Rep. Bob Freeman

Maddy summaryHB 192 repeals outdated language requiring psychological services to be provided on school premises for nonpublic school students. It updates the definition of "professional employees" to explicitly include school social workers, counselors, psychologists, and nurses in Pennsylvania schools. The bill mandates that school social workers must hold a new educational specialist certificate issued by the Department of Education, which must be created within 60 days. Additionally, it adds rules requiring schools to share student health records when students transfer and to retain those records for at least two years after a student leaves.

Maddy summaryHB 194 creates Pennsylvania's Mental Health Professional Student Loan Forgiveness Program, targeting mental health workers serving children and adolescents. It allows eligible residents who complete qualifying degrees (like social work, counseling, or psychology) and work in early childhood-to-adolescence mental health roles to receive up to $22,500 in loan forgiveness after signing a 7-year employment contract. The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) administers the program, requiring applicants to prove residency, partial degree completion, faculty recommendations, and secure employment in the specified field. Participants must maintain employment for seven years or repay the forgiven amount if they leave the field early, fail to comply, or provide false information. This directly affects mental health professionals in Pennsylvania seeking relief from student debt while addressing workforce needs in youth mental health.

Maddy summaryHB 82 establishes a grant program to train school bus drivers in recognizing symptoms of severe allergic reactions and safely administering epinephrine auto-injectors. School entities, including public school districts and charter schools, may require drivers to complete this training before transporting students. The Department of Education will administer the program, providing grants to fund training programs that teach drivers to identify anaphylaxis symptoms and use epinephrine devices. This policy directly affects school bus drivers, students with allergies, and school entities responsible for transportation safety.

Maddy summaryHB 93 designates specific dates for Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Eid al-Fitr, and Eid al-Adha as official holiday observances in Pennsylvania, based on Jewish and Islamic calendars. The bill recognizes these dates without requiring employers to provide paid leave or treat them as legal holidays. It explicitly states that the designation does not alter existing employment policies for businesses or schools. The law takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 112 amends Pennsylvania's Automobile Lemon Law to clarify which vehicles are covered under the law. It adds a new definition for "farm equipment" as new, unused vehicles exclusively designed for agricultural use (like planting or harvesting) that are registered in Pennsylvania. This change explicitly includes farm equipment under the definition of "new motor vehicle" in the law, ensuring these vehicles qualify for lemon law protections. The bill directly affects farmers and agricultural businesses purchasing or leasing such vehicles in Pennsylvania. The amendment takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 66 creates a Pennsylvania program providing $5,000 semester stipends to residents enrolled in accredited Master of Social Work (MSW) programs with a 3.0+ GPA. It directly affects students pursuing social work careers by funding their education through paid internships. The program requires internships at state-approved facilities to meet clinical training and licensing requirements, with stipends adjusted annually for inflation. Funding is contingent on available state budget resources, administered by the Department of Human Services.

Maddy summaryHB 45 requires businesses (vendors) selling services through contracts with automatic renewal clauses to clearly disclose renewal terms to consumers. Specifically, vendors must display renewal details in bold, 10-point font or larger, and provide written/electronic notice 30-60 days before renewal - detailing cancellation deadlines and how to opt out. If a business changes ownership, the new owner must notify consumers within 60 days and offer cancellation options. The law applies to contracts where renewal extends beyond six months, mandating vendors to retain proof of notification for six years. This affects consumers who sign service contracts and vendors operating in Pennsylvania.

Maddy summaryHB 48 creates a special "arts" vehicle registration plate in Pennsylvania for $41 extra per year (on top of standard fees), available for passenger cars, motor homes, trailers, and trucks under 14,000 pounds. The $15 portion of this fee is dedicated to the newly established Arts Promotion Fund. This fund, managed by the Council on the Arts, provides grants for arts programs, with spending estimates requiring Governor approval. The bill directly affects vehicle owners who choose the arts plate and supports arts funding through a dedicated revenue stream.

Maddy summaryHB 39 amends Pennsylvania law to formally establish county humane officers' powers and duties under Title 16. It allows county commissioners to hire humane officers who enforce existing dog control laws (from the 1982 Dog Law) and animal cruelty laws (18 Pa.C.S. Ch. 55 Subch. B). To qualify, officers must complete specific training programs (22 Pa.C.S. §§ 3712-3713) covering animal welfare enforcement. The bill directly affects county commissioners (who may hire officers) and the officers themselves, clarifying their legal authority without creating new animal welfare standards.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates March 2025 as "Endometriosis Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania. It does not create new laws or provide funding but formally recognizes endometriosis - a condition affecting about 10% of women - as a significant health issue. The resolution urges federal lawmakers to increase research funding for endometriosis, review Medicare/Medicaid billing codes to ensure fair reimbursement for surgical treatments, and establish a national awareness month. It directly affects Pennsylvanians by promoting public and medical awareness of endometriosis symptoms and diagnosis challenges, though it has no binding effect on state or federal policy.