gesture of solidarity and does not create new laws, funding, or enforceable policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Pennsylvania's procurement laws to allow state agencies to purchase supplies and services from organizations employing people with disabilities without requiring competitive bidding. It mandates that these organizations make a significant contribution to production and prohibits the use of subminimum wage certificates for new contracts, with a complete ban on such certificates planned within two years. Additionally, the law requires work environments to become integrated, meaning employees with disabilities must interact with non-disabled coworkers, customers, and the public, and sets up a system for the state to review compliance and determine fair market prices.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a program called the Linked Deposit Impact Pennsylvania Act to help small, for-profit businesses owned by Pennsylvania residents that employ 100 or fewer people and earn less than $10 million annually. Under the plan, the State Treasurer would place funds with approved local banks, which then agree to lend that same amount to eligible small businesses at a reduced interest rate. The legislation requires banks to follow standard lending practices to check borrower creditworthiness and prohibits them from charging fees for participating in the program. Ultimately, the State Treasurer manages the program by reviewing loan applications and deciding how much money to deposit with each participating bank.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Pennsylvania government agencies to prioritize using insecticide-free native plants over non-native options when landscaping state facilities. It mandates that these agencies consider the environmental benefits of such plants, including habitat creation for pollinators and reduced water usage, during construction and maintenance projects. Additionally, the law directs the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to create specific pollinator meadows on unused turfgrass areas at Commonwealth facilities. The legislation defines specific terms like "pollinator meadow" and lists various state departments and entities that must follow these new planting guidelines.