Rep. Izzy Smith-Wade-El

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the sale, manufacture, or distribution of firefighting protective gear containing intentionally added PFAS chemicals starting January 1, 2028. The law allows for exceptions if the State Fire Commissioner determines that using these chemicals is unavoidable and issues specific guidance. Violations of the ban can result in civil penalties of up to $5,000 for a first offense and up to $10,000 for subsequent offenses. Any fines collected from these penalties will be split equally between the Fire Company Grant Program and the Emergency Medical Services Grant Program.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania laws to update definitions and policies regarding utility customer protection programs for residential electricity, natural gas, and water services. It clarifies who qualifies as a customer or applicant for assistance, establishes specific income thresholds for determining financial hardship, and expands the scope of these protections to include water and sewer authorities in second-class cities. The legislation also standardizes terms related to complaints, payment arrangements, and service termination to ensure consistent application across different utility types.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires hospitals, nursing homes, and home health agencies in Pennsylvania to create violence prevention committees to address workplace violence against employees. These committees must include a mix of management, union or elected non-union staff, and direct care workers who will conduct annual risk assessments, track incidents, and develop safety plans. The legislation also mandates that employees report violence within 24 hours, protects reporters from retaliation, and requires facilities to make risk reports public while maintaining records for at least three years. Health facilities that fail to comply with these new reporting and prevention duties face administrative fines of up to $10,000 per violation.

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 bill creates a five-year pilot program to provide funding for restoring school libraries in Pennsylvania's low-achieving schools. Eligible schools can receive grants of up to $170,000 to purchase books, digital resources, and technology, as well as to hire or train certified school librarians. The Department of Education will select at least 12 schools representing diverse student demographics to participate, and the program requires annual reporting and an independent evaluation to assess its impact on student performance.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania real property laws to prevent homeowners and condominium owners from being blocked by deed restrictions or community rules from installing solar energy systems on their detached roofs or townhouse units. It establishes clear definitions for "solar energy systems" and "detached roofs" to ensure these protections apply to the correct types of residential properties. While the law prohibits outright bans, it allows homeowners' associations to set reasonable regulations regarding safety, aesthetics, and certification to maintain community standards. The changes take effect 60 days after the bill is enacted, giving communities time to update their governing documents.

Maddy summaryThis bill restricts public access to eviction records in Pennsylvania by automatically placing such files under limited access seven years after the case is filed or once a judgment is satisfied. It prohibits courts, landlords, and consumer reporting agencies from sharing these records with the public or using them in tenant screening reports, while still allowing access to the parties involved, their attorneys, and specific entities like nonprofit researchers. Landlords are required to notify the court within 30 days if a tenant pays a money judgment in full or vacates the property by the agreed date. The legislation also creates a private right of action for tenants, allowing them to seek damages of up to two months' rent or $5,000, whichever is greater, along with attorney fees, if their eviction records are improperly disclosed.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's Second Class Township Code to establish a clearer process for filling vacancies on township boards of supervisors. It creates a "vacancy board" made up of the current supervisors and one registered elector appointed by them to fill empty seats within fifteen days if the supervisors do not act. If the vacancy board cannot fill a position or if most supervisor seats are empty, the bill allows the remaining board members or residents to petition a court to appoint a replacement. The changes are designed to ensure that township leadership positions are filled promptly without requiring a full election for every opening.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Municipalities Financial Recovery Act to update how receivers manage distressed municipalities. It specifically requires that before a receiver can sell, lease, or dispose of a municipality's assets, they must obtain approval from 75% of the governing bodies of neighboring municipalities that share service agreements or rely on the distressed entity for water or sewer services. The law mandates that this approval be granted through a formal resolution passed by a majority vote at a public meeting, with results sent within 48 hours. These changes aim to ensure that communities directly affected by asset sales have a significant voice in the decision-making process.

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.