Maddy summaryHB 684 requires Pennsylvania public schools to adopt evidence-based reading curricula and implement annual reading screenings for kindergarten through third-grade students starting in the 2026-2027 school year. Schools must identify reading deficiencies using approved screeners, notify parents in writing about deficiencies, and provide individualized reading intervention plans for affected students. The bill mandates that educators complete approved professional development training by the 2028-2029 school year to support these requirements. It directly affects K-3 students, their families, and school staff, with specific deadlines for curriculum adoption, screening, and educator training. The law also establishes reporting and accountability measures for school entities to ensure compliance.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis resolution designates May 2025 as "Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania. It formally recognizes ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) through a symbolic designation, highlighting the disease's impact - such as its fatal neurodegenerative nature, average 2-5 year survival after diagnosis, and lack of cure - without creating new laws or funding. The resolution aims to increase public awareness of ALS, acknowledge the challenges faced by patients and families, and honor ongoing research efforts. As a procedural resolution, it does not alter any existing policies or provide financial support.
Maddy summaryHB 1273 repeals Pennsylvania's requirement that taxpayers make payments of $15,000 or more electronically for personal income tax, along with related penalties for non-compliance. It replaces these rules by adding a new provision requiring the Department of Revenue to accept all payment methods without penalties for taxpayers. This bill directly affects individuals and businesses paying Pennsylvania personal income tax, removing a specific electronic payment mandate and associated fines. The changes take effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025, making all payment methods equally acceptable without penalty.
Maddy summaryHB 409 amends Pennsylvania's Patient Test Result Information Act to require healthcare providers to give patients written notice at the time of diagnostic imaging services (like X-rays, MRIs, and ultrasounds) about how to access their results, including online portals or mail (with a possible fee for mailing). It also mandates a follow-up notice within 20 days if a significant abnormality is found, including details like the test date and ordering doctor's name, unless exceptions apply. Exceptions include routine obstetrical ultrasounds, inpatient or emergency care, diagnostic radiographs (X-rays), and patients with chronic conditions who were previously notified. This bill directly affects patients receiving diagnostic imaging and the healthcare facilities performing these services.
Maddy summaryHB 1219 establishes a new Office of Information Technology and an Information Technology Fund to consolidate Pennsylvania state government IT operations. The bill requires all state agencies to follow new procurement rules, including business case reviews and five-year budget limits for significant IT projects, to reduce costs and improve efficiency. It also creates a Joint Cybersecurity Oversight Committee to strengthen data protection and mandates better cybersecurity practices for all state IT systems. The bill directly affects all Pennsylvania state agencies responsible for managing information technology and cybersecurity.
Maddy summaryHB 1218 amends Pennsylvania's Election Code to enhance election oversight. It creates an "independent prosecutor" appointed 90 days before primaries to review election complaints (Section 1778), requires the Secretary of the Commonwealth to maintain a fraud hotline and share reports with this prosecutor (Section 201(i)), and mandates county boards to cooperate with election integrity officers (Section 302(n.1)). The bill also requires counties to provide authorized representatives meaningful access to observe absentee ballot canvassing, record meetings with audio-visual recordings (available only after polls close), and investigate concerns (Section 1308(j)). These changes directly affect state election officials, county boards, and election integrity officers by adding new reporting duties, oversight mechanisms, and transparency requirements for election processes.
Maddy summaryHB 1156 amends Pennsylvania's Human Services Code to strengthen eligibility verification for medical assistance and food stamp programs. The bill requires the state department to regularly review data from other agencies, including monthly checks for gambling winnings over $3,000 (via the Gaming Control Board), death records (from the Department of Health), and residency changes (via out-of-state EBT), plus quarterly checks for employment and income changes (from Labor and Revenue). It also prohibits the department from accepting eligibility determinations from health insurance exchanges without verification and bans self-attestation for key factors like income, residency, or household composition without prior verification. These changes update the verification process to align with current data-sharing capabilities.
Maddy summaryHB 1005 would repeal Pennsylvania's Use and Storage Tax Act of 1953, which imposed a tax on the use and storage of physical goods (like furniture, electronics, or vehicles) within the state. This law required businesses selling such goods to register, collect the tax from customers, and remit it to the state, with the revenue funding public schools. The bill would eliminate this tax obligation for businesses and remove the administrative requirements for collecting and reporting the tax. The repeal directly affects businesses that previously collected this tax and the public school funding mechanism tied to it.
Maddy summaryHB 1033 prohibits healthcare providers from performing gender transition procedures on minors under 18, including surgeries, cross-sex hormones, and puberty blockers. It also requires government health programs (like Medicaid) and health insurance policies to stop covering these procedures for minors. The bill defines "gender transition procedures" to include genital/nongenital surgeries, cross-sex hormones, and puberty blockers. Individuals aged 18 or older are not affected by the ban and may continue receiving such care.