Rep. Jessica Benham

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Pennsylvania State Police to report to the Attorney General and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement when a background check reveals that a person attempting to buy a firearm is unlawfully present in the United States. Additionally, it mandates that judges inform the State Police about individuals who have been found incompetent, involuntarily committed, or treated for mental health issues, as well as those with drug use or addiction problems. These changes aim to improve the sharing of critical information between state authorities and federal immigration officials regarding firearm eligibility. The law will become effective 60 days after it is signed into legislation.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House Resolution officially designates September 15 through October 15, 2024, as Hispanic Heritage Month within the state. The measure directly affects all Pennsylvanians by formally acknowledging the cultures, history, and contributions of the state's Hispanic and Latino communities. It calls on residents to honor these groups through learning, service, and celebration, recognizing their significant role in the Commonwealth's economy and society. The resolution does not alter laws or policies but serves as a symbolic gesture to highlight the importance of Hispanic heritage.

Maddy summaryThis resolution formally designates October 2024 as Polish American Heritage Month within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It directly affects state government officials and institutions by encouraging them to acknowledge and celebrate the history and contributions of people of Polish descent. The measure highlights specific historical milestones, such as early Polish settlements in Jamestown, and honors notable figures like Casimir Pulaski and Marie Curie. By passing this resolution, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives aims to foster appreciation for Polish heritage without altering any laws or policies.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House Resolution designates the week of November 11 through 15, 2024, as Certified Public Accountant Week to recognize the profession's contributions to the state. The measure directly honors the more than 18,000 certified public accountants in Pennsylvania who work in public practice, industry, government, and education. By officially naming this specific week, the resolution aims to express appreciation for the financial and ethical services these professionals provide to taxpayers and businesses. This is a commemorative action rather than a law that changes operational rules or imposes new requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes to clarify which entities must maintain county property contact information lists. It specifically defines "business" and "limited liability company" to ensure these groups, along with individuals, are subject to the same duties as other property owners. The legislation imposes penalties on those who fail to comply with these new reporting requirements, aiming to streamline how property data is managed across the state.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania bill prohibits the intentional addition of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as PFAS, to a wide range of consumer products including cookware, cosmetics, food packaging, and artificial turf. While the law generally bans these chemicals, it allows for their use in specific items if the Department of Environmental Protection determines that no safer alternative exists and the chemical is critical for the product's function. The Department of Environmental Protection is tasked with enforcing these restrictions, managing a public database of PFAS information, and imposing penalties for violations.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's Second Class City Firemen Relief Law to clarify membership rules and improve benefits for surviving spouses and children. It requires new members to sign an agreement forfeiting fund rights upon leaving the fire department and mandates that active members contribute six percent of their wages plus a one-dollar monthly fee, while retirees pay one dollar monthly. The legislation establishes specific death benefits, including a lump sum for all dues paid and monthly survivor payments for widows who die on duty, which continue for up to five hundred weeks or until remarriage. Additionally, it outlines how pensions are distributed to dependent children or parents if there is no surviving spouse, ensuring that total family benefits do not exceed fifty percent of the deceased member's salary.

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 amends Pennsylvania insurance regulations to clarify how dental insurers and their vendors must handle fees associated with electronic payments and credit cards. It requires these entities to inform patients that such fees may apply to their payments and to provide clear instructions on how to find the exact fee amounts. The law explicitly excludes fees charged by financial institutions or merchant servicers selected by the dentist from these notification requirements. Additionally, the bill defines specific types of payment processing entities, such as payment settlement entities and merchant acquiring entities, to ensure clarity in regulatory compliance.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's domestic relations laws to redefine marriage as a civil contract between two individuals, removing the previous legal requirement that it be between one man and one woman. It directly affects couples by eliminating state barriers to same-sex marriage and repeals the specific provision that declared such unions void within the Commonwealth. The legislation also updates the statutory definition of marriage to reflect this inclusive language while removing the section that stated it was public policy to restrict marriage to opposite-sex couples.