Rep. Bob Freeman

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Newly Employed Teacher Grant Program to help teachers in their first two years of employment in Pennsylvania by providing funds for classroom supplies. The Department of Education will partner with an online platform to let eligible teachers apply for and purchase approved materials directly. The program requires detailed reporting on how the money is used across different school types and regions to ensure transparency and track its impact.

Maddy summaryThis bill asks the Pennsylvania House of Representatives to officially recognize the week of May 3 through 9, 2026, as 'National Travel and Tourism Week' within the state. It does not change any laws or allocate money, but instead serves to honor the importance of the travel industry, which supports over 514,000 jobs and generates billions in economic activity for Pennsylvania. The resolution highlights the state's tourism contributions to the economy and its role in celebrating the nation's 250th anniversary.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution designates April 2026 as "Distracted Driving Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania to promote safe driving habits. The bill does not create new laws or regulations but serves as a formal recognition to encourage drivers to avoid distractions like texting and talking while operating vehicles. It highlights statistics on distracted driving crashes and fatalities to raise public awareness about the dangers. The resolution encourages Pennsylvanians to focus on the road and discuss the risks of distracted driving with their families.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House resolution designates the week of May 3 through 9, 2026, as "Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week" to raise public and medical awareness about the condition. The bill highlights that tardive dyskinesia is a movement disorder that can occur in people taking antipsychotic medications, particularly those who are older, Black, female, or have had long-term medication exposure. It encourages healthcare providers, patients, and caregivers to learn more about the symptoms of the condition and the importance of regular screenings to enable early detection and treatment. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic gesture to promote education and awareness about this health issue.

Maddy summaryHR 417 is a symbolic resolution designating November 2025 as "Indiana University of Pennsylvania Appreciation Month" to celebrate the university's 150th anniversary. It formally recognizes IUP's history - from its founding as Indiana Normal School in 1875 to its current role in Pennsylvania's higher education system - without creating any legal obligations or funding changes. The resolution honors IUP's contributions to the state but does not affect any policies, programs, or individuals beyond this commemorative gesture.

Maddy summaryHB 2131 amends Pennsylvania's electric utility law to change how customers are handled when their electricity supplier contracts expire. If a customer doesn't secure a new contract with their current electricity supplier before their existing agreement ends, the supplier must automatically transfer them back to the default service provider at the provider's standard rate. This applies to residential and business customers who fail to proactively renew their electricity contracts. The bill requires utilities to submit compliance plans within 60 days to implement this automatic reconnection process, effective 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 2163 updates Pennsylvania's Dental Law by clarifying definitions and licensing rules. It specifically revises the definition of "restricted faculty license" to allow licensed dental school faculty to teach in non-profit clinical facilities or accredited advanced education programs, while explicitly excluding profit-driven operations. The bill also amends licensing provisions to require a 10-year waiting period for applicants convicted under drug laws (like the Controlled Substance Act), unless they demonstrate rehabilitation and pose no risk to public safety. These changes directly affect dental schools, faculty members, and applicants with prior drug-related convictions seeking licensure. The bill focuses on modernizing scope-of-practice definitions and refining the review process for certain applicants, without altering general licensing requirements.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House Resolution designates May 2026 as "Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Awareness Month" to highlight the impact of ALS on patients and their families. The bill does not change laws or allocate funding; instead, it serves as a symbolic gesture to increase public understanding of the disease and support ongoing research efforts. By formally recognizing the month, the resolution aims to draw attention to the challenges faced by those living with ALS and the importance of continued medical investigation.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House Resolution that formally recognizes April 2026 as "National Poetry Month" within Pennsylvania. It does not create new laws or change existing policies, but rather serves as an official statement of support for poetry and the literary arts. The resolution acknowledges the cultural and educational value of poetry, noting its role in education and community engagement. Sponsored by multiple legislators, it aims to honor the tradition of celebrating poetry during this designated month.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates April 13 through 19, 2026, as "National Osteopathic Medicine Week" in Pennsylvania. The resolution recognizes the contributions of osteopathic physicians in the state, noting that Pennsylvania has over 12,000 DOs and ranks third nationally in the number of practitioners. It highlights the presence of three osteopathic medical colleges in Pennsylvania and encourages the public to learn more about osteopathic medicine during this observance period. The measure is symbolic and does not create new laws or funding, but rather serves to raise awareness about the profession.