Rep. Liz Hanbidge

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a legal framework for pet insurance in Pennsylvania, requiring insurers to provide clear definitions for terms like preexisting conditions and wellness programs. It mandates that policyholders receive a copy of their insurance policy and allows them to return it within 30 days for a full refund if they are not satisfied. The legislation also sets standards for how pet insurance policies must be sold and requires insurance producers to receive specific training. Finally, the bill outlines penalties for violations and gives the Insurance Commissioner the authority to create further rules and regulations to enforce these standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Pennsylvania's personal income tax law to introduce tax incentives for 529 savings accounts and tuition programs. It allows employers to claim a tax credit for matching employee contributions to 529 accounts, with a limit of $500 per employee per year, provided the employee also contributes to the account. Additionally, the bill updates tuition account rules to prevent fees from being charged when an account is closed due to the beneficiary's death or disability and ensures such payments are not taxed as income. These changes aim to encourage education savings while clarifying tax treatment for specific account events.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's existing Assistance and Service Animal Integrity Act to clarify definitions and establish a formal system for documenting service dogs. It creates a new trained service animal card and a corresponding database managed by the Department of Health to verify the credentials of service animals entering public accommodations. The legislation also updates rules for housing, allowing landlords to request written documentation from tenants only when a disability is not obvious, while providing immunity from liability for injuries caused by registered service animals.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a grant program to provide menstrual hygiene products to students in Pennsylvania public schools without charge. It directs the Department of Education to award funding to school districts that have at least 50% of their students eligible for free or reduced-cost lunch, allowing recipients to purchase items like tampons and pads or install dispensing machines. The program requires that these products be accessible to all students regardless of their gender identity and mandates that schools report how the funds are spent. A total of $100,000 is appropriated from the state's General Fund to support this initiative.

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 updates Pennsylvania's Dog Law by refining definitions and regulations for dog kennels, particularly regarding the importation of animals. It clarifies what constitutes a commercial kennel versus a nonprofit service dog kennel, establishing a lower annual licensing fee of $35 for the latter. The legislation also mandates stricter health protocols for imported dogs, requiring specific veterinary tests and a 14-day quarantine period unless certain conditions are met. Additionally, the bill outlines criteria for revoking kennel licenses if owners are convicted of animal cruelty or sexual offenses against animals.

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 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 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.