Rep. Jessica Benham

Maddy summaryHB 2044 requires gun owners in Pennsylvania to report the theft or loss of a firearm to law enforcement within 48 hours. It directly affects individuals who legally own firearms by imposing a new reporting obligation. The bill specifies that failure to report within the required timeframe would be considered a misdemeanor offense, subjecting violators to penalties. This amendment modifies existing firearm laws under Title 18 to strengthen accountability for lost or stolen weapons.

Maddy summaryHB 2059 amends Pennsylvania's prison laws to establish clearer rules for segregated confinement (seclusion in prison cells) and create oversight. It directly affects incarcerated people in Pennsylvania prisons by requiring a new Segregated Confinement Hearing Review Board to review cases where individuals are placed in segregation. The bill sets specific time limits for segregation, mandates regular reviews by the board, and updates definitions in prison statutes to improve transparency. These changes aim to prevent indefinite or arbitrary segregation while providing a formal process for review.

Maddy summaryHB 1741 updates definitions and administrative procedures for Pennsylvania's Agriculture Conservation Assistance Program under the Fiscal Code. It clarifies terms and outlines specific responsibilities for state agencies managing the program, directly affecting farmers seeking conservation assistance and the agencies that administer it. The bill focuses on improving program clarity and operational structure without changing funding levels or eligibility criteria. This procedural amendment aims to streamline how the program is implemented and managed.

Maddy summaryThe bill title contains a factual inconsistency: Pennsylvania's criminal code (Title 18) does not govern animal welfare practices like declawing. Declawing prohibitions are typically addressed in animal welfare statutes (e.g., Title 34), not criminal offenses. The title incorrectly lists "prohibition on declawing cats" under a criminal code amendment, which would be legally inaccurate. Therefore, a meaningful summary of the bill's actual provisions cannot be provided based on this erroneous title description.

Maddy summaryHB 1939 amends the Human Services Code to establish new fee schedule rates for public assistance programs. It directly affects healthcare and social service providers who deliver services through state-funded public assistance programs. The bill's key provision sets standardized payment rates that these providers will receive for specific services. This change aims to update reimbursement structures within the existing public assistance framework. The bill was recently referred to the Human Services committee for further review.

Maddy summaryHR 271 is a resolution directing the Joint State Government Commission to establish an advisory committee and study indoor air quality concerns affecting seniors and children in the Commonwealth. It requires the commission to conduct a formal review of current air quality standards and potential health impacts in these vulnerable groups' living environments. The key mechanism involves creating a committee to gather data, analyze risks, and recommend improvements to indoor air quality policies. This resolution does not create new laws but mandates a study to inform future policy decisions.

Maddy summaryHB 798 amends Pennsylvania's 1929 Administrative Code to update requirements for state departmental reporting. It affects state agencies by modifying how they submit reports, though specific changes are not detailed in the provided context. The bill has been referred to Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness and later re-referred to State Government for further review. As a procedural amendment to an outdated administrative code, it does not directly impact residents or introduce new policies.

Maddy summaryHB 589 creates a state-run insurance program and dedicated fund to cover property damage from landslides and sinkholes. It directly affects property owners in high-risk areas by providing a new insurance option when private coverage is unavailable or unaffordable. The bill establishes a Landslide and Sinkhole Insurance Board to manage the fund and program, while requiring the Auditor General to oversee financial accountability. It also includes a penalty provision for non-compliance and specifies fund transfers to support the program's operations. The bill passed final passage on September 29, 2025, and is now under review by the Community, Economic & Recreational Development committee.

Maddy summaryHB 1212 requires Pennsylvania maternal health programs to provide drug screening and awareness education to patients. It also mandates the inclusion of fatherhood engagement strategies in prenatal care discussions, directly affecting pregnant individuals and their partners receiving maternal health services. The bill imposes specific duties on the Joint State Government Commission to develop and oversee these program requirements. These provisions aim to integrate substance use prevention and family involvement into standard maternal health care protocols.

Maddy summaryThe context provided does not include the specific provisions, definitions, or policy changes of HB 1496. The bill title indicates it amends Pennsylvania's Price Gouging Act (2006) regarding definitions and prohibited price gouging, but no concrete details about the amendments are given. Without additional information on what the bill changes or how it affects consumers or businesses, a substantive summary cannot be created. The bill remains pending in committee with no further legislative action described.