Rep. Mike Schlossberg

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House Resolution designates July 20, 2026, as Colombian Independence Day within the state. The measure honors Colombia's 1810 struggle for freedom from Spanish rule and highlights historical connections between Philadelphia and the Colombian independence movement, including the city's role in spreading revolutionary ideas and hosting diplomatic representatives. By officially recognizing the date, the resolution acknowledges the sacrifices made during the independence wars and celebrates the contributions of the Colombian community living in Pennsylvania today.

Maddy summaryThis resolution directs the Joint State Government Commission to study suicide prevention and data collection efforts in Pennsylvania and provide recommendations for improvement. The study will specifically examine how well the state has met eight existing suicide prevention goals and analyze the Pennsylvania Violent Death Reporting System to identify barriers like lack of mandatory reporting and insufficient funding. The commission is tasked with proposing legislative actions to ensure medical examiners, coroners, and law enforcement agencies consistently report violent death data to the Department of Health.

Maddy summaryHouse Resolution 208 directs Pennsylvania's Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to study wait times, service processes, and operational challenges at two state offices: the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation and the Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services within the Department of Labor and Industry. The committee must examine current wait times for services, assess how delays affect individuals seeking support, and explore solutions like contracting with nonprofit organizations to improve efficiency. The study requires a report to the General Assembly within 180 days, focusing on concrete findings about service delivery rather than mandating policy changes. This resolution does not alter existing services but aims to inform potential improvements for Pennsylvanians with vision impairments who rely on these programs.

Maddy summaryHB 1123 updates Pennsylvania's 1921 Insurance Company Law to require casualty insurance policies to cover colorectal cancer screening without cost-sharing. This affects insured residents in Pennsylvania who need preventive screenings, ensuring they face no copays or deductibles for this specific health service. The key provision mandates insurers to include coverage for colon cancer screenings as a standard benefit under casualty insurance policies. The bill passed final passage on October 29, 2025, and is now pending implementation under the Banking & Insurance committee. This change directly removes financial barriers for early detection of colorectal cancer through existing insurance coverage.

Maddy summaryHB 928 amends Pennsylvania law to expand access to epinephrine auto-injectors for severe allergic reactions. It adds schools, sports organizations, and other public venues to the list of "authorized entities" allowed to store these devices and train staff. The bill clarifies who can access the injectors during emergencies and specifies training requirements for personnel. This directly affects schools, youth programs, and public facilities serving individuals at risk of anaphylaxis.

Maddy summaryHB 426, the Native Habitats at Commonwealth Facilities Act, requires Pennsylvania state agencies to prioritize native plants (untreated with systemic insecticides) in landscape projects at state facilities. Agencies must consider environmental benefits like supporting pollinators, reducing soil erosion, and conserving water when planning such projects. The bill defines a "pollinator meadow" as an area with at least 50% native wildflowers, including milkweed seed, and protected from insecticides. This applies to Commonwealth agencies (e.g., state departments and offices) but excludes judicial and legislative bodies, and also sets duties for the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources regarding pollinator habitats.

Maddy summaryHB 1117 amends Pennsylvania's 1929 Administrative Code to redefine the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs' responsibilities for addressing substance use disorders. The department must now develop a comprehensive State plan coordinating prevention, treatment, research, and education across all state agencies and local communities - including health, law enforcement, education, and workforce sectors - to avoid duplication. The plan requires annual review and updates, and mandates the department to provide assistance to local governments while collaborating with medical professionals on drug use guidelines. This change formalizes existing coordination efforts under a unified framework, directly affecting state agencies and local entities managing substance use disorder services.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code to create a Small Business Opportunity Program within Neighborhood Improvement Zones. It directs that any excess funds remaining in these zones after required payments must be used to satisfy debts and obligations before 25% of the baseline tax revenue is transferred to a dedicated fund for small business grants. To qualify for these grants, a business must be classified as a small business, employ at least one full-time worker for 35 hours a week, and have filed all required state tax returns. The program aims to encourage entrepreneurship and job creation by providing financial support to eligible local businesses, while also requiring contracting authorities to submit annual reports on the number of participating businesses, total incentives awarded, and jobs created.

Maddy summaryHR 136 is a House resolution directing Pennsylvania's Joint State Government Commission to study the financial impact of State Police services on taxpayers. It specifically examines costs for municipalities that rely on Pennsylvania State Police for full or partial police coverage instead of maintaining their own departments - currently covering over 1,700 municipalities (428 part-time, 1,293 full-time as of 2021). The study will assess how these costs affect taxpayer burdens, compare millage rates between municipalities with local police versus those using State Police, and evaluate potential fee structures based on population. The Commission must report findings and recommendations to the legislature within one year. This resolution does not enact new law but requests a factual analysis to inform future policy decisions.

Maddy summaryHB 1460, the Health System Protection Act, requires health care entities (like hospitals and clinics) and certain investors (such as private equity firms) to obtain pre-approval from Pennsylvania's Department of Health and Attorney General before completing major transactions. This applies to sales of assets worth $10 million or more, ownership changes, or large financial distributions that could affect competition, costs, or access to care. The law prohibits transactions deemed "against the public interest," such as those reducing competition, raising prices, or limiting services in rural or low-income areas. Health care entities must either file a notification with a waiting period or get written approval before proceeding.