Rep. Jason Ortitay

Maddy summaryThis bill requires private health insurers and state-managed health plans to cover biomarker testing when it is used to diagnose, treat, or monitor a specific disease or condition. The legislation defines biomarker testing as the analysis of tissue, blood, or other biological samples to identify indicators of biological processes, while explicitly excluding coverage for general screening purposes. Coverage for these tests must follow the same rules as other medical services, including standard cost-sharing and medical necessity reviews, and the changes will take effect 180 days after the bill is signed.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Pennsylvania's Public School Code to update funding rules for two specific programs: the Keystone Telepresence Education Grant Program and a disability-inclusive curriculum pilot. It allows the state education department to use up to $300,000 annually from existing, unspent funds to award grants to eligible schools and districts. The legislation also clarifies that these funds must be moved to a restricted account by the Secretary of the Budget before they can be used. These changes aim to provide more flexibility in utilizing available money to support virtual learning tools and inclusive educational materials without requiring new budget allocations.

Maddy summaryHB 2444 amends Pennsylvania's Local Option Small Games of Chance Act to update definitions and rules for games of chance, specifically allowing for new types of electronic pull-tab systems and games. The bill clarifies what constitutes an electronic pull-tab device and game, explicitly prohibiting them from simulating casino-style games like slots or blackjack, while also defining other game formats such as event games and progressive pull-tab games. It establishes new prize limits, setting a general maximum of $10,000 per individual prize and a separate limit of $20,000 for jackpots in progressive or subset pull-tab games. Additionally, the legislation introduces stricter regulations on distributor licenses and manufacturer registration, requires licensed organizations to undergo audits by the Auditor General, and outlines penalties for license revocation.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new restricted account to collect annual fees from individuals in Pennsylvania who are required to register as sexual offenders. Under the new provisions, the Pennsylvania State Police will charge these registrants a $40 annual fee, with the option to increase this amount through a formal legislative process. All money collected from these fees will be deposited into the newly created account, which can only be used by the General Assembly to fund the maintenance and improvement of the sexual offender registry. The law takes effect 60 days after it is passed.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Fiscal Code to adjust funding rates for personal assistance services provided under the Community HealthChoices program starting in January 2025. It mandates that providers receiving these funds spend at least 80% of their budget on worker salaries and benefits, while offering an enhanced rate to providers who invest 90% or more in wages. The legislation also directs the Department of Human Services to conduct regular reviews of these rates every three years to ensure they reflect local wage data and cost factors. Additionally, the bill allocates specific budget increases for direct care workers, including a 16% raise for consumer-directed services and a 10% raise for agency-directed services.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Pennsylvania Department of Health to create a program for maintaining an emergency stockpile of medical supplies, such as vaccines, drugs, and protective equipment, to be used during declared disasters. To manage this stockpile, the department must hire a private third-party contractor with at least three years of federal experience and the capacity to handle over one million square feet of warehouse space. The selected contractor will be responsible for procuring supplies, ensuring they are stored in proper conditions, tracking inventory in real-time, and managing the rotation of items before they expire. The legislation also requires the department to notify state legislative leaders once a contract is awarded to administer this new emergency preparedness program.