Rep. Kristine Howard

Maddy summaryHB 915 creates a new supplemental funding program under Pennsylvania's Public School Code to support childcare facilities serving meals through the federal Child and Adult Care Food Program. The bill establishes a "Supplement" administered by the Department of Education, providing additional financial reimbursements to facilities that demonstrate they can serve more meals or improve care for enrolled children and adults. Facilities must meet specific criteria, such as expanding meal service or enhancing educational opportunities (with separate standards for nonprofits vs. for-profits), and must report annually to multiple legislative committees on participation, meals served, and funding needs. This bill directly affects licensed childcare centers, shelters, and similar facilities receiving federal meal reimbursements.

Maddy summaryHB 33 amends Pennsylvania's Medical Marijuana Act to clarify definitions and strengthen oversight of testing labs and practitioners. It defines key terms like "independent laboratory" (requiring no ties to marijuana businesses) and "approved laboratory" (testing medical marijuana samples under department approval). The bill gives the Department of Health new authority to impose conditions on medical practitioners, such as limiting certifications or requiring supervision, to protect patient safety. These changes directly affect medical marijuana patients, healthcare providers who certify them, and labs testing products for quality and safety. The updates aim to improve accountability in the program through clearer rules for lab accreditation and practitioner oversight.

Maddy summaryHB 895 establishes a process for Pennsylvania citizens to report specific federal consumer protection violations to the Office of Attorney General through a public website, email, or phone line. The bill requires the Attorney General to create this system and assign each citizen a unique identifier and password, along with collecting contact details for potential testimony. If the Attorney General secures a monetary recovery based on a citizen's information about violations like fraud, privacy breaches, or consumer credit issues, a witness award must be requested. This law directly affects citizens with knowledge of the listed federal offenses and the Office of Attorney General.

Maddy summaryHB 884 establishes Pennsylvania's Four-Day Workweek Pilot Program, allowing private and public employers to test a four-day workweek for at least 30 employees without pay or benefit cuts. Employers participating must apply to the Department of Labor and Industry, submit a transition plan, and allow the department to study impacts through surveys. Qualifying employers receive tax credits of either $250,000 per business or $5,000 per participating employee, capped at $15 million total annually. The program requires the Department of Labor and Revenue to coordinate administration, study outcomes, and encourage public-sector adoption, with the pilot set to expire after its initial implementation period.

Maddy summaryHB 860 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to prohibit public schools from removing library books or instructional materials based on specific reasons, such as an author's race, gender identity, political views, or content about sexuality. It directly affects public school entities (including districts, charter schools, and libraries) by banning "soft censorship" - removing materials outside formal review processes - and requires schools to publicly report such removals. The bill mandates that materials can only be removed following a defined procedure, ensuring decisions are based on educational appropriateness, not personal views. It also requires schools to provide online complaint forms for students or parents who experience unauthorized removals, referencing data showing 457 book challenges in Pennsylvania from 2021-2022. The law aims to protect students' access to diverse learning resources while aligning with First Amendment principles.

Maddy summaryHouse Resolution 103 designates April 2025 as "National Volunteer Month" in Pennsylvania. The resolution encourages all residents to engage in volunteer activities, highlighting community benefits such as building social connections, supporting local resilience, and providing personal fulfillment as outlined in the resolution's preamble. It does not create new laws or require specific actions, serving as a symbolic recognition of volunteerism's value.

Maddy summaryThis resolution directs Pennsylvania's Joint State Government Commission to study supportive housing availability, types, and demand across the state. The study will examine both temporary and permanent supportive housing options, focusing on vulnerable populations including those experiencing homelessness, living with chronic health conditions, or struggling with low incomes. The Commission must provide policy recommendations and a final report within 18 months to legislative leaders, informing future planning for supportive housing needs. This is a procedural study request - not a law creating new housing - and aims to gather data to guide potential future policy decisions.

Maddy summaryHB 831 establishes a 24-month moratorium on transferring hospital ownership to for-profit entities in Pennsylvania. It directly affects hospitals and health systems seeking to change ownership structures, pausing approvals for such transactions. The bill also requires the Joint State Government Commission to study for-profit hospital ownership patterns, including causes for their rise, cost/benefit comparisons with non-profits, and policy recommendations. The Commission must issue a report to state leaders within 18 months of the law's effective date. The moratorium and study requirements expire 24 months after the bill takes effect.

Maddy summaryHB 848 amends Pennsylvania's Solid Waste Management Act to allow criminal charges for violations of the law. The bill adds a provision enabling the state Attorney General or local district attorneys to file criminal cases when the act or its regulations are broken. This directly affects businesses, individuals, and facilities handling solid waste that fail to comply with waste management rules. The key change expands enforcement beyond civil penalties by introducing criminal prosecution as a tool for violations, such as improper disposal or non-compliance with waste regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 847 amends Pennsylvania's Safe Drinking Water Act to require the Department of Environmental Resources to offer a written preenforcement conference with violators before criminal charges can be filed under the Act's penalty provisions. This change directly affects individuals or entities potentially facing criminal prosecution for violations covered under sections (c), (d), or (e) of the Act. The key mechanism adds a mandatory step: the department must provide written notice of an opportunity to discuss the alleged violation before any criminal proceedings begin. The bill does not change the penalties or violations themselves but alters the enforcement process for criminal cases. (House Bill 847, 2025 Session)