Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz

Maddy summaryHB 282 amends Pennsylvania's Human Services Code (1967) to clarify eligibility rules for individuals receiving medical assistance under public assistance programs. The bill directly affects current and prospective recipients of medical assistance, ensuring consistent application of qualification standards. Key provisions update how eligibility is determined for medical assistance, though specific changes are not detailed in the provided context. The bill passed the House on June 3, 2025, and was referred to the Health & Human Services committee for further review.

Maddy summaryHB 1096 creates the Pennsylvania Food Bucks Program, which provides financial assistance to low-income residents for purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables at participating retailers. The bill establishes a dedicated "Pennsylvania Food Bucks Program Account" within the state treasury to fund the program and requires the state to conduct research on the program's effectiveness. It directly affects eligible low-income Pennsylvanians and participating farmers and retailers by expanding access to healthy food options. The law, which passed on June 3, 2025, focuses on concrete policy changes: creating the program structure, securing funding through the new account, and mandating program evaluation.

Maddy summaryHB 1531 creates a new first-degree felony offense called "child torture" under Pennsylvania law. It defines this as intentionally or knowingly engaging in a course of conduct involving more than one of the following against a child under 18: torture, physical assault, unreasonable confinement, forced positioning, or failure to provide care. The law removes requirements to prove mental anguish, pain, or specific harm for conviction and explicitly states that reasonable parental discipline (like punishment for misbehavior) is not covered, as long as it doesn’t cause serious harm or extreme distress. This bill directly affects children under 18 and caregivers whose actions meet the defined criteria.

Maddy summaryHR 143 is a non-binding resolution designating March 18, 2025, as "Public Defender Day" in Pennsylvania. It symbolically honors public defenders' work but does not create new laws, impose costs, or directly affect any individuals or entities. The resolution was referred to the Judiciary Committee, amended, and ultimately laid on the table (stalled) on May 30, 2025, meaning it did not advance further. This is a ceremonial measure with no substantive policy impact.

Maddy summaryHB 1524 amends the Public Transportation Assistance Fund provisions within Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code of 1971. The bill revises how funds are managed or allocated for public transportation programs, directly affecting state transportation agencies and public transit providers receiving these funds. It modifies specific sections of the existing tax code governing this dedicated fund. The bill was recently referred to the Transportation committee for further consideration. (3 sentences)

Maddy summaryHB 1521 amends the 1935 Enforcement Officer Disability Benefits Law to clarify and update provisions for disability benefits for enforcement officers. The bill directly affects law enforcement and public safety officers, such as police and firefighters, by revising definitions used to determine eligibility for benefits. Key provisions include updated definitions that will guide how disability benefit claims are processed and approved. This change focuses on refining the legal framework for benefit administration without altering the benefit amounts.

Maddy summaryHB 1523 would impose an excise fee on rides provided by transportation network companies (TNCs) like Uber or Lyft in Pennsylvania. The bill amends specific sections of state law related to municipalities, public utilities, and transportation to require this fee to be collected on each ride. The fee would directly affect TNC operators, who would be responsible for paying and collecting it from riders. This policy change creates a new revenue stream for transportation-related funds under the amended statutes.

Maddy summaryHB 1510 amends Pennsylvania's transportation laws to establish a structured framework for sustainable mobility programs, directly affecting state transportation agencies and organizations receiving state funds for projects like bike lanes, pedestrian infrastructure, or electric vehicle charging networks. Key provisions define sustainable mobility, streamline funding applications and approvals, clarify federal funding coordination, and create separate programs for asset improvements, new initiatives, and statewide projects. The bill also sets a small purchase threshold for simpler project approvals and removes outdated rules about evaluating private investment opportunities. These changes aim to standardize how the state manages and funds non-traditional transportation infrastructure.

Maddy summaryHB 1513 would amend Pennsylvania's criminal code to establish criminal liability for internet publishers and distributors who knowingly make material harmful to minors available online. The bill targets content such as explicit sexual material deemed harmful to minors, creating a legal framework for prosecution without requiring proof of intent to harm minors. It directly affects online platforms, website operators, and content distributors that host or share such material. The bill is currently pending in the Communications & Technology committee for further review.

Maddy summaryHB 1517 would amend Pennsylvania's vehicle registration laws to allow private vendors to design custom license plates for vehicle owners. This change directly affects drivers who wish to choose non-standard plate designs and vendors seeking to sell these customized options. The bill establishes a new process within the state's vehicle registration system for vendor-designed plates, replacing the current requirement for state-only designs. It does not alter vehicle registration fees or requirements beyond this plate design option.