Rep. Aerion Abney

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the annual funding cap for Pennsylvania's Entertainment Economic Enhancement Program from $24 million to $26 million. The change directly affects the state's entertainment industry by allowing a larger pool of tax credits to be distributed each fiscal year. These credits are designed to help businesses in the entertainment sector by reducing their tax liability. The new limit will apply to fiscal years starting on or after July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Pennsylvania's Public School Code to clarify who must prove their case during special education disputes. Specifically, it states that school districts generally bear the burden of proof in due process hearings involving exceptional children, unless the parents unilaterally chose a private school placement, in which case the parents must provide the proof. The law applies to situations concerning a child's identification, evaluation, classification, placement, or disciplinary actions. The changes are designed to streamline legal procedures by explicitly defining these responsibilities rather than leaving them open to interpretation.

Maddy summaryThis bill grants school administrators in Pennsylvania's first-class cities and school districts the right to engage in collective bargaining with their employers. It allows these administrators to negotiate terms regarding pay, working hours, benefits, and dispute resolution through designated representatives. The Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board will handle any disagreements about these bargaining items using the same process applied to other public employees. The changes apply immediately upon the bill's enactment.

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 bill requires health insurance companies to cover fertility preservation services for individuals facing medically necessary cancer treatments that could cause infertility. The law mandates that insurers include at least three years of egg, sperm, or ovarian tissue storage at an in-network facility, with a minimum lifetime benefit of $100,000 per person. While the coverage must follow standard policy rules like deductibles and copayments, religious employers are allowed to request exemptions if the services conflict with their beliefs, provided they notify patients and allow them to buy separate supplemental insurance.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits Pennsylvania county agencies and municipal governments from including clauses in service contracts that waive their right to seek reimbursement from insurance companies for liability claims. It directly affects government entities that hire external service providers regulated under state child and family services rules. By declaring such waiver clauses unenforceable, the legislation ensures that insurance carriers retain the ability to recover costs from the government if a service provider causes a liability issue. The changes apply to any service contracts entered into or renewed after the law takes effect 60 days from its passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance plans in Pennsylvania to cover specific preventive services without charging patients any deductibles, copayments, or coinsurance. The list of covered services is primarily based on recommendations from federal health organizations, such as the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, and is managed by the state Department of Health. While most standard health plans must comply with these requirements, the law explicitly excludes "grandfathered" plans that existed before the bill takes effect. The legislation also establishes a process for the state to add new preventive services or remove existing ones based on current medical evidence and expert recommendations.

Maddy summaryHB 2544 updates Pennsylvania's Public School Code to establish a formal framework for negotiating compensation and benefits plans for school administrators, including principals and assistant principals. The bill requires school boards to meet with administrators in good faith to create written agreements covering salary schedules, fringe benefits, and performance evaluation processes. These agreements must remain in effect for at least one school year but no longer than five, and they include a nonbinding mediation step for resolving disputes before potential legal appeals. The legislation applies to all public school entities in the state and maintains existing restrictions on strikes while clarifying the definitions of administrative roles and employer responsibilities.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House Resolution designates the week of September 14 through 20, 2026, as "Birth Center Week" to highlight the role of birth centers in maternal healthcare. The measure aims to raise public awareness about these facilities, which offer low-risk, culturally competent care in a home-like setting and are noted for potentially lower costs and reduced cesarean section rates. While the resolution does not alter laws or funding, it formally acknowledges the value of birth centers in addressing maternal health disparities and improving access to care for mothers and newborns.

Maddy summaryHB 2028 amends Pennsylvania law to establish permitted uses for public spaces (like parks or sidewalks) and clarifies when local governments can be sued for actions affecting the public. It directly affects local governments (cities, counties) and individuals or groups seeking to use public areas for events or activities. The key provision creates specific exceptions to government "sovereign immunity," meaning governments can be held liable in court for certain actions under defined circumstances. This changes how public space access is regulated and sets clearer rules for when government entities face legal accountability.