Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania bill creates a new Employee Misclassification Working Group to coordinate efforts among state agencies in identifying and addressing cases where workers are incorrectly classified as independent contractors rather than employees. The legislation mandates that the Department of Revenue share tax information with specific labor and unemployment offices to help investigate these misclassification issues and requires the use of federal identification numbers to streamline data matching. The working group itself will be led by a representative from the Department of Labor and Industry and will include members from the Department of Revenue and the Office of Attorney General, with optional participation from local prosecutors and labor enforcement officers. Meetings of the group are required to occur at least every three months to develop and oversee enforcement strategies.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill requires healthcare providers, including physicians and midwives, to offer pregnant and postpartum patients a standardized screening tool for mood and anxiety disorders in their primary language. It mandates that providers share information about available support resources with patients and, with consent, with their accompanying individuals or designated contacts. The legislation also directs the Department of Health to create a public awareness campaign about perinatal mental health and to maintain an updated list of counseling and assistance services.
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.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Underground Utility Line Protection Law by adding specific definitions and clarifying the responsibilities of facility owners, designers, excavators, and project owners. It also establishes duties for damage prevention committees, outlines procedures for issuing compliance orders, and sets administrative penalties for violations. Additionally, the legislation provides a legal mechanism for recovering penalties or forfeitures and includes provisions for the act's expiration.
Maddy summaryThis bill expands workers' compensation coverage to include post-traumatic stress injuries sustained by active volunteer emergency medical services personnel. It specifically defines eligible EMS providers as those designated by a municipality as its primary responder or dispatched via public safety answering points and mutual aid agreements. The legislation also clarifies that compensation is not required to be filed within a specific timeframe and broadens the list of qualified medical professionals who can evaluate these claims to include psychologists and psychiatrists. Finally, the bill sets an immediate effective date for most provisions while delaying the implementation of new sections regarding specific act amendments for one year.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Pennsylvania Prevailing Wage Act to update definitions regarding construction work. Specifically, it adds "rebar system assembly" to the list of covered activities while removing the phrase "or smaller prefabricated components" from the definition of prefabricated components. These changes clarify which specific tasks and materials are subject to prevailing wage requirements for public projects. The bill also outlines updated duties for the Secretary of Labor and Industry in enforcing these provisions.
Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House Resolution directs the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to study the state court system's financial stability and its reliance on fines and fees. The study will examine how different states fund their courts, analyze the impact of fee dependence on various socioeconomic groups, and quantify the costs associated with collecting these fees and enforcing related penalties. The committee is required to consult with other states and relevant organizations before submitting a report with findings and recommendations to legislative leadership within 18 months.
Maddy summaryHB 1742 amends Pennsylvania's personal income tax code to create special provisions for taxpayers living in poverty. The bill allows individuals with an income of $6,500 to $10,000, or married couples with a combined income of $13,000 to $20,000, to receive a refund or forgiveness of any taxes they have overpaid. Eligible taxpayers also receive an additional $9,500 income allowance for each dependent they claim. The poverty income thresholds are set to increase annually based on the Consumer Price Index, ensuring they do not decrease even if inflation rates are negative.
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 prohibits employers in Pennsylvania from punishing, disciplining, or retaliating against employees for refusing to attend meetings or listen to communications about religious or political topics. It defines "voluntary" participation as attendance that is not incentivized by benefits or threatened with negative employment consequences, ensuring employees can opt out without fear of reprisal. To enforce these protections, the law allows aggrieved workers to sue for remedies like reinstatement and back pay, while also requiring employers to post a notice explaining these rights. Additionally, the bill mandates that the Department of Labor and Industry investigate complaints and provides a framework for interested parties to report violations.