Rep. Dan Williams

Maddy summaryHB 1742 amends Pennsylvania's personal income tax code to create special provisions for taxpayers living in poverty. The bill allows individuals with an income of $6,500 to $10,000, or married couples with a combined income of $13,000 to $20,000, to receive a refund or forgiveness of any taxes they have overpaid. Eligible taxpayers also receive an additional $9,500 income allowance for each dependent they claim. The poverty income thresholds are set to increase annually based on the Consumer Price Index, ensuring they do not decrease even if inflation rates are negative.

Maddy summaryThis bill introduces restorative justice as a formal sentencing option in Pennsylvania courts, allowing judges to order it either as the sole punishment or alongside traditional penalties like probation or confinement. The legislation defines restorative justice as a participatory process involving victims, offenders, community members, and trained facilitators to address harm, resolve conflicts, and repair relationships through methods such as conferences or circles. By adding specific definitions and procedures to state law, the bill ensures that courts consider this approach when determining sentences, provided all participants voluntarily agree to take part.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the scope of practice for pharmacists in Pennsylvania by allowing them to administer injectable medications, biologicals, and immunizations to patients aged three and older. It establishes new requirements for training, parental consent for minors, and reporting procedures while also permitting pharmacists to delegate these tasks to specific healthcare professionals and qualified pharmacy technicians under strict supervision. Additionally, the legislation grants pharmacies with existing federal waivers the ability to perform certain laboratory tests for common illnesses like COVID-19 and the flu without adhering to some state clinical laboratory regulations.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania bill prohibits the intentional addition of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as PFAS, to a wide range of consumer products including cookware, cosmetics, food packaging, and artificial turf. While the law generally bans these chemicals, it allows for their use in specific items if the Department of Environmental Protection determines that no safer alternative exists and the chemical is critical for the product's function. The Department of Environmental Protection is tasked with enforcing these restrictions, managing a public database of PFAS information, and imposing penalties for violations.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania bill amends the Solid Waste Management Act to clarify definitions and restrict how oil and gas wastewater is handled. It explicitly adds various types of oil and gas wastewater, such as production water and brine, to the legal definition of "residual waste." The legislation prohibits spreading this wastewater on roads or applying it to land, with the sole exception of tophole water used at the specific well site where it was extracted. Additionally, the bill bans vehicles transporting this wastewater from having mechanisms that could facilitate the prohibited disposal or reuse methods. These changes aim to limit the environmental impact of oil and gas operations by preventing the use of wastewater for dust suppression, road deicing, or road stabilization.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania laws to allow online messengers to issue and renew motor carrier road tax identification markers, temporary permits, and related registration cards. To operate under these new rules, online messengers must post a financial bond and follow specific regulations set by the Department of Revenue. The legislation also establishes a $100 fine for online messengers who violate these provisions and clarifies the definition of an online messenger. Additionally, the bill expands tax refund eligibility for truck refrigeration units by increasing the allowable fuel purchase limit from 75 to 100 gallons per transaction.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's Outpatient Psychiatric Oversight Act to clarify who qualifies as an advanced practice professional and to define how telehealth technology is used in mental health care. It allows certified nurse practitioners and physician assistants to provide psychiatric services remotely, provided they obtain mental health certification within two years of hiring or the law's effective date. The legislation requires that at least 50% of treatment and supervision be delivered in person, though clinics can request a waiver to increase remote care if they have a nearby physical facility ready to see patients within 10 days of referral. Additionally, the bill removes outdated regulations and establishes new rules for clinic leadership, ensuring that a psychiatrist oversees treatment standards and participates in regular staff meetings.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Maternal Care Access Program within the Pennsylvania Department of Health to improve maternal health outcomes by directing resources to underserved areas. The legislation defines specific terms like "maternity care desert" and "at-risk" zones based on the availability of obstetric care, birth centers, and medical providers. It authorizes the department to distribute funds to birth centers, obstetrician-gynecologists, certified nurse midwives, and hospitals located in designated zones that lack adequate care options. Additionally, the bill establishes criteria for identifying distressed hospitals and outlines various health and social indicators used to assess maternal vulnerability.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires correctional officers in Pennsylvania to use safety seat belts when transporting detained individuals or inmates in vehicles. It allows for exceptions if using a seat belt would endanger the officer or others, or if the person is being transported on a bus. The Department of Corrections must create specific regulations for seat belt use within 120 days, including rules for transporting pregnant individuals. The law applies to all peace officers and other authorized personnel who transport detainees under official detention.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits employers in Pennsylvania from punishing, disciplining, or retaliating against employees for refusing to attend meetings or listen to communications about religious or political topics. It defines "voluntary" participation as attendance that is not incentivized by benefits or threatened with negative employment consequences, ensuring employees can opt out without fear of reprisal. To enforce these protections, the law allows aggrieved workers to sue for remedies like reinstatement and back pay, while also requiring employers to post a notice explaining these rights. Additionally, the bill mandates that the Department of Labor and Industry investigate complaints and provides a framework for interested parties to report violations.