Rep. Pat Harkins

Maddy summaryThis resolution symbolically recognizes April 11-17, 2026, as "Week of the Young Child" in Pennsylvania, aligning with a national observance organized by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). It has no legal effect or funding provisions - it is a formal acknowledgment to support awareness of early childhood education. The resolution encourages Pennsylvanians to recognize the importance of early learning opportunities for children birth through age eight. It does not create new policies or directly affect any individuals or programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates September 2025 as "Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Month" in Pennsylvania through a symbolic resolution. It does not create new laws or alter existing programs but formally recognizes efforts to support child nutrition. The designation directly affects Pennsylvania residents and organizations focused on child hunger initiatives. As a ceremonial resolution, it has no binding policy changes or funding mechanisms.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House resolution urges the creation of an interstate agreement to foster a competitive market for electric transmission across state lines. The bill aims to address concerns that certain state policies hinder infrastructure growth and increase costs for electricity customers. It calls for a collaborative framework that ensures uniform rules, streamlined permitting, and equal treatment for all states and energy generation methods involved. By advocating for these principles, the resolution seeks to modernize the power grid and support economic growth without mandating specific actions or outcomes.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House Resolution designates May 2, 2026, as Negro Leagues Day to honor African-American baseball players who contributed to the sport. The bill recognizes the historical significance of Negro League teams in Pennsylvania, such as the Philadelphia Giants and Homestead Grays, and highlights the achievements of players like Josh Gibson and Roy Campanella. By officially naming this date, the resolution aims to preserve the legacy of these athletes and acknowledge their impact on the civil rights movement in sports.

Maddy summaryHB 41 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to establish a process for determining whether interscholastic athletic playoffs and championships should be separated for public schools (boundary schools) versus charter, parochial, or private schools (nonboundary schools). It requires the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) to hold public meetings in each district, accept written testimony and public comments, and document all proceedings before making a decision. The bill mandates that the PIAA board must publicly discuss all relevant testimony, fiscal impacts, and sport-specific considerations before voting on the change or deciding no change is needed. The association must then provide a written decision with justification to the oversight committee within five days of the meeting. This bill affects all Pennsylvania schools participating in PIAA athletics by defining how decisions about playoff structures will be made.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House Resolution officially designates the week of May 10 through 16, 2026, as "National Police Week" and May 15, 2026, as "Peace Officers Memorial Day" within the state. The measure serves to honor law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty and aligns with the federal observances established by the U.S. Congress. It does not create new laws or funding but rather establishes a symbolic recognition to acknowledge the service and sacrifices of police officers in Pennsylvania.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania laws to allow condominium owners, cooperative members, and planned community residents to install personal electric vehicle charging stations in their parking spaces or approved common areas. It mandates that property management associations cannot ban these installations and must review applications within 60 days, while still permitting reasonable rules regarding architectural standards and safety. The legislation clarifies that the unit owner bears all costs for installation, electricity, and potential damage, and requires the station to be installed by a certified electrician with specific training. Additionally, the bill establishes that the charging station remains the owner's personal property, which they must remove or transfer to a buyer when selling their unit, and requires liability insurance coverage of at least $1,000,000.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution honors the memory of five law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty in 2025. It specifically names Patrolman Andrew Duarte and Police Officers Mark Baker, Cody Becker, Isaiah Emenheiser, and Andy Chan, listing their departments and dates of death. The measure directs the Pennsylvania House of Representatives to express sympathy to the families and friends of these fallen officers. As a commemorative resolution, it does not create new laws or change existing policies.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution officially recognizes the week of April 20 through 24, 2026, as "National Work Zone Awareness Week" in Pennsylvania. The resolution encourages drivers to exercise extra caution, slow down, and pay attention when traveling through roadway construction zones to improve safety for motorists, passengers, and construction workers. It does not create new laws or funding but serves as a formal acknowledgment of an existing national safety campaign aimed at reducing work zone accidents and fatalities. The resolution highlights statistics on work zone crashes and injuries to underscore the importance of the awareness initiative.

Maddy summaryHB 1970 amends Pennsylvania's vehicle laws to update definitions and clarify requirements for driver's licenses. The bill specifies what information must appear on licenses (such as photo and personal details) and mandates that drivers carry their license at all times, presenting it to law enforcement upon request. It directly affects all licensed drivers in Pennsylvania by standardizing license content and enforcement procedures. The changes aim to improve clarity for both drivers and law enforcement regarding license presentation.