Rep. Jason Ortitay

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania vehicle laws to establish a new road user charge specifically for electric vehicles. The new fee, set to begin on April 1, 2025, is designed to generate revenue for state roads and bridges, while also updating motorcycle inspection requirements. The legislation takes effect immediately upon approval, with most other provisions becoming active within 60 days.

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 summaryThis Pennsylvania House Resolution officially designates October 2024 as Dyslexia Awareness Month to highlight the condition and its impact on individuals across all demographics. The measure aims to promote public understanding of dyslexia as a neurological learning disability and encourage early diagnosis and intervention. By formally recognizing the month, the resolution seeks to foster advocacy and support for educators, parents, and people affected by dyslexia within the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Emerging Psychologists Workforce Initiative Program in Pennsylvania to help address shortages of mental health professionals by offering financial support to new doctoral-level psychologists. The program provides commitment stipends to eligible applicants who agree to complete an accredited internship in designated shortage areas or facilities and then remain employed there for at least 12 months after finishing their training. To qualify, applicants must be Pennsylvania residents holding a relevant doctoral degree and must not have previously completed a full year of internship hours. The Department of Health is responsible for administering the program, distributing internship positions between rural and urban areas, and enforcing the employment contract terms, including requiring recipients to repay the stipend if they fail to meet the service requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Online Safety Protection Act, requires businesses that provide online services likely to be used by children to prioritize the privacy, safety, and well-being of minors over commercial interests. Companies covered by the law must conduct data protection impact assessments to ensure their products do not cause foreseeable physical, financial, or psychological harm, nor engage in discriminatory practices or use deceptive design tricks called dark patterns. The legislation also defines specific rules for how personal information can be collected and sold, while excluding deidentified data and publicly available information from these restrictions. Penalties are imposed on entities that fail to comply with these duties to protect children's best interests.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code to exclude certain pet adoption fees from sales and use tax. It directly affects nonprofit corporations that act as releasing agencies for dogs under the state's Dog Law. To qualify for this tax exemption, the adoption fees charged by these organizations must not exceed the actual expenses incurred for caring for the animal. The change is set to take effect 60 days after the bill is enacted.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code to allow residents to use a specific federal tax rule regarding partnership property for state income tax purposes. By adding a new subsection to the tax code, the legislation enables taxpayers to elect an optional adjustment to the basis of partnership assets, aligning state calculations with federal provisions found in 26 U.S.C. § 754. The changes will apply to taxable years starting after December 31, 2024, while the act itself takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code to align the state's personal income tax rules with a specific section of the federal Internal Revenue Code regarding how certain income is classified. By adding a new subsection to the state tax law, it ensures that the definitions for these income classes match federal standards for tax years starting after December 31, 2024. The change directly affects Pennsylvania taxpayers and the Department of Revenue, which will use the updated definitions to calculate and collect taxes.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania bill authorizes the Department of Corrections to issue electronic control gloves to corrections officers, with mandatory distribution required for officers working in units housing inmates who have received disciplinary sanctions and are segregated from the general population. The legislation mandates that the department create public written policies for the use, training, maintenance, and storage of these devices and requires all officers to complete an approved training course before receiving them. Additionally, the bill defines electronic control gloves as gloves with electrodes that emit less than 500 volts to temporarily immobilize or restrain individuals and requires their use to comply with existing state guidelines on law enforcement use of force.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Pennsylvania hospitals to publish their standard prices for medical items and services on their websites and provide these lists to the public upon request. The law mandates that hospitals display both a comprehensive list of all charges and a simplified, consumer-friendly version for specific services that patients can schedule in advance. Additionally, the bill prohibits hospitals from taking debt collection actions against patients if the hospital fails to comply with these price transparency requirements. By enforcing these rules, the legislation aims to increase clarity on healthcare costs for patients while holding hospitals accountable for maintaining accurate pricing information.