Rep. Jim Haddock

Maddy summaryHB 1289 establishes a 2026 adjustment for retired municipal police officers and firefighters who retired before January 1, 2016, and have been retired for at least 10, 15, or 20 years as of January 1, 2026. Eligible retirees will receive monthly payments of $250, $375, or $500 based on their retirement duration, with reductions for prior benefits received and caps if multiple retirement systems apply. Municipalities must certify these payments and will receive full reimbursement from the Commonwealth for the 2026 costs. This extends a similar state reimbursement program previously used for 2002 adjustments.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution designates March 2025 as "Music in Our Schools Month" in Pennsylvania. It recognizes the value of music education in developing students' creativity, problem-solving skills, and cultural understanding, while commending music educators across the state. The resolution does not create new laws, allocate funding, or impose requirements - its sole purpose is to formally acknowledge and support existing music education efforts in Pennsylvania schools during March 2025. It directly affects Pennsylvania public schools and music educators by highlighting their work through a symbolic designation.

Maddy summaryThis resolution recognizes the week of May 9-15, 2025, as "National Stuttering Awareness Week" in Pennsylvania. It symbolically raises awareness about stuttering - a speech disorder affecting approximately 130,000 Pennsylvanians - without creating new laws, funding, or obligations. The resolution aims to highlight misconceptions about stuttering and support efforts to reduce stigma, particularly for children and adults who stutter.

Maddy summaryHouse Resolution 40 designates October 2025 as "Dyslexia Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania to promote public understanding of dyslexia, a neurological learning disability affecting word recognition and spelling that impacts approximately one in five people. The resolution emphasizes the need for early diagnosis, support resources, and advocacy for individuals with dyslexia, educators, and families. As a non-binding symbolic resolution, it does not create new laws but serves to raise awareness and encourage community efforts around dyslexia support.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 37) designates March 13, 2025, as "K9 Veterans Awareness and Services Day" in Pennsylvania. It symbolically recognizes working dogs and their handlers, trainers, and helpers serving in military, law enforcement, search and rescue, and service roles (including support for people with disabilities). The resolution urges government agencies to acknowledge these animals' contributions on that date but does not create new laws or funding. As a procedural resolution, it focuses solely on raising awareness and expressing gratitude for K9 units' service.

Maddy summaryThis resolution directs Pennsylvania's Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to study the financial and workforce impacts of allowing early retirement for state and public school employees (specifically those aged 55+ or with 30+ years of service) under the State Employees' Retirement System (SERS) and Public School Employees' Retirement System (PSERS). The study must analyze potential cost savings over 1-10 years, effects on workforce composition, and historical data from past early retirement programs (like the 1992-93 initiative). The committee must submit a report to the legislature within one year, detailing findings on budget impacts and staffing alternatives. This is a procedural study resolution - not a policy change - and will inform future decisions about retirement options.

Maddy summaryHB 1374 changes Pennsylvania's fee structure for birth records issued by the Department of Health. It requires the Department to provide one free certified copy of a birth record to anyone born in Pennsylvania upon request, and allows a second copy within the same four-year period at no cost. For any additional certified copies requested during that four-year window, the Department must charge a $20 fee. This policy directly affects Pennsylvania residents seeking birth records for personal, medical, or legal purposes. The bill amends the 1929 Administrative Code to implement this fee structure.

Maddy summaryHB 1372 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to update rules for charter and cyber charter schools. It prohibits public school entities from paying for or accepting sponsorship for public events (Section 134(a.1)), and adds definitions for terms like "family member," "school district of residence," and "emergency" to clarify enrollment and operational requirements. The bill revises charter school accountability standards, requiring them to participate in state assessments, maintain nonsectarian operations, and follow specific enrollment rules (Section 1715-A). These changes directly affect charter school operators, school districts, and students by setting clearer financial limits, enrollment criteria, and operational expectations.

Maddy summaryHB 1341 changes how Pennsylvania distributes revenue from vehicle fines. It requires municipalities to provide at least 40 hours per week of police services (via their own department, regional department, or contracted services) to receive a share of these fines. Municipalities that don’t meet this service requirement will no longer qualify for the funds, which will instead be transferred to the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. This commission will then distribute the funds to programs supporting regional police department accreditation and collaboration across the state. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 1357 amends Pennsylvania's tax code to allow employees to deduct overtime pay from their taxable income when filing personal income tax returns. The bill defines "overtime pay" as compensation earned for hours worked beyond 40 per week (per federal standards) and requires employers to withhold tax on this amount. Employees who received overtime in 2026 or later can subtract the full overtime amount from their taxable income, potentially resulting in a tax refund if the deduction lowers their liability below zero. This directly affects Pennsylvania employees who earn overtime and employers who withhold taxes on such earnings. The changes apply to tax years beginning January 1, 2026.