Rep. Jessica Benham

Maddy summaryHB 367, the Flexible Working Arrangements Act, gives employees in Pennsylvania with employers of 50+ staff the right to request flexible work options like adjusted hours, remote work, or job sharing once yearly. Employers must consider these requests in good faith, respond in writing if requested, and cannot retaliate - though they may deny requests only if they would harm business operations (e.g., cause excessive costs or disrupt service). The Department of Labor and Industry will enforce the law, issuing warnings for first violations and imposing up to $500 per violation for repeat offenses. The bill does not override existing employment rights or collective bargaining agreements.

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 168 amends Pennsylvania's Taxpayer Relief Act to update the definition of "income" for senior citizens' property tax and rent rebate eligibility. It adds a provision allowing seniors who were eligible for these rebates as of December 31, 2018, to retain benefits if household income temporarily exceeds limits solely due to Social Security cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs). This replaces a previous temporary rule that expired in 2016 for seniors eligible as of December 31, 2012. The bill directly affects Pennsylvania seniors receiving property tax or rent rebates who experience automatic income increases from Social Security COLAs.

Maddy summaryHB 186 amends Pennsylvania's 1936 Unemployment Compensation Law to adjust appeal deadlines for unemployment benefit disputes. It extends the standard appeal window from 21 to 30 days for claimants and employers challenging benefit determinations, and adds a 60-day appeal period when a decision date is revised more than one year after the original notice. These changes directly affect unemployed workers (claimants) and employers who dispute benefit awards or payment decisions. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 107 amends Pennsylvania's Local Option Small Games of Chance Act to allow licensed organizations (such as nonprofits and charities) to accept electronic payments for games of chance and conduct online raffles. The bill requires organizations to verify that online raffle buyers are physically located in Pennsylvania and at least 18 years old before accepting payment. It permits credit/debit cards and mobile payment services for raffle tickets but prohibits sales outside Pennsylvania or to minors. The legislation also removes a conflicting regulation in the Pennsylvania Code to align with these new provisions.

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 establishes a new chapter within Pennsylvania's emergency management laws to formalize counterterrorism planning, preparedness, and response efforts. It creates structures for regional and statewide teams, including specialized medical and mortuary units, to handle potential terrorist incidents or disasters. The legislation defines specific agreements that allow local governments and private entities to contribute personnel and resources while receiving compensation and access to state communication centers. Additionally, the bill incorporates federal standards for incident management and authorizes the construction of necessary facilities to support these new emergency response capabilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new state program to provide insurance and financial assistance for property damage caused by landslides and subsidence resulting from coal and clay mining. It creates a dedicated insurance board and fund to administer coverage for homeowners and businesses in affected areas, particularly in southwestern Pennsylvania. The legislation outlines how premiums will be set, how claims will be processed, and how the program will be funded through an insurance fund and a separate assistance fund. Additionally, the bill assigns oversight duties to the Auditor General and allows insurance companies to offer coverage for these specific risks.

Maddy summaryHB 155 amends the Pennsylvania Health Care Facilities Act to update licensing requirements and strengthen consumer protections for residents of health care facilities. The bill includes a specific change to strike the phrase "or other" from the text, which alters how certain regulatory language is applied within the law. By modifying the existing statute and abrogating a specific regulation, the legislation aims to refine the legal framework governing health care facility operations. This measure directly impacts health care providers and facility administrators who must comply with the revised licensing standards.

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.