Rep. Amen Brown

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates March 2025 as "Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania. It formally recognizes the month to raise public awareness about colorectal cancer, emphasizing the importance of early screening and prevention based on current health data. The resolution does not create new laws, allocate funding, or directly affect specific groups - it serves as a symbolic gesture to encourage residents to prioritize screenings and adopt preventive health habits. It aligns with national awareness efforts and references recent medical recommendations for screenings starting at age 45.

Maddy summaryHB 777 requires Pennsylvania public school districts to pay education support professionals (like aides and clerical staff) a minimum hourly wage of $20 or a living wage based on cost-of-living adjustments, starting in the 2025-2026 school year. School districts must make supplemental payments to cover wage gaps for existing contracts below this rate through 2029-2030, with the Department of Labor setting and annually adjusting the living wage using the Consumer Price Index. The Department of Education will reimburse districts for these supplemental payments, adding the reconciled amount to their annual funding allocation. This applies directly to over 500 school districts and their education support staff, ensuring wage standards align with inflation.

Maddy summaryHB 899 requires Pennsylvania employers to provide workers with paid sick leave for their own health needs or to care for family members. Employees earn one hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours worked, with a minimum annual accrual of 40 hours. The law prohibits employers from retaliating against workers who use this leave and mandates clear posting of rights. It covers most private-sector employees (excluding federal workers) and applies to all employers with 15+ employees in Pennsylvania, effective upon enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 851 amends Pennsylvania's Game Code to allow temporary Sunday hunting and dog training for small game, repealing the previous ban on Sunday hunting. It creates new offenses for trespassing on private land while hunting or trapping without written permission and replaces prior rules about Sunday hunting without permission. The bill also requires the Pennsylvania Game Commission to include at least one member actively engaged in agriculture with wildlife management expertise, prohibits the commission from hiring lobbyists to influence state decisions, and mandates an ethics policy emphasizing respect for sportsmen. Additionally, it adds annual reporting requirements for the commission to legislative committees on budget and accountability measures.

Maddy summaryHB 177 creates "Keystone Opportunity Dairy Zones" in Pennsylvania to support the state's dairy industry. It provides tax benefits - including exemptions, deductions, and credits - for businesses processing at least 75% Pennsylvania milk into dairy products within designated zones. To qualify, businesses must be located in a zone, process Pennsylvania milk locally, and meet specific requirements under the act. The bill directly affects dairy farmers, processors, and local governments by offering financial incentives to boost economic development in the sector.

Maddy summaryHB 714 would allow siblings (including half-siblings and stepsiblings) to petition a court for visitation rights with a sibling child who is in a custody arrangement. Courts must consider factors like the child’s best interests, evidence that the custodial parent denied access in the 30 days before the petition, and whether the denial was unreasonable. The bill defines "visitation" as time spent together, not custody, and clarifies it does not affect existing custody laws or standing. This directly affects siblings who have been prevented from seeing their siblings by a parent with physical custody.

Maddy summaryHR 12 is a ceremonial resolution recognizing February 2025 as "Black History Month" in Pennsylvania. It does not create new laws or policies but formally acknowledges the month through the House of Representatives. The resolution highlights the historical origins of Black History Month, including Dr. Carter Godwin Woodson's founding of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, and notes the 2025 theme focused on African Americans and labor. This resolution directly affects Pennsylvania residents by designating the month for commemoration, without altering any legal rights or obligations.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a symbolic resolution (not a law) designating February 27, 2025, as "Dominican Republic Independence Day" within Pennsylvania. It directly affects Pennsylvania residents by formally recognizing this date to honor the Dominican Republic's independence from Haiti in 1844 and the cultural contributions of the state's Dominican-American community. The resolution includes historical context about the Dominican Republic's founding and highlights the community's economic and cultural ties to Pennsylvania. It has no financial, regulatory, or policy impact - it is purely commemorative.

Maddy summaryHB 443 modifies Pennsylvania's sentencing for second-degree murder convictions, including murder of an unborn child or a law enforcement officer. It reduces maximum sentences: for adults, from life imprisonment to 50 years; for offenders under 18, it sets a maximum of 40 years for those 15+ at the time of crime and 30 years for those under 15. The bill also establishes new parole timelines - 25 years for standard life sentences under this section, 20 years for those under 18 aged 15+, and 15 years for those under 15 - requiring the parole board to prioritize public safety, victim safety, and consider the offender's culpability before granting parole. Additionally, it mandates that victims be notified and given a chance to be heard before parole decisions for these cases.

Maddy summaryHB 387 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to require public schools to notify parents, guardians, or custodial parents about specific incidents involving students. It mandates timely notification for incidents that must be reported in school safety reports (Section 1319-B) or serious injuries occurring on school property, buses, or school activities. Schools must maintain updated contact information, use preferred notification methods (email, text, etc.), and train staff on these requirements. Non-compliant schools risk losing state funding, as specified in Section 1314-A(f). This directly affects all Pennsylvania public schools and their students' families.