Rep. Marla Brown

Maddy summaryHB 652 requires social media platforms and websites with public user profiles (like Facebook or Instagram) to report specific drug-related activity to Pennsylvania State Police. If a platform learns someone is unlawfully manufacturing, delivering, or possessing drugs in Pennsylvania, it must provide contact details, digital evidence (like IP addresses or timestamps), and related messages within 24 hours. Platforms face fines up to $300,000 for failing to report, but the law explicitly prohibits them from monitoring users or proactively searching for drug activity. This bill directly affects major online platforms that facilitate user interaction and public content sharing.

Maddy summaryHB 165 amends Pennsylvania's abortion law to require pain relief medication for fetuses over 15 weeks' gestation during abortion procedures, directly affecting abortion providers performing such procedures. The bill adds a new provision (Section 3204(b.1)) stating that pain relief medication must be administered prior to the procedure unless the physician knows the pregnant person has an adverse reaction to it or a medical emergency prevents timely administration. This change applies specifically to abortions at or beyond 15 weeks' gestation. The law would take effect 60 days after enactment. It focuses on procedural requirements for medical care during abortion, not on restricting access.

Maddy summaryHB 606 requires Pennsylvania public and private schools to integrate "early human life development education" into biology courses starting in the 2025-2026 school year. This mandates including specific ultrasound videos showing fetal development at 8, 12, 17, 22, 27, 32, and 37 weeks' gestation, plus a computer-generated animation of fertilization and prenatal development stages. The bill applies to all school entities (districts, charters, cyber charters) and directly affects all K-12 students in Pennsylvania. It amends the 1949 Public School Code to standardize this curriculum component within existing biology requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 530 modifies Pennsylvania's criminal codes to adjust penalties for property damage crimes and create a new process for removing trespassers. It reclassifies criminal mischief as a felony if financial damage exceeds $1,000 (for building entry) or $5,000 (for public services), and as a misdemeanor for smaller losses. The bill also establishes a formal procedure allowing property owners to request law enforcement to remove trespassers by submitting a signed affidavit proving the person isn't a tenant, has been asked to leave, and lawful eviction occurred if applicable. This directly affects property owners seeking to remove unauthorized occupants, tenants facing potential unlawful removal, and law enforcement officers handling such requests. The law requires officers to provide individuals removed a chance to prove lawful occupancy and prohibits violations of Pennsylvania's Landlord and Tenant Act.

Maddy summaryHB 515, the Household Appliance Freedom Act, prohibits Pennsylvania state agencies and local municipalities from banning or restricting the sale, installation, or use of natural gas-powered home heating equipment, appliances, outdoor grills and stoves, and outdoor natural gas torches or lamps. The law allows individuals affected by such restrictions to file a civil lawsuit within 180 days seeking an injunction or damages. It becomes effective 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 488 lowers the value threshold for direct payment of unclaimed property in Pennsylvania from $500 to $5,000. It allows the State Treasurer to pay or deliver property valued under $5,000 directly to owners identified as sole owners in the state's property reports, without requiring formal claims. This affects individuals who may have forgotten about small unclaimed assets like old checks or bank balances under $5,000. The change simplifies the process for these smaller claims, reducing administrative steps for both residents and the state.

Maddy summaryHB 437 proposes a constitutional amendment to Pennsylvania's voting rules, requiring voters to present valid identification at all elections. It mandates that voters show a government-issued ID when voting in person (Section 12) and include proof of ID with mail-in ballots (Section 16). Voters without ID can request a free government-issued ID at the polling place (Section 19). This amendment would directly affect all Pennsylvania voters participating in elections, adding ID verification to existing residency and citizenship requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 452 removes disciplinary actions and refunds penalties for retail food facilities that were penalized for not following specific COVID-19 health protocols during Pennsylvania's state of emergency (March 6, 2020, to when the emergency ended). It covers violations related to the Disease Prevention and Control Law, Governor's orders, and health department guidance about the novel coronavirus. The bill requires health authorities to erase these records from official files and refund any penalties paid during the emergency period. This applies only to violations tied to the pandemic response, not general health code compliance.

Maddy summaryHB 394 modifies Pennsylvania's existing tax credit program for municipal fire and emergency medical services volunteers. It allows the tax credit to offset current and future state tax liabilities, and requires municipalities to establish an alternative benefit (like a cash payment) for volunteers who owe no state tax. The credit remains in effect until the local government repeals it. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 395 allows Pennsylvania to grant provisional certification to emergency medical responders (EMRs) who already hold valid national certification from the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT). This applies to individuals certified as EMRs, first responders, EMTs, AEMTs, or paramedics. The provisional certification is valid for three years and automatically converts to standard Pennsylvania certification after completing the regular triennial registration process. This change eliminates redundant certification requirements for nationally certified EMTs working in Pennsylvania.