Rep. Liz Hanbidge

Maddy summaryHB 1944 amends Pennsylvania law to create a "safe harbor" protection for individuals required to report suspected child abuse (mandated reporters) who report under Section 6308(a) of Title 18. The bill directly affects professionals like teachers, doctors, and social workers who have a legal duty to report abuse. Its key provision shields these reporters from legal consequences if they report suspected abuse in good faith, even if the report later proves incorrect. This change aims to encourage reporting by reducing fear of liability for honest mistakes. The bill is currently referred to the Judiciary Committee.

Maddy summaryHB 2013 amends Pennsylvania's Board of Vehicles Act to require that vehicle manufacturers and distributors have continuously offered electric vehicles for at least 12 months before owning, operating, or controlling up to five electric vehicle dealerships. This rule applies specifically to dealerships that trade solely in electric vehicles and are not part of an existing franchise arrangement with a manufacturer. The bill does not change existing franchise requirements but adds a new condition for expanding electric vehicle dealership ownership. The amendment takes effect 60 days after the bill becomes law.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires electric distribution companies in Pennsylvania to create and publish online maps showing how much additional power their local grids can support. These maps must be updated every two months and include details on available capacity, existing power sources, and any grid limitations that could affect new connections. The legislation also mandates that utilities provide clear, standardized information about reliability issues and planned upgrades to help customers and businesses plan their energy needs. Additionally, the bill establishes a process for individuals to request specific grid data and ensures that utilities cannot unfairly deny access to this information.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Radiation Protection Act to update definitions and establish new fees for nuclear facilities and radioactive material transport. It clarifies the definition of independent spent fuel storage installations and requires operators of nuclear power reactor sites to pay annual fees to the Department of Environmental Resources, with specific amounts set for sites that still store spent fuel. Additionally, the legislation mandates that shippers of spent nuclear fuel and other radioactive materials pay a fee for each vehicle, railroad, or barge shipment moving through the state. The bill also introduces a cost recovery mechanism for shut-down reactors, allowing the agency to charge owners for incident response costs if all spent fuel has been moved to approved dry cask storage. These changes aim to generate revenue for radiation safety programs and emergency preparedness without altering the core regulatory authority of the state.

Maddy summaryHB 2084 establishes the Pennsylvania Promise Program, providing scholarships for tuition, fees, and room and board to eligible Pennsylvania residents attending college. It directly affects two groups: students under 24 (or active military) who must be Pennsylvania residents, have a high school diploma, and complete the FAFSA; and adult learners 24 or older seeking reeducation with similar requirements. The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency administers the program and a dedicated fund, covering tuition up to the state's maximum in-state rate and room and board based on agency standards. The program applies to community colleges, state-owned institutions, state-related universities, and Thaddeus Stevens College.

Maddy summaryHB 37 modifies Pennsylvania's Election Code to change how counties process absentee and mail-in ballots. It requires county election boards to pre-canvass all such ballots received before election day at least seven days prior, with 48-hour public notice posted online. The bill also mandates that counties begin reviewing ballots at 7 a.m. on election day without interruption until all ballots received by that time are processed. These changes directly affect county election offices, candidates, and voters who use absentee or mail-in ballots, while aligning with funding requirements for the Election Integrity Grant Program.

Maddy summaryHB 836 prohibits Pennsylvania from interfering with the use of medically appropriate assisted reproductive technology (ART), such as in vitro fertilization (IVF), ensuring individuals can access these services without state restrictions. The bill defines ART to include specific fertility procedures and requires that any new state laws must comply with this protection unless explicitly exempted by the legislature. It takes effect immediately, providing direct safeguards for individuals seeking ART services and healthcare providers offering them.

Maddy summaryHB 1262 amends Pennsylvania's Election Code to update campaign finance reporting rules for candidates and political committees. It requires electronic filing of reports for campaign activity exceeding $250 (instead of paper filings for smaller amounts), mandates electronic signatures for all submissions, and imposes a 24-hour deadline for reporting late contributions or independent expenditures over $500. The bill replaces "perjury" penalties with "unsworn falsification" penalties under state law for false filings and clarifies that political committees must submit candidate-signed affidavits confirming compliance with election laws. These changes primarily affect candidates, political committees, and campaign treasurers managing campaign finances.

Maddy summaryHB 1678 adds a 45-mill tax plus a 5-mill surtax on gross receipts from digital advertising services displayed to users within Pennsylvania. It directly affects digital advertising providers (e.g., companies running banner or search ads) but exempts broadcast and news media entities. The tax applies to revenue from ads shown on digital interfaces (websites, apps) where users are located in Pennsylvania, excluding sales of internet access, telecom hardware, and resale services. The law takes effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new chapter in Pennsylvania law to regulate medical devices by banning specific toxic chemicals known as ortho-phthalates, with a primary focus on DEHP. The legislation targets manufacturers of intravenous solution containers and tubing, which currently use these chemicals to make plastic flexible. By prohibiting the intentional addition of these substances, the bill aims to prevent the chemicals from leaching into patient fluids and reducing the effectiveness of cancer treatments. The law is based on findings that these compounds can act as endocrine disruptors, potentially harming reproductive health and contributing to drug resistance in cancer cells.