Rep. Abigail Salisbury

Maddy summaryHB 894 establishes the Veterans Entering the Sustainability Sector Program (VETSS) to help veterans enter jobs in renewable energy and environmental sectors. The bill creates a Veterans Entering the Sustainability Sector Fund to provide grants to eligible employers - businesses focused on renewable energy (like solar, wind, or bioenergy) that hire veterans who completed approved apprenticeship training in fields such as electrician work, solar installation, or environmental maintenance. The Department of Community and Economic Development will administer the program, overseeing training development and grant applications. This directly affects veterans seeking sustainability-sector careers and employers in renewable energy who hire them, with the goal of addressing environmental concerns like climate change through workforce development.

Maddy summaryHB 739 amends Pennsylvania's 1951 Professional Nursing Law to modernize terminology and clarify roles for advanced practice nurses. It replaces "certified registered nurse practitioner" with "APRN-CNP" throughout the law, defines "collaboration" requirements for new APRN-CNPs (requiring 3,600 practice hours before independent work), and updates definitions for "medical nutrition therapy" and "population focus areas." The bill explicitly removes the State Board of Nursing's authority to license APRN-CNPs, shifting that responsibility elsewhere. These changes directly affect registered nurses seeking advanced practice certification and the Board's regulatory role in nursing licensure.

Maddy summaryHB 719 prohibits Pennsylvania insurance companies from denying coverage, limiting benefits, or charging higher rates to applicants or policyholders solely because they use FDA-approved HIV prevention medications (PrEP for pre-exposure or PEP for post-exposure prophylaxis). The bill directly affects individuals seeking or maintaining insurance coverage who are prescribed these medications for HIV prevention. It bans specific "adverse actions" like coverage denial, reduced benefits, or discriminatory pricing based solely on PrEP or PEP use. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment and enforces violations through existing insurance fraud and unfair practice laws.

Maddy summaryHB 570 requires developers of new residential projects with 30 or more units to include affordable housing units. Specifically, projects must reserve 5% of units for very-low-income households (earning 50% or less of the area median income), 10% for low-income households (up to 80% of median income), and 10% for middle-income households (80-120% of median income). Developers must meet phased completion targets as market-rate units are finished - such as 10% affordable units when 25% of market units are complete - and municipalities may withhold certificates of occupancy if requirements aren’t met. The bill directly affects developers of qualifying new residential projects in Pennsylvania, aiming to increase housing options for lower-income residents.

Maddy summaryHB 528 modifies Pennsylvania's driver license application process by removing the requirement for applicants to provide personal medical information, next of kin details, or emergency contact information on their forms. It also establishes a new process allowing coroners to access, at no cost, three specific records from the Pennsylvania Justice Network: emergency contact details (if voluntarily provided), organ donor status, and a color photograph from the license. These changes apply to all individuals applying for or renewing a driver's license or learner's permit in Pennsylvania. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 443 modifies Pennsylvania's sentencing for second-degree murder convictions, including murder of an unborn child or a law enforcement officer. It reduces maximum sentences: for adults, from life imprisonment to 50 years; for offenders under 18, it sets a maximum of 40 years for those 15+ at the time of crime and 30 years for those under 15. The bill also establishes new parole timelines - 25 years for standard life sentences under this section, 20 years for those under 18 aged 15+, and 15 years for those under 15 - requiring the parole board to prioritize public safety, victim safety, and consider the offender's culpability before granting parole. Additionally, it mandates that victims be notified and given a chance to be heard before parole decisions for these cases.

Maddy summaryHB 386, the "Repairability Index Act," requires original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) selling digital electronic equipment in Pennsylvania to provide a public repairability score (1-10, with 10 being most repairable) based on criteria like parts availability, ease of disassembly, technical documentation, and repair costs. This score must appear on product packaging or via QR codes linking to detailed information on the Attorney General’s website, including model numbers, pricing, and software update policies. The bill directly affects OEMs (e.g., smartphone or laptop manufacturers) selling such products in Pennsylvania, mandating they report scores 90 days before sale. Enforcement is handled by the Attorney General under Pennsylvania’s Unfair Trade Practices law, with penalties for false reporting.

Maddy summaryHB 356 requires Pennsylvania public and private schools serving grades 6-12 to provide annual, evidence-based training on youth suicide awareness and prevention (at least one hour per school year), along with violence prevention training (also one hour annually). For grades K-12, schools must also offer social inclusion training (one hour yearly) focused on identifying social isolation and building peer connections. The Pennsylvania Department of Education must develop and publish a list of approved, no-cost training materials within one year of the law's effective date. These requirements apply directly to all school entities in the state, mandating specific content for students and staff on mental health, violence prevention, and social inclusion.

Maddy summaryHB 275 establishes the Pennsylvania Affordable Homeownership Subsidy Program to help low-to-moderate-income households buy homes. It provides grants (capped at $125,000 per county applicant) for specific projects like homebuyer assistance, property acquisition, and homeownership education, targeting households earning 60%-120% of the area median income (as defined by HUD). The Department of Community and Economic Development will administer the program, set application guidelines, and submit annual reports to the General Assembly on program outcomes. The bill requires sufficient state funding to activate the program, with an effective date 180 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 281 requires health insurance policies in Pennsylvania to cover prostate cancer screenings with no out-of-pocket costs for men aged 40+ who are at high risk. High-risk individuals include those with a family history of prostate cancer, genetic factors, or physician-determined medical need. The law mandates annual coverage for screenings like PSA tests and digital rectal exams, eliminating deductibles or copays. It applies to all health insurance policies issued or renewed 180 days after enactment, with full implementation in 60 days. This directly affects insurers, healthcare providers, and Pennsylvania residents meeting the specified risk criteria.