Rep. Kristine Howard

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House Resolution designates October 2026 as "Infant Safe Sleep Month" to raise awareness about preventing sleep-related infant deaths. It encourages the state Department of Health to partner with hospitals, community groups, and organizations like Cribs for Kids to promote evidence-based safe sleep practices through year-round public education campaigns. The resolution also directs that educational resources be developed and distributed in English and Spanish, with consideration for other common languages, to help parents create safer sleeping environments for their babies.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House Resolution designates November 15, 2026, as "Articles of Confederation Day" to mark the 249th anniversary of the document's adoption. The bill formally recognizes the City of York and York County for their historical role in hosting the Continental Congress during the American Revolution. It highlights that the Articles of Confederation were adopted in the York County Courthouse, serving as the first constitution uniting the colonies.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House Resolution designates October 2026 as "Arts and Culture Month" to formally recognize the value of artistic expression within the state. The bill cites the economic impact of the arts industry and its role in fostering community connections as reasons for the designation. It calls on residents to celebrate artists and scholars through appropriate programs, ceremonies, and celebrations during that month.

Maddy summaryPennsylvania House Bill 2737 amends the state's Public School Code to require annual reporting on student wait lists for career and technical education programs. The bill mandates that area career and technical boards submit data on the number of students waiting for enrollment in specific programs to the Department of Education by July 1 each year. Additionally, it requires the Secretary of Education to report this wait list information, broken down by program, to the state legislature's standing education committees annually.

Maddy summaryPennsylvania House Bill 2734 requires health insurance companies to cover FDA-approved diagnostic tests and treatments that slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. The mandate applies to insurers offering individual or group health policies in the state, with a compliance deadline of January 1, 2028, unless federal law preempts the requirement. The bill explicitly prohibits insurers from using step therapy for these specific treatments, meaning patients cannot be forced to try other medications first before receiving coverage for approved Alzheimer's therapies.

Maddy summaryPennsylvania House Bill 2728 amends state corporate law to prohibit business corporations, nonprofit corporations, and limited liability companies from directly or indirectly engaging in election activity or ballot question activity. The bill revokes existing general powers granted to these entities and re-grants them with specific exclusions for political spending, defining such activities as paying or contributing money to support or oppose candidates, political parties, or ballot measures. Any language in a corporate charter that purports to authorize this political activity is declared void, and any such activity conducted by an entity is considered ultra vires and legally invalid. Entities that violate these provisions face the automatic forfeiture of their charter privileges, including limited liability and perpetual duration, until they fully disgorge funds and certify future compliance. The Attorney General is authorized to pursue civil actions for injunctive relief and enforcement against non-compliant entities.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires dental insurance companies in Pennsylvania to create secure online portals that give dental providers and their staff daily access to detailed patient benefit information, including claims history and denial reasons. The legislation mandates that any verbal or written statements made by insurers regarding benefits or costs must be binding on future claims, with specific exceptions for fraud or eligibility changes. To enforce these rules, the bill allows providers to sue for the original billed amount if insurers fail to pay within 30 days and imposes administrative fines of up to $10,000 for non-compliance. The changes are designed to increase transparency and reduce billing disputes, and they will take effect one year after the bill is enacted.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania bill creates a new tax incentive to encourage the installation of green infrastructure, such as rain gardens, green roofs, and permeable pavement, on properties within the state. It defines "green infrastructure" as stormwater management practices that reduce or reuse runoff and sets rules for claiming a tax credit based on qualified costs like design, materials, and installation. To receive the credit, taxpayers must complete a certified project and submit detailed documentation to the Department of Revenue, while excluding costs covered by grants or routine maintenance. The legislation also updates the legal definition of "tax credit" to include this new program alongside existing state tax benefits.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to add cruelty to animals as a new criminal offense in Pennsylvania's Title 18. It would make it illegal to intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly illtreat, overload, beat, abandon, or abuse any animal. Additionally, the law would specifically prohibit using animals to pull carriages for business or money in cities with populations of 100,000 or more. If passed, these changes would take effect 60 days after the bill becomes law.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House Resolution condemns the Russian Federation's actions in Ukraine, specifically the illegal abduction and forced transfer of Ukrainian children to Russia. The document states that these actions violate the Genocide Convention by attempting to erase Ukrainian identity and culture through forced adoption and re-education. It notes that while some children have been returned, hundreds of thousands remain at risk of exploitation and cultural assimilation in occupied territories. The resolution directs copies to the President, Vice President, Secretary of State, and U.S. Congress members to formally register the state's opposition to these policies.