Rep. Scott Conklin

Maddy summaryHB 164 requires health care facilities in Pennsylvania to handle fetal remains (from a fetal death) through cremation or burial per existing vital records rules, without needing a name on permits. Parents must cover costs if they choose a disposal location outside the facility’s usual practice, but facilities must provide disposition services if parents don’t claim remains. The bill ensures parent information remains confidential and clarifies that facilities aren’t required to issue stillbirth certificates. It does not change the definition of fetal death or mandate cremation/burial unless requested by the parent.

Maddy summaryHB 199 creates the State Emergency Supplemental Grant Program to provide additional financial assistance to Pennsylvania residents and businesses after they receive the maximum federal disaster aid. The program, administered by the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, offers grants covering the gap between federal assistance and actual disaster damage (up to $10,000 for federally declared disasters) or a state-determined amount for state-declared disasters. It establishes a dedicated fund financed by an annual $5 million transfer from the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, with funds limited to essential items like housing, medical care, and temporary rental - excluding home improvements, luxury goods, or pre-existing damage.

Maddy summaryHB 168 amends Pennsylvania's Taxpayer Relief Act to update the definition of "income" for senior citizens' property tax and rent rebate eligibility. It adds a provision allowing seniors who were eligible for these rebates as of December 31, 2018, to retain benefits if household income temporarily exceeds limits solely due to Social Security cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs). This replaces a previous temporary rule that expired in 2016 for seniors eligible as of December 31, 2012. The bill directly affects Pennsylvania seniors receiving property tax or rent rebates who experience automatic income increases from Social Security COLAs.

Maddy summaryHB 74 requires Pennsylvania's Department of Human Services to develop and provide a standardized autism screening tool for use by licensed child care providers with children aged 18, 24, and 36 months. The tool must be distributed annually to providers, accompanied by clear disclaimers that screening is not a medical diagnosis and a list of local diagnosis and service resources. Licensed child care providers are not required to administer the screening but may assist families who request help using it. The bill directly affects licensed child care facilities operating under Pennsylvania's child care regulations. It takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 49 amends Pennsylvania's 1993 Plain Language Consumer Contract Act to strengthen protections for consumers in standard form contracts (like those for services or products sold without negotiation). It makes standardized contract terms unenforceable if they materially alter a consumer's legal rights or obligations, requiring courts to evaluate factors like whether the term caused surprise or hardship, whether the consumer was aware of it, and the business context. The bill specifically creates a rebuttable presumption that certain terms - such as those restricting intellectual property rights, limiting liability, or mandating exclusive use of a merchant's products - are materially altering. This directly affects consumers signing standard contracts with businesses and merchants using such agreements across Pennsylvania. The law applies to all form contracts executed after its effective date, regardless of paper or electronic format.

Maddy summaryHB 45 requires businesses (vendors) selling services through contracts with automatic renewal clauses to clearly disclose renewal terms to consumers. Specifically, vendors must display renewal details in bold, 10-point font or larger, and provide written/electronic notice 30-60 days before renewal - detailing cancellation deadlines and how to opt out. If a business changes ownership, the new owner must notify consumers within 60 days and offer cancellation options. The law applies to contracts where renewal extends beyond six months, mandating vendors to retain proof of notification for six years. This affects consumers who sign service contracts and vendors operating in Pennsylvania.

Maddy summaryHB 43 amends Pennsylvania's oil and gas law to change how well permit applicants must notify property owners and the public. It requires applicants to submit proof that they notified surface owners (using tax notice mailing lists from county assessment books) and water purveyors (via specific forms explaining their rights under existing law). The bill also mandates public notice through weekly newspaper publications in the local area for four consecutive weeks. These changes directly affect oil and gas companies applying for new well permits and impact surface landowners, water purveyors, and local communities through the new notification process. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 34 creates a new "disaster lodging tax credit" program under Pennsylvania's tax code. It allows hotels and recreational campgrounds in Pennsylvania to claim a tax credit for providing discounted lodging (up to 100% off) to residents whose primary homes were damaged or made uninhabitable by qualifying disasters - such as hurricanes, earthquakes, or industrial accidents. The credit applies to the tax paid by the hotel or campground, directly benefiting businesses that offer discounted lodging to affected residents. This program targets Pennsylvania residents displaced by disasters, excluding those who received housing through federal or state relief programs. The bill amends tax code definitions to establish this credit and defines key terms like "disaster," "qualified hotel," and "beneficiary."

Maddy summaryHB 42, the Well Operation Response Team Act, requires oil and gas operators in Pennsylvania to establish certified response teams for wells during exploration, drilling, and production phases. These teams must include trained members familiar with well operations, available within one hour of an emergency, and undergo annual first aid/CPR training and site-specific drills. Operators must report team details annually to the Department of Labor and Industry, provide emergency communication technology, and train local first responders on well hazards. The bill directly affects operators of active onshore oil/gas wells (excluding plugged/abandoned wells) and mandates specific response protocols to enhance emergency preparedness.

Maddy summaryHR 6 is a non-binding House resolution urging the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) to create separate playoff systems for public schools versus private and charter schools. It addresses a competitive imbalance: private and charter schools (making up ~20% of PA schools) have won 28 of 36 basketball state titles in recent seasons, partly because they can recruit students statewide while public schools are limited to district boundaries. The resolution cites PIAA's own constitutional goals of promoting fairness and educational values in athletics. It does not change PIAA rules but formally requests they adopt separate playoffs to level the competitive field. This applies directly to all PA high schools participating in PIAA sports.