Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new grant program within the Pennsylvania Department of Education to help public school districts provide annual mental health screenings for students in grades six through twelve. To receive funding, schools must apply by proposing specific evidence-based screening tools, outlining how they will use the money to hire staff or expand counseling services, and detailing an emergency plan for students who need immediate help. The program will begin in the 2025-2026 school year, and the department will assess each school district's readiness before selecting participants. Additionally, the bill requires the department to consult with national mental health organizations and establish a list of qualified vendors to support the screening process.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's voter registration rules and expands access to absentee ballots for incarcerated individuals. It clarifies that people must be at least 18 years old, have been U.S. citizens for at least one month, and have lived in their specific district for 30 days before registering, while also removing a previous restriction that barred those with felony convictions from voting if they are currently in prison. The legislation requires government agencies to include these eligibility requirements on their voter registration forms and allows inmates in correctional facilities to request absentee ballots by sending a signed letter to their local election board. Additionally, the bill permits the use of electronic signatures and digital formats for voter registration applications.
Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania election laws to allow specific groups of people to vote by absentee ballot and to register without a traditional street address. It grants absentee voting rights to individuals confined in correctional institutions for misdemeanors, pretrial confinement, or non-conviction custody, while explicitly excluding those in mental health facilities or convicted of felonies. The legislation also permits homeless voters to register using geographic descriptions like maps or coordinates instead of a physical address. Additionally, it requires the Department of State to work with correctional facilities to provide election information, designate staff to assist inmates with voting, and report on voter participation data within prisons.
Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution officially designates June 2024 as "LGBTQ+ Pride Month" in Pennsylvania to honor the state's LGBTQ+ community and mark the 55th anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall Inn demonstrations. The document highlights historical events within the state, such as early civil rights protests in Philadelphia and past executive orders recognizing LGBTQ+ equality, as reasons for this recognition. As a commemorative measure, the bill does not alter laws or create new programs but serves to publicly acknowledge the contributions and struggles of LGBTQ+ Pennsylvanians.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends the existing Pharmacy Audit Integrity and Transparency Act to impose stricter rules on pharmacy benefit managers and the pharmacies that work with them. The legislation prohibits PBMs from forcing pharmacies to accept lower reimbursement rates to join their networks, banning retroactive money take-backs, and outlawing hidden fees or practices that steer patients toward specific pharmacies solely for cost savings. Additionally, it requires PBMs to respond to pharmacy network requests within 30 days, mandates quarterly reporting on drug rebates, and tasks a state department with regulating PBMs and ensuring pharmacies are reimbursed at least the cost of the drugs they dispense.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to establish a legal framework for comprehensive school counseling services across all public, private, parochial, and charter schools. It requires each school district and charter school to create a written plan that coordinates counseling activities to support students' academic, career, and social-emotional development from kindergarten through grade 12. The legislation mandates that school counselors spend at least 80% of their working time providing direct services, such as individual counseling and classroom instruction, as well as indirect services like consulting with parents and community agencies. Additionally, the plan must include specific strategies for guiding students through course selection, career planning, and social-emotional learning while ensuring equitable access to opportunities for all students.
Maddy summaryThis bill allows insurance companies in Pennsylvania to send certain notices and documents to customers via email or other electronic methods instead of traditional mail. To use this option, insurers must first get clear permission from individuals or their plan sponsors and must inform them of their right to receive paper copies or withdraw consent at any time. The law ensures that electronic delivery is treated as legally equivalent to sending mail and includes protections for personal health information. It also clarifies that these rules do not apply to health plans governed by federal employee retirement laws.
Maddy summaryThis resolution officially designates June 2024 as "Dairy Month" to honor Pennsylvania's dairy industry, which supports over 47,000 jobs and generates billions in economic activity. The measure aims to raise awareness about the state's dairy farmers and their families, who operate more than 468,000 cows and produce roughly 10 billion pounds of milk annually. It encourages the public to recognize the value of local dairy products and promotes the purchase of dairy goods produced within Pennsylvania.
Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution designates the week of July 22 through 26, 2024, as "Construction Opioid Awareness Week" in Pennsylvania to highlight the high rate of opioid-related deaths in the construction industry. The bill formally recognizes the vulnerability of construction workers to opioid abuse and encourages industry groups to promote awareness of the dangers associated with prescription drug misuse. During this designated week, various construction organizations are expected to facilitate discussions and events, such as drug take-back initiatives, to educate workers and address the epidemic. The measure serves as a commemorative designation rather than a law that imposes new regulations or mandates on businesses.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Construction Workplace Misclassification Act to strengthen protections for workers on public work projects by clarifying definitions and increasing penalties for employers who incorrectly classify employees. It raises the maximum prison sentence for first-time violations to three years and second offenses to five years, while also escalating repeat offenses from misdemeanors to felonies. Additionally, the legislation mandates that administrative penalties be assessed rather than optional, and it expands the scope of prohibited retaliation to cover actions taken under the new provisions.