Rep. Liz Hanbidge

Maddy summaryThis bill allows accessory dwelling units (ADUs), such as secondary apartments or backyard cottages, to be built on properties with single-family homes across Pennsylvania. It requires every municipality to adopt a simple ordinance permitting at least one ADU per lot and mandates that applications be approved within 30 days (or 60 days with additional review), with automatic approval if deadlines are missed. Municipalities may charge a maximum $250 fee for processing and cannot require permit renewals. The law respects existing deed restrictions and planned community rules while aiming to increase housing options through standardized ADU access.

Maddy summaryHB 1814 requires Pennsylvania public school students to store cell phones securely during the school day - either in a lockbox or a locked case - while in school buildings. The bill directly affects all public school students, with exceptions for those in volunteer fire/rescue groups or needing phones for immediate family medical emergencies (with principal approval). Schools must update their written policies to implement these rules, subject to approval by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a non-binding resolution that officially designates June 2, 2026, as "Cancer Action Day" in Pennsylvania to raise awareness about the state's high cancer rates. It highlights statistics on cancer diagnoses and deaths in the Commonwealth while noting disparities in access to care for various communities. The resolution urges lawmakers to support future legislation aimed at improving cancer prevention, detection, and treatment services. As a commemorative measure, the bill does not create new laws or allocate funding but serves to honor those affected by cancer and advocate for improved health outcomes.

Maddy summaryThis resolution directs the Joint State Government Commission to study Pennsylvania's disability waiver programs. It specifically examines how to improve experiences for individuals receiving Home and Community-Based Services waivers through the Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) and Office of Developmental Programs (ODP). The study will assess medical care access, healthcare support barriers, and staffing challenges for waiver participants. The findings will inform future improvements to these services, focusing on people with disabilities who rely on community-based care instead of institutional settings. (HR 134, 2025)

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 directs the Pennsylvania Department of Health to create a grant program designed to help healthcare providers and facilities run education campaigns about prostate cancer and general prostate health. The Department of Health will manage the program by accepting applications from eligible local healthcare entities and awarding grants ranging from $1,000 to $30,000 to fund the creation and distribution of educational materials. A dedicated fund will be established in the State Treasury to hold money from the General Assembly, donations, and grants, with any leftover funds staying in the program rather than returning to the general state budget. Additionally, the Department of Health is required to submit annual reports to the General Assembly detailing how many grants were awarded, the total amounts involved, and a summary of the educational activities carried out by the recipients.

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 summaryThis bill requires Pennsylvania's Public Utility Commission to create a centralized online database tracking all utility rates and rate increase requests. The database must be searchable by company, entity, utility type, year, or docket number and will store information for at least the previous 20 years. The commission must update the database within 10 days of receiving a new rate increase request and may hire a third party to manage the system. This change directly affects utility customers by making historical pricing data more accessible and transparent.

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 summaryHB 1291 amends Pennsylvania's legal notices statute to clarify definitions and requirements for publishing legal notices. It updates terms like "advertisement" and "digital newspaper" to specify that legal notices must appear in newspapers of general circulation and prohibits unauthorized publications. The bill makes editorial changes to existing definitions without creating new requirements for publishers or government entities. This procedural update ensures consistency in how legal notices are published under current law.