Rep. Ben Sanchez

Maddy summaryHB 2199 requires Pennsylvania public schools to adopt or update anti-bullying policies specifically addressing gender-based bullying starting in the 2026-2027 school year. The policy must prohibit bullying based on a student's actual or perceived sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression, and include specific protections for transgender and nonbinary students during gender transitions. Schools must incorporate the policy into student conduct codes, distribute it in handbooks and classrooms, post it prominently, and review it annually with students. The bill also mandates that schools report bullying prevention efforts to the Department of Education annually. This directly affects all Pennsylvania public school students, particularly LGBTQ+ youth, by requiring schools to address gender-based bullying through defined policies and support systems.

Maddy summaryHB 2197 requires charter, regional charter, and cyber charter schools in Pennsylvania to annually report to the state education department the number of students who either returned to their district of residence or were otherwise removed from the school. This bill directly affects the management and accountability of these school types by mandating transparency around student enrollment changes. The key provision is the annual reporting requirement for school boards, focusing on tracking student departures rather than altering attendance rules. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment, with no changes to existing attendance policies for students.

Maddy summaryHB 2195 establishes a $1,000 tax credit for Pennsylvania resident individuals who adopt a child under 18 years old in the year the adoption is finalized. The credit applies only once per adopted child and may be claimed jointly by filing spouses, but not for children who are the spouse's biological child. To claim the credit, taxpayers must submit proof with their tax return, and the Department of Revenue must annually report usage statistics (including total claims and amounts) to the General Assembly starting in 2027. The credit applies to tax years beginning after December 31, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 413) commemorates the 50th anniversary of the closure of Freedom House Ambulance Service, the first U.S. ambulance service staffed by professionally trained paramedics, which operated in Pittsburgh's Hill District from 1967 to 1975. It honors the service's role in pioneering emergency medical care in predominantly Black neighborhoods - where prior response times were slow and medical treatment was unavailable - and its influence on modern emergency medical systems nationwide. The resolution recognizes the service's 1968 founding (training 25 Black paramedics), its high response standards, and its legacy of advancing community health equity. As a commemorative resolution, it does not create new laws but formally acknowledges this milestone during Pennsylvania's Black History Month.

Maddy summaryHR 389 is a symbolic resolution designating February 2026 as "Senior Independence Month" in Pennsylvania. It does not create new laws or programs but formally recognizes older adults' contributions and promotes community engagement through existing initiatives. The resolution urges all Pennsylvanians to honor seniors' achievements and support programs that foster independence, health, and social connection. This is a commemorative measure with no direct policy changes or financial impact.

Maddy summaryHB 2152 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to allow school districts to use state grant funds for shifting secondary school start times to no earlier than 8:30 a.m., requiring the new time to be at least 15 minutes later than current start times. School entities must adopt a policy for the later start time and inform communities about the health and academic benefits of adequate sleep for students before implementation. The Department of Education must provide guidance and support to schools planning this change, including public awareness campaigns. This applies to all Pennsylvania school districts and charter schools serving grades 7-12.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates the week of March 15-21, 2026, as "Sunshine Week" in Pennsylvania. It symbolically recognizes the importance of open government and public access to information, aligning with an annual observance started in 2005 by news organizations and open-government groups. The resolution urges all Pennsylvania residents to participate in raising awareness about transparency in government, without creating new laws or policies. It is a non-binding gesture supporting existing efforts to promote civic engagement around open records and meetings.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates March 8, 2026, as "Charter Day" and Pennsylvania's 345th birthday, commemorating the 1681 charter granted to William Penn by King Charles II. It urges Pennsylvania residents, schools, and historical organizations to participate in events hosted by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission and related institutions. The resolution is non-binding and aligns with the Commission's existing annual observance of this date. It does not create new laws or affect policy, but formally recognizes a historical milestone.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates February 2026 as "Black History Month" in Pennsylvania, symbolically recognizing the century-long observance of African American contributions to the Commonwealth and nation. It directly affects all Pennsylvania residents by formally honoring the historical achievements, resilience, and sacrifices of African Americans, marking the 100th anniversary of the movement founded by Dr. Carter Godwin Woodson. The resolution includes historical context about the origins of Black History Month and Pennsylvania's connections to Black labor and civil rights history, but it has no binding policy effects.

Maddy summaryHB 2123 amends Pennsylvania's adoption laws to require separate legal representation for placing parents (those voluntarily giving up a child for adoption) in adoption proceedings, with strict rules preventing attorneys from representing both placing parents and prospective adoptive parents. The bill mandates that home studies include at least six hours of training on transracial adoption, attachment, and trauma-informed parenting for adoption agencies. It also establishes new regulations for adoption intermediary services (acting as a link between placing and prospective adoptive parents) and advertising, prohibiting payments to placing parents for placement and creating an Adoption Intermediary Services Fund managed by the Department of Human Services. These changes directly affect placing parents, prospective adoptive parents, adoption agencies, and intermediary service providers.