Rep. Kristine Howard

Maddy summaryHB 180 replaces Pennsylvania’s existing school lunch and breakfast reimbursement system with a new Universal School Meal Program, ensuring all public school students in the state can receive free meals regardless of family income or unpaid meal debt. The bill requires school districts to provide meals to any student who requests one (unless parents specifically withhold consent in writing) and prohibits schools from stigmatizing students with meal debt through wristbands, public identification, or denying activities like sports or graduation. It bans collecting fees, interest, or using collections agencies for unpaid meal costs, and mandates schools help families apply for assistance instead of pursuing debt. This directly affects over 1.5 million Pennsylvania public school students and their school districts, shifting from a means-tested system to universal access.

Maddy summaryThis bill's title indicates it would amend Pennsylvania's criminal code to establish liability for deploying artificial intelligence systems, but the provided context does not include the bill's specific provisions, definitions, or affected parties (e.g., developers, businesses, or users). Without the full text or detailed description of the liability framework (e.g., negligence standards, specific AI applications covered), key mechanisms cannot be described. The referral to the Judiciary committee on May 30, 2025, shows its current status but does not clarify the policy changes. A complete summary requires additional details beyond the title and referral date.

Maddy summaryHB 1524 amends the Public Transportation Assistance Fund provisions within Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code of 1971. The bill revises how funds are managed or allocated for public transportation programs, directly affecting state transportation agencies and public transit providers receiving these funds. It modifies specific sections of the existing tax code governing this dedicated fund. The bill was recently referred to the Transportation committee for further consideration. (3 sentences)

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HR 241) urges Congress to adopt three specific bills: H.R. 1876 (keeping field offices open), H.R. 1877 (protecting Social Security data), and S. 770 (expanding Social Security). It does not create new laws or affect individuals directly; instead, it is a non-binding request addressed to Congress. The resolution was referred to the Aging & Older Adult Services committee on May 29, 2025, for consideration.

Maddy summaryHB 1506 would require Pennsylvania state and county correctional facilities to provide affordable communication services, such as phone calls or video visits, for inmates. This bill directly affects incarcerated individuals and their families by improving access to regular contact. The key provision mandates that all correctional institutions must offer these services at reasonable rates, aiming to support family connections during incarceration. The bill is currently under review by the Communications & Technology committee.

Maddy summaryHB 1519 amends Pennsylvania's 1921 Insurance Company Law to require casualty insurance policies to cover mental illness treatments. This directly affects insurance companies writing casualty policies and policyholders seeking mental health services. The key provision mandates that insurers include mental health coverage in standard casualty policies, aligning it with other health coverage requirements. The bill focuses on expanding access to mental health care by ensuring it is covered under these specific insurance policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's pilot program for non-narcotic medication-assisted treatment (MAT) in prisons and parole settings. It removes outdated rules about the program's establishment, clarifies requirements for county participation, and specifies how grant funds can be used for treatment services. The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency gains new duties to oversee the program, and the bill includes administrative updates to the state statutes governing it. The changes directly affect counties administering the pilot program and individuals in prison or parole under the MAT initiative.

Maddy summaryHB 79 requires hospitals to establish clear financial assistance programs for patients who cannot afford care, including standardized forms and easily accessible information about eligibility and coverage. It mandates that hospitals publicly share details about their financial aid policies and report their program rules to the Department of Health. These requirements directly affect hospitals operating in the state and patients seeking financial help with medical bills. The bill aims to standardize and increase transparency in hospital financial aid offerings.

Maddy summaryHB 393 amends Pennsylvania's Second Class Township Code to increase annual tax limits for fire and ambulance services. It raises the maximum fire tax rate from 3 mills to 10 mills and ambulance tax from 0.5 mills to 5 mills, allowing townships to fund equipment, training, and emergency services. Townships can use up to half the revenue for staff salaries (with board approval) and must seek voter approval if rates exceed these new limits. This directly affects second-class townships needing to finance local fire and ambulance operations under the code.

Maddy summaryHB 140 amends Pennsylvania's Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law to add specific definitions related to algorithmic rent-setting software. The bill defines "unfair methods of competition" to include using software that analyzes rental data (like historical prices or occupancy rates) to recommend rent amounts, lease terms, or occupancy levels for residential or commercial properties. Landlords using such software would be directly affected, as its use could now be considered an unfair practice under the law. The definition explicitly excludes aggregated rental reports published monthly and tools used for affordable housing program compliance.