Rep. Natalie Mihalek

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House resolution designates March 2025 as "Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month" in the state. It does not create new laws or funding but aims to raise public awareness about colorectal cancer prevention, screening, and survival rates. The resolution highlights key statistics, such as colorectal cancer being the second deadliest cancer in Pennsylvania and the fact that 68% of deaths could be prevented with screening. It directly affects all Pennsylvanians by encouraging awareness and early detection efforts during the designated month.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates March 2025 as "Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania. It is a symbolic designation with no new policies, funding, or regulatory changes. The resolution acknowledges colorectal cancer statistics and the importance of screening, but does not alter health programs or requirements. It serves solely to recognize the disease through an official state observance.

Maddy summaryHB 77 updates Pennsylvania's food protection laws to align with the 2022 FDA Food Code. It requires retail food facilities (like restaurants and grocery stores) to prominently display employee allergy awareness posters detailing major allergens and symptoms, and to include allergen information on menus or written materials for customers. The bill also revises definitions of "potentially hazardous food" and mandates that the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture adopt the FDA Food Code standards, with updates published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

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 updates Pennsylvania's Public School Code to require schools to notify parents when a student is diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. It mandates that schools provide education about the condition and ensures parents are informed of any medical treatments or care plans involving their child. The legislation also clarifies that these requirements apply to both public and nonpublic schools, including those that operate health units. By making these changes, the law aims to improve communication between schools and families regarding diabetes management.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania bill establishes new pension benefits for retired public employees starting in 2025. It provides an additional monthly payment to eligible retirees from state education and government systems who retired before 2001, with the amount calculated as a percentage of their July 2025 annuity based on their original retirement date. The legislation also creates a special one-time adjustment for retired municipal police officers and firefighters, ensuring these groups receive increased benefits. Funding for these new payments will be spread over ten years beginning in 2025, and the benefits are not available to survivors of members who died before that date.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's stalking laws by clarifying the specific actions that constitute the crime of stalking under Title 18. It directly affects individuals who engage in repeated courses of conduct or communications toward another person, such as following someone without authority. The key provision defines stalking as knowingly or recklessly placing another person in reasonable fear of bodily injury or causing them substantial emotional distress. The bill also removes previous language regarding the intent behind these actions, focusing instead on the actual fear or distress caused. If passed, these changes would take effect 60 days after the law is enacted.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's stalking laws by clarifying how the offense is graded based on the relationship between the perpetrator and the victim. Under the new provisions, a first stalking offense remains a misdemeanor, but it becomes a felony if the person has a prior history of violence against the same victim or family member. The legislation also establishes stricter penalties when an adult stalks a minor, elevating the crime to a felony depending on the age gap between them. These changes directly affect individuals charged with stalking and aim to provide clearer sentencing guidelines for repeat offenders and cases involving minors.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new nonpublic database registry within the Pennsylvania State Police to track individuals convicted of specific domestic violence offenses. The registry will be accessible only to law enforcement agencies and victim advocates, containing electronic records of offenders who have been convicted of crimes such as murder, aggravated assault, stalking, or strangulation committed against family or household members. Those required to register must remain on the list for varying durations depending on the severity of the crime, ranging from five years for lesser offenses to life for murder convictions. The legislation also outlines how the database will be implemented, administered, and allowed to communicate with similar registries in other jurisdictions.