Maddy summaryHB 2146 modifies Pennsylvania's open meetings law to clarify when government agencies can take action on unlisted agenda items. It creates specific exceptions for minor administrative approvals that arise unexpectedly, such as urgent legal filings, small purchases under $10,000 (based on current thresholds), grant applications with deadlines, or minor permit approvals. Agencies must obtain and publicly disclose a legal opinion confirming an item qualifies under these exceptions before acting. This directly affects state and local agencies holding public meetings, ensuring transparency while allowing limited flexibility for time-sensitive matters. The bill does not change core meeting notice requirements but adds defined exceptions for minor, non-financial actions.
Rep. Bob Freeman
Sponsored bills
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 summaryThis Pennsylvania House Resolution designates the week of October 11 through 17, 2026, as "Credit Union Week" in the state. The measure aims to recognize credit unions, which are member-owned financial cooperatives serving approximately 5.5 million people across Pennsylvania and New Jersey. By officially naming this week, the resolution highlights the role these institutions play in providing low-cost financial services and encouraging community involvement. The resolution is symbolic and does not create new laws or change any regulations.
Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's Elderly Immunization Act to include individuals at higher risk of severe illness from flu and pneumonia. It expands eligibility by lowering the age requirement for influenza vaccines to 50 and clarifies that people aged 65 and older qualify for pneumococcal vaccines. The legislation also changes the official name of the law to the "Elderly and High Risk Immunization Act" to reflect these broader protections. These adjustments aim to ensure more older adults and vulnerable populations receive necessary preventative care.
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 summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Municipalities Planning Code to allow local governments to temporarily halt the submission of new data center development applications. Under the new provision, a municipality can adopt a resolution at a public meeting to pause these submissions for up to 180 days, a period that begins retroactively from the date of public notice. During this pause, local authorities may update their zoning laws regarding data centers, and any applications received while the pause is in effect will be evaluated under the new rules. The legislation defines a data center as a facility primarily used for housing servers or data storage systems with specific backup power and cooling infrastructure.
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 summaryThis bill designates November 2026 as Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month within the state of Pennsylvania. It aims to increase public understanding of the disease by encouraging educational programs and support initiatives for those affected. The resolution does not change laws or allocate funding but serves as a formal statement to highlight the importance of early detection and research.
Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House Resolution designates September 2026 as "ITP Awareness Month" to highlight Immune thrombocytopenia, a rare autoimmune condition that lowers platelet counts and increases bleeding risks. The bill aims to encourage research and support for the more than 50,000 people in the United States living with the disease, which affects women aged 30 to 60 more frequently than others. By officially recognizing the month, the resolution seeks to educate the public about the challenges of diagnosing and managing ITP, which often requires specialized medical treatments like blood transfusions or spleen removal. This measure does not change laws or allocate funding but serves as a symbolic gesture to raise visibility for patients and their families.