Rep. Kristine Howard

Maddy summaryHouse Resolution 408 designates April 2026 as "Financial Literacy Month" in Pennsylvania. This symbolic resolution does not create new laws or requirements but encourages public awareness and education about financial literacy, aligning with national observances like President Biden's 2021 proclamation. It follows Pennsylvania's history of supporting financial education initiatives without imposing obligations on individuals or organizations.

Maddy summaryHR 367 designates November 2025 as "Children's Grief Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania. This commemorative resolution encourages statewide awareness and community support for children experiencing grief, without creating new laws or funding. It directly affects Pennsylvanians by prompting local organizations, schools, and government entities to recognize and address children's grief through educational and support initiatives during that month. The bill is currently pending in the Children & Youth committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's Capital Facilities Debt Enabling Act to clarify what counts as a redevelopment assistance capital project and removes a spending cap on housing construction. It defines these projects as those that generate economic activity, have regional impact, and include at least 50% non-state funding, while explicitly excluding highways, bridges, and waste or water facilities. Additionally, the legislation repeals a specific provision that previously limited the use of funds for building housing units to $50 million. These changes aim to provide clearer guidelines for borrowing money to fund large-scale community and economic development initiatives.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's standby guardianship laws to clarify definitions and streamline the process for seeking court approval of a designated guardian. It directly affects parents who want to name a standby guardian to care for their minor children if the parent becomes incapacitated, disabled, absent, or passes away. The key provision requires specific documentation to prove the triggering event has occurred before a standby guardian can file a petition for court approval, including medical determinations, consent forms, absence documentation, or a death certificate. The changes take effect 60 days after the bill is enacted.

Maddy summaryHB 1247 prohibits law enforcement officers from using deception - such as false promises of leniency or misleading information - during custodial interrogations of individuals with intellectual disabilities or autism. Any confession obtained through such deception would be presumed inadmissible in criminal or juvenile court cases for offenses that would be misdemeanors or felonies if committed by an adult. The state (Commonwealth) must prove the confession was voluntary by a preponderance of evidence to overcome this presumption, shifting the burden of proof from the defense to the prosecution. This applies to all custodial interrogations conducted at police stations or other detention facilities.

Maddy summaryHR 327 is a resolution directing the Joint State Government Commission to study how to reduce food waste in the state using multiple strategies, considering existing infrastructure. It would evaluate practical approaches for decreasing food waste across the Commonwealth, focusing on what is currently feasible. The resolution itself does not change laws or funding but would produce a report to inform future policy decisions. This study would be conducted by the Commission, with findings potentially guiding future legislative action on food waste reduction.

Maddy summaryHB 879 would change Pennsylvania law to allow both state and local prosecutors to pursue charges for riot, disorderly conduct, and related offenses that currently fall under state jurisdiction alone. This bill directly affects law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and individuals charged with these specific offenses by expanding who can bring legal action. The key provision establishes "concurrent jurisdiction," meaning local district attorneys and the state attorney general could both prosecute the same case without requiring state involvement. The bill aims to streamline enforcement for these offenses but does not alter the penalties or definitions of the crimes themselves.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania election laws to streamline how votes are counted and how disputes are handled in primaries and general elections. It requires the Secretary of the Commonwealth to immediately tabulate and certify election results, while also mandating that courts resolve election appeals within seven days. Additionally, the legislation allows for a rapid appeal to the Supreme Court within one day of a lower court's decision, ensuring a final ruling is issued before the meeting of presidential electors. These changes aim to accelerate the certification of election outcomes and provide a faster legal process for challenging election results.

Maddy summaryHB 562 amends Pennsylvania's 1883 law governing federal lands to explicitly include juvenile cases under the state's retained "concurrent jurisdiction." This means Pennsylvania courts will maintain authority over juvenile matters occurring on federal lands (like post offices) that were previously ceded to the U.S. government. The bill updates the 1883 statute to clarify that the state retains this specific jurisdiction, ensuring juvenile cases are handled under Pennsylvania law rather than solely federal authority. As a procedural amendment to existing law, it does not create new policy but formalizes current practice.

Maddy summaryHB 1800 would repeal the current legal provisions in Pennsylvania that recognize marriage between people of the same sex by removing specific sections from the domestic relations code. The bill directly affects same-sex couples currently married in Pennsylvania, as it would eliminate the statutory basis for their marriages. Key provisions include amending definitions in the preliminary sections of the code and striking down existing language that addresses same-sex marriage. The bill is currently referred to the Judiciary committee and has not been enacted.