Rep. Jill Cooper

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Pennsylvania Department of Health to launch a public education campaign focused on prostate health and cancer screening. The legislation requires the department to provide clear, up-to-date information on risk factors, screening guidelines based on age and risk level, and the benefits and risks of available tests. To support these efforts, the bill establishes a dedicated state fund that can be financed through appropriations, grants, and donations to cover the costs of the campaign. The outreach will utilize various channels, including media, community forums, and partnerships with health providers, while ensuring materials are available in multiple languages.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Patient Test Result Information Act to require laboratories to directly notify patients when their prostate-specific antigen blood tests show abnormal results. Under the new rules, labs must send a notice within five days that includes a plain-language summary of the findings, the name of the doctor who ordered the test, and instructions on how to get the full report. The Department of Health is tasked with overseeing compliance with these notification requirements and creating a publicly available list of age-specific normal and abnormal test levels. While the full results are still sent to the ordering doctor, the law ensures patients receive immediate awareness of potential issues and are encouraged to contact their healthcare provider promptly.

Maddy summaryHR 414 is a Pennsylvania House resolution recognizing May 9-15, 2026, as "National Stuttering Awareness Week" in the state. It symbolically acknowledges the National Stuttering Association’s annual observance to promote understanding of stuttering, a speech disorder affecting approximately 130,000 Pennsylvanians. The resolution highlights common misconceptions about stuttering and emphasizes the importance of reducing stigma, though it does not create new programs or laws. This is a non-binding gesture by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives to support awareness, not a substantive policy change.

Maddy summaryHouse Resolution 396 designates January 2026 as "School Director Recognition Month" in Pennsylvania to honor the 4,500 locally elected school directors serving the state's public school districts. The resolution formally recognizes their roles in providing educational leadership, setting standards, and managing district finances as fiscal stewards of public funds.

Maddy summaryHR 384 is a resolution directing Pennsylvania's Joint State Government Commission to study whether implementing statewide and precinct-level ballot rotation systems would be feasible. The study would examine how rotating candidate order on ballots (to address "ballot order effects" where position may create unfair advantages) could work under state law, including costs, legal constraints, and operational impacts on election offices. It would analyze different rotation approaches for various election types and offices, and produce a report with recommendations for potential future policy changes. The resolution itself does not change election rules but would inform future legislative decisions if the study finds implementation feasible.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to conduct a performance audit on public school policies regarding student screen time. The audit will examine current rules in Pennsylvania schools, compare them to policies in other states, and evaluate whether existing limits achieve their intended goals. The committee is required to submit its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly within one year.

Maddy summaryThis resolution directs the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to conduct a financial study of all municipal storm sewer systems in Pennsylvania for the years 2023 and 2024. The study will examine how these systems are funded, their operating costs, employee numbers, debt levels, and the fees charged to residents and businesses. To ensure accuracy, the analysis must be performed by an independent university professor selected by the committee. The final report, which includes findings and recommendations, is scheduled to be posted online within one year.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs Pennsylvania municipalities to update their planning and zoning laws to specifically regulate large commercial data centers, which are defined as facilities with a peak power demand of 25 megawatts or more. It requires local comprehensive plans to identify suitable sites near existing infrastructure while explicitly protecting prime agricultural land and areas under conservation easements from such development. Additionally, the legislation establishes minimum standards for any data center zoning, including mandatory setbacks of 2,500 feet from residential areas and 300 feet from public roads, along with rules for noise, lighting, water usage, and site restoration. Local governments retain the authority to adopt stricter regulations but must follow these baseline requirements if they choose to permit these facilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Commercial Data Center Transparency Act, requires large data centers in Pennsylvania to publicly disclose their energy, water, and noise impacts. It specifically targets facilities with a peak power demand of 25 megawatts or more, mandating that applicants reveal details in their permit applications regarding water usage, wastewater, air quality, and transportation needs. The law also obligates these facilities to report specific water consumption data to the Department of Environmental Protection if they use more than 100,000 gallons per day or consume 20,000 gallons daily. To ensure compliance, the bill imposes civil penalties on entities that knowingly fail to make required disclosures or submit false information.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates the Monday after Thanksgiving as Pennsylvania Sportsmen's Day to honor hunters, anglers, boaters, and trappers. The resolution recognizes the contributions of these groups to wildlife conservation, habitat management, and local businesses. It also highlights the importance of family traditions and mentorship in passing outdoor skills to younger generations. The bill is a symbolic gesture with no operational changes or new funding requirements.