Rep. Mark Gillen

Maddy summaryHB 1861 allows Pennsylvania public school districts to offer firefighter and emergency medical services (EMS) training as credit-bearing courses for students aged 16 or older who are active members of a fire company or EMS agency. The bill specifies that courses must cover nationally recognized Firefighter I training or Pennsylvania-approved EMT training, as defined by existing state law. School districts may provide transportation and supervision for off-campus training but are not required to cover course fees or materials. This policy change directly affects high school students in emergency services groups and gives school districts the option to integrate these career-focused courses into their curriculum.

Maddy summaryHR 315 is a non-binding resolution urging Congress and the Department of Veterans Affairs to allow veterans with traumatic brain injury (TBI) or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to access hyperbaric oxygen therapy. It does not create new law but calls on federal agencies to facilitate this treatment option for veterans. The resolution directly affects veterans diagnosed with TBI or PTSD who may seek this specific therapy. It has been referred to the House Health Committee for further review.

Maddy summaryHR 311 is a commemorative resolution designating January 2026 as "Law Enforcement Professionals Appreciation Month" in Pennsylvania. It symbolically honors law enforcement officers at all government levels serving and protecting the Commonwealth. The resolution does not create new programs, funding, or legal obligations - it is a formal statement of recognition by the Pennsylvania legislature. This procedural bill, referred to the Judiciary committee, directly affects all law enforcement professionals within Pennsylvania.

Maddy summaryHB 415 claims to amend Pennsylvania's 1929 Administrative Code to add suicide prevention duties to the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). However, the DCNR manages state parks and natural resources, not public health or suicide prevention services - this appears to be a misclassification in the bill's title. No specific suicide prevention mechanisms, funding, or affected groups are described in the provided context. The bill was recently laid on the table without further action, indicating it did not advance. The title's reference to "suicide prevention" likely reflects an error, as DCNR lacks statutory authority for such programs.

Maddy summaryHB 1416 would create a new criminal offense for interfering with the operation or movement of public transit vehicles, such as buses or trains. It directly affects individuals who physically block doors, assault drivers or passengers, or otherwise disrupt transit service. The bill establishes specific penalties for these actions under Pennsylvania's vehicle laws, treating interference as a criminal violation. This change aims to clarify legal consequences for behaviors that endanger transit operations and passenger safety. The bill is currently stalled, having been "laid on the table" in September 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a symbolic resolution designating August 7, 2025, as "Purple Heart Day" within Pennsylvania. It directly affects the state government and its citizens by encouraging official recognition of Purple Heart recipients on that date. The key provision is the formal designation of a specific date for commemoration, not a change to benefits or laws. It serves purely as an observance to honor military service members awarded the Purple Heart.

Maddy summaryHB 179 would allow Pennsylvania schools to provide or sell milk produced within the state for meals and snacks. It directly affects school districts and Pennsylvania dairy farmers by enabling them to use locally produced milk in school food programs. The bill removes current restrictions that prevent schools from prioritizing Pennsylvania milk in procurement. This policy change aims to support the state's dairy industry through school contracts.

Maddy summaryHB 1584 amends Pennsylvania's Agricultural Area Security Law to expand state funding for purchasing conservation easements. This allows the state to acquire land protections from farmers and landowners, preventing development on farmland. The key mechanism increases the state's capacity to secure these easements through dedicated funding, directly affecting agricultural landowners who may sell such protections to keep their land in farming use. The bill aims to preserve working farmland by making it easier for the state to protect agricultural areas.

Maddy summaryHB 1858 amends Pennsylvania's Emergency and Law Enforcement Personnel Death Benefits Act to extend death benefits to surviving spouses, children, or parents of corrections officers. Currently, the law provides benefits to families of certain emergency and law enforcement personnel, but corrections officers were excluded from coverage. This bill explicitly adds corrections officers to the eligible group, ensuring their families receive financial support if a corrections officer dies while on duty. The bill also includes minor editorial changes to update the law's language.

Maddy summaryHB 1342 amends fee structures under Pennsylvania's Conservation and Natural Resources Act, specifically adjusting fees and charges administered by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. It directly affects users of state conservation programs, including park visitors, recreation permit holders, and businesses utilizing natural resource management services. The bill modifies existing fee schedules for specific conservation-related activities without creating new fees. This update aims to align fee levels with current operational costs for state conservation programs.