Maddy summaryThis bill requires hospitals to publicly display their prices for medical items and services on their websites to help patients understand costs before receiving care. It mandates that hospitals publish detailed lists of charges, including standard rates, negotiated prices with insurance plans, and discounted cash prices, in both digital and printable formats. Additionally, the legislation prohibits hospitals from taking collection actions, such as sending debt to collectors, against patients if the hospital fails to comply with these price transparency rules. These measures directly affect hospitals and their patients by increasing financial clarity and holding facilities accountable for maintaining accessible pricing information.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill is a Senate resolution that formally recognizes October 12, 2024, as "Period Action Day" in Pennsylvania. It aims to raise awareness about period poverty and the challenges faced by menstruating individuals who cannot afford hygiene products. The resolution highlights the need to destigmatize menstruation and acknowledges the work of activists addressing access issues in schools and public facilities. While it does not change laws or allocate funds, it urges the state to pass legislation ensuring free access to period products for those in need.
Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution designates October 9, 2024, as "PA Libraries: Powering the Commonwealth Day" to honor the role of libraries in Pennsylvania. The bill acknowledges libraries as essential community resources that provide access to information, support literacy, and offer services to people of all backgrounds. By officially recognizing this date, the Senate aims to highlight the contributions of librarians and library workers to the state. This action is symbolic and does not create new laws or change existing regulations.
Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Pennsylvania's funding rules for sustainable transportation projects, specifically affecting local organizations that receive state financial assistance. It establishes a new deposit requirement into the fund, mandating that 6.15% of certain tax revenues be contributed monthly to support these programs. The legislation also adjusts how funding increases are calculated over time, capping annual growth at 20% for most years while allowing for higher increases starting in the 2024-2025 fiscal year. Additionally, it sets a minimum requirement for local matching funds, ensuring that communities contribute at least 15% of project costs, with a provision to pause these increases between 2024 and 2029.
Maddy summaryThis resolution officially designates September 22, 2024, as "World Rhino Day" within the state of Pennsylvania. The measure aims to raise public awareness about the global efforts to protect all five species of rhinos from extinction, which is primarily threatened by poaching for their horns. By recognizing this date, the Senate intends to highlight the dangers of the illegal wildlife trade and the importance of conservation work, without changing any laws or government operations.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to establish a funding mechanism for students enrolled in career and technical education programs. It directs the state to provide additional payments to school districts, area career and technical schools, and charter schools based on the number of eligible students they serve. The law specifies how these payments are calculated using enrollment data fixed as of June before each school year begins. Although the text references historical school years, the bill was recently reintroduced to update this funding provision for current and future education budgets.
Maddy summarySB 1324 updates the definition of "income" used to determine eligibility for Pennsylvania's senior citizens property tax and rent rebate assistance programs. The bill clarifies that Social Security benefits received before 1999 are fully counted as income, while benefits received in 1999 and later count only half toward the income limit. It also includes a temporary provision ensuring that seniors who qualified for these rebates by December 31, 2012, will remain eligible even if their income exceeds the limit due to a Social Security cost-of-living adjustment, though this protection expires on December 31, 2016. The legislation also explicitly lists several types of payments, such as surplus food, veterans' disability payments, and inflation dividends, that are excluded from the income calculation.
Maddy summaryThis resolution directs the Joint State Government Commission to study how racial harassment and discrimination affect students at Pennsylvania's colleges and universities. The study will involve consulting with students, staff, and administrators, reviewing current prevention policies, and examining strategies used by other states to combat such issues. Based on its findings, the commission must submit a report with specific recommendations for new laws to the General Assembly within 18 months. The bill focuses on gathering data and proposing policy changes rather than implementing immediate rules.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a pilot program to establish youth courts within Pennsylvania schools as an alternative to traditional disciplinary measures like suspensions. The program will provide grants of up to $250,000 to eligible school districts, with priority given to those facing high suspension rates or limited resources, to help them set up these student-run tribunals. A new resource center will be formed to offer training and technical assistance, ensuring that all participants follow trauma-informed practices and restorative justice principles. The youth courts will be staffed by students under 21 who have undergone specific training to hear cases and impose restorative sanctions such as community service, mediation, or apologies rather than arrests. The initiative is designed to run for three school years while collecting data on how the program affects student behavior and civic engagement.
Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution officially designates September 2024 as "Mushroom Month" to honor Pennsylvania's status as the nation's leading mushroom producer. The bill highlights the state's significant economic contribution from family-owned farms and recognizes the technical expertise required for mushroom cultivation. By celebrating this industry, the measure aims to raise awareness of the agricultural traditions and economic value provided by Pennsylvania's mushroom growers.