Rep. Bob Freeman

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 summaryHouse Resolution 223 is a commemorative resolution that recognizes November 19, 2025, as "Roy Campanella Day" in Pennsylvania. This resolution honors the life and legacy of Roy Campanella, a Philadelphia native who was a pioneering baseball player, civil rights advocate, and disability advocate.

Maddy summaryHB 1376 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to establish standards for school-based health centers in public, private, and parochial schools. It requires these centers to provide accessible care without denying services based on payment ability, insurance status, or health conditions, while coordinating with students' existing primary care providers. Centers must offer a full range of services with proper parental consent, minimize barriers to care, and maintain confidentiality per federal law. The bill also creates a statewide advisory council and a department liaison to oversee implementation and ensure centers align with student needs like age, demographics, and community resources.

Maddy summaryHB 1373 requires Pennsylvania high schools to administer the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services Test as a civic knowledge assessment to students in grades 7-12 starting in the 2026-2027 school year. Students must score at least 60% on this test to meet a high school graduation requirement. Schools must report compliance data, including participation and passing rates, to the state education department every other year. The bill specifically exempts students with individualized education programs (IEPs) if their IEPs indicate they are not required to take the test.

Maddy summaryHB 1371 creates new antitrust enforcement tools in Pennsylvania, primarily affecting health care providers, insurers, and consumers. It establishes a legal cause of action for antitrust violations, allows indirect purchasers (like patients) to seek recovery for harm caused by anti-competitive practices, and requires premerger notification for health care mergers and transactions. The bill also imposes penalties for violations and defines key terms like "health care facility system" and "provider organization." This directly impacts health care entities planning mergers and gives consumers a new avenue to challenge unfair pricing or reduced competition.

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.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House Resolution (HR 213) designates June 19, 2025, as "Juneteenth Independence Day" to commemorate June 19, 1865 - the date Union troops in Galveston, Texas, announced the end of slavery nationwide. It encourages Pennsylvania residents to observe the day through educational events and activities. As a commemorative resolution, it does not create new laws or establish a paid holiday, but formally recognizes the historical significance of the date when slavery was finally abolished in all U.S. regions.

Maddy summaryHB 308 establishes new workplace health and safety standards specifically for public employees in Pennsylvania, including those working for the Commonwealth, counties, cities, schools, and public institutions. It creates the Pennsylvania Occupational Safety and Health Review Board, grants the Secretary of Labor new enforcement powers for workplace inspections, and requires public employers to meet safety standards comparable to those in the private sector under federal OSHA. The bill imposes penalties for violations, prohibits employer retaliation against employees reporting safety concerns, and mandates recordkeeping and reporting procedures. This legislation directly affects all public employees across Pennsylvania who previously lacked consistent state-level safety protections.