Rep. Steve Malagari

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Pennsylvania schools to create and distribute mental health awareness materials specifically for student athletes, their parents, and coaches. It mandates that these groups sign an acknowledgment form each year confirming they have reviewed information about mental health warning signs and available resources. Additionally, the law requires coaches to complete an approved mental health training course annually before they can lead any athletic activity. Schools may also hold informational meetings at the start of each season to discuss these topics with students, families, and staff. Coaches who fail to complete the required training face suspensions that increase in severity with each violation, ranging from the remainder of the current season to permanent removal from coaching.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Maternal and Newborn Supply Kit Program in Pennsylvania to provide parents and guardians with a package of essential health products and educational materials. To receive the kit, which includes items like postpartum pads, baby diapers, and care instructions, parents must complete an online education syllabus or be referred by a community organization. The Department of Health will manage the program using a dedicated state fund and may partner with private organizations to distribute the kits while reporting on their effectiveness annually. The program is designed to operate for two years with the goal of improving maternal and infant health outcomes.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania bill amends state insurance laws to update definitions and clarify the responsibilities of the health insurance exchange authority. It establishes a framework for collecting fees from insurers to fund either a reinsurance program, an affordability assistance program, or both, with a cap of 3.5% on total monthly premiums. The legislation also directs the state to apply for a federal waiver to allow the creation of a reinsurance program and to maximize federal funding for it. Additionally, the bill outlines how an affordability assistance program would work in 2025 to provide financial benefits to consumers based on income or other eligibility criteria without creating a permanent entitlement.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends existing legislation to update the structure and numbering of regulations within the meat packing and food processing industry. It modifies specific sections to create facility health and safety committees, establish an industry workers' rights coordinator, and adjust penalty provisions. The text also revises emergency medical transportation requirements and reorganizes the bill's internal sections for clarity. These changes aim to refine how workplace safety is managed and enforced in food processing facilities without altering the core intent of the original act.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance companies in Pennsylvania to allow participating healthcare providers to choose how they receive payments, rather than forcing them to accept only credit card transactions. Insurers must inform providers about all available payment options, disclose any associated fees, and provide clear instructions on how to select a method. The law also prohibits charging fees for transmitting payments unless the provider agrees to them, while allowing billing agents to charge for specific management services. These rules apply to licensed hospitals, doctors, and other regulated medical professionals who have contracts with health insurers.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates the week of June 2 through 8, 2024, as "Chesapeake Bay Awareness Week" within Pennsylvania. It does not change any laws or allocate funding but instead encourages residents and visitors to participate in events and educational programs that highlight the importance of the Chesapeake Bay to the state. The resolution serves as a commemorative measure to raise public awareness about the bay's ecological significance and its role in the region's economy and history.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Pennsylvania's Health Care Facilities Act to regulate abortion facilities similarly to ambulatory surgical centers. It requires these facilities to follow the same safety regulations and classification standards as surgical centers, while also granting them the ability to request specific exceptions to those rules. The legislation explicitly prohibits requiring abortion facilities to have transfer agreements with hospitals or for their staff to hold admitting privileges at hospitals. Additionally, the bill removes certain existing definitions that previously applied to these facilities and repeals a related state regulation.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends a House resolution that urges Congress to continue supporting Taiwan and marks the 45th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act. The specific changes remove references to the Organization and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change from the resolution text. These edits refine the language of the commemorative measure without altering its core message of support for Taiwan.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania election laws to allow the use of electronic poll books and establishes a funding mechanism through bonds to purchase election infrastructure equipment. It requires county election boards to adopt these digital systems for early voting locations and half of all polling places on election day starting in 2025, with full implementation across all precincts by 2026. The legislation mandates that these devices must securely connect to the statewide voter registration system, track voter participation in real-time, and maintain paper backups in case of technical failures. Additionally, the bill introduces same-day voter registration options on election day and during early voting periods while removing previous rules regarding voter registration transfers and party enrollment changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates a specific bridge in Doylestown Township, Bucks County, as the Donald E. Parlee Memorial Bridge to honor the late Dr. Parlee. The legislation formally names the structure after the physician, who was known for his long career in radiology, military service, and extensive community philanthropy. To implement this change, the Department of Transportation is required to install and maintain official signs displaying the new name for traffic traveling in both directions. The act will take effect 60 days after being passed.