Rep. Donna Scheuren

Maddy summaryHB 1661 amends the Health Care Facilities Act to require licensed health care facilities - including hospitals and clinics - to report costs incurred when providing health care to individuals classified as "illegal migrants" under the bill. This reporting obligation applies directly to facilities operating under the Act, without altering existing emergency care requirements for all patients. The bill specifies a new administrative duty for facilities to document and submit these costs but does not detail reporting frequency, format, or data usage. The legislation focuses solely on tracking these expenses, with no changes to eligibility for care.

Maddy summaryHR 199 is a ceremonial resolution designating October 2025 as "Breast Cancer Awareness Month" and October 17, 2025, as "National Mammography Day" in Pennsylvania. It does not create new laws, allocate funds, or impose requirements on any individuals or entities; it solely serves to recognize these observances. The resolution aims to raise public awareness about breast cancer prevention and early detection through mammography. As a procedural resolution, it affects no specific group or policy and has no binding effect. The bill was referred to the Health Committee but was later laid on the table (stalled) on June 23, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 704 creates a new Neurodegenerative Disease Research Program and a dedicated funding mechanism within the Department of Health to support research on conditions like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. The bill directs the Department of Health to manage the program and administer the Neurodegenerative Disease Research Program Fund, which will provide grants for scientific studies. This legislation directly affects researchers, medical institutions, and patients seeking treatments for neurodegenerative diseases by establishing a formal structure for funding and coordinating research efforts. The bill passed the legislature in June 2025 and is now pending final action by the Governor.

Maddy summaryHB 1619 establishes a new regulatory program within the Department of Revenue to oversee "skill gaming" (games where skill determines outcomes, not chance). It requires businesses offering such games to obtain licenses, comply with specific zoning rules for where they can operate, and follow new operational standards. The bill imposes both criminal penalties for serious violations and civil penalties for lesser breaches. This directly affects skill gaming businesses, local governments managing zoning, and the Department of Revenue, which gains authority to issue licenses and enforce rules.

Maddy summaryHB 1595 removes Pennsylvania's state-specific regulations for heavy-duty diesel vehicle emissions (25 Pa. Code Ch. 126 Subch. E) and replaces them with federal standards. It directly affects heavy-duty diesel vehicle owners, operators, and manufacturers in Pennsylvania who previously had to comply with the state's emissions control program. The bill's key mechanism is the immediate abrogation of Pennsylvania's program, making federal emissions standards the only applicable requirement for these vehicles in the state. The law takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 1499 updates Pennsylvania's child custody laws under Title 23. It clarifies definitions, establishes clearer rules for awarding primary physical custody, and requires courts to consider criminal convictions when making custody decisions. The bill also mandates parenting plans and specifies factors judges must evaluate, directly affecting parents, judges, and child welfare agencies involved in custody cases. The legislation was recently referred to the Judiciary Committee on May 28, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1461 establishes the Career and Technical Education Investment Incentive Program within the Public School Code of 1949. This program allows business firms to make contributions - including cash, property, or services - to support career and technical education. These contributions can go to non-profit partnership organizations or directly to participating public and charter schools. Funds are intended to cover program-related costs or expand enrollment for eligible students in these programs, particularly those focused on high-priority occupations.

Maddy summaryHB 977 amends Pennsylvania's Municipalities Planning Code to clarify recording requirements for zoning hearing boards. It adds a definition for "recording device" (including cameras, audio recorders, and future technologies) and updates rules for hearing documentation. The bill requires boards to maintain either a stenographic record or a high-quality audio/video recording, with costs for recordings split equally between applicants and boards. Transcription costs are covered by the board if ordered by them, or by the appellant if appealing a decision. This affects local zoning hearing boards and participants in municipal zoning proceedings across Pennsylvania.

Maddy summaryHB 1394 proposes to repeal the inheritance tax in Pennsylvania, directly affecting estates and beneficiaries who would no longer be subject to this tax on inherited assets. The bill also modifies procedures for taxpayers to petition for a reassessment of taxes. Additionally, it updates existing provisions related to how government-issued obligations are treated for tax purposes.

Maddy summaryHB 1367 requires Pennsylvania's Department of Human Services to implement a new child welfare case management subsystem within its enterprise case management system by December 31, 2027. This subsystem will replace current processes, creating a unified digital platform for managing child welfare cases across state agencies, counties, and service providers. It directly affects child welfare workers, county offices, and service agencies handling foster care, abuse investigations, and family support services. The bill sets a specific deadline for this technical upgrade but does not change eligibility rules or funding for child welfare programs.