Rep. Kristine Howard

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House resolution designates August 2024 as Endometriosis Awareness Month to highlight the condition's impact on women's health. The bill urges federal officials to increase research funding, improve medical reimbursement for endometriosis surgeries, and establish a national awareness month. It also calls for better education of the public and medical professionals regarding the symptoms and diagnosis of endometriosis.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution designates June 2024 as "Dairy Month" in Pennsylvania to recognize the state's dairy industry. The measure highlights the economic importance of dairy farming, noting that it supports over 47,000 jobs and generates billions in annual activity. While the resolution does not create new laws or regulations, it aims to raise awareness about the industry and encourage the purchase of locally produced dairy products.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Pennsylvania Affordable Homeownership Subsidy Program to help middle-income families buy homes by providing financial grants. It targets households earning between 60% and 120% of the area median income and allows grants of up to $125,000 to nonprofit groups, government entities, or developers. The funding can be used for various purposes, including purchasing properties, offering homebuyer education, repairing homes, and managing assets to ensure long-term affordability. The Department of Community and Economic Development will oversee the program, set application rules, and submit annual reports to the legislature on how the funds are used.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the Pennsylvania Food Bucks Program to require grantees to verify the residency of every SNAP recipient receiving benefits. It specifically prohibits providing benefit incentives to individuals who are not residents of Pennsylvania or who are not lawful residents of the United States. Additionally, the legislation mandates that program evaluators conduct biennial reviews and publish detailed reports on funding usage, geographic distribution, and participating retailers. The bill also grants the department authority to refer suspected immigration law violations to enforcement agencies. These changes directly affect the administration of the food incentive program and the eligibility criteria for participating SNAP recipients.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates April 2024 as "National Volunteer Month" within Pennsylvania to honor the contributions of volunteers. It highlights the benefits of volunteering, such as job assistance, skill development, and improved community resilience, without creating new laws or funding. The resolution serves as a formal recognition and encourages residents to participate in community service efforts during the specified month.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Pennsylvania Human Services department to update its licensing rules within 60 days to include assisted living and supplemental health care services under the state's Community HealthChoices program. Specifically, it requires the department to submit necessary paperwork to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services so that licensed assisted living facilities can be certified as medical assistance providers for these services. The legislation affects assisted living residences and the state health department by formally integrating these facilities into the existing healthcare coverage system.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania laws to improve substance use overdose awareness by requiring the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs to distribute educational posters in multiple languages. The department is authorized to cover the costs of printing and distributing these materials, which must be placed in conspicuous locations where permitted. Additionally, the legislation establishes a new grant program designed to support long-term recovery from substance use. These changes directly affect state agencies responsible for drug and alcohol prevention and the communities they serve.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's tax code to create a new tax credit program designed to help beginning farmers acquire land from existing owners. Under the proposed changes, both the seller of agricultural assets and the new beginning farmer would receive a tax credit equal to five percent of the sale price or fair market value, capped at $50,000 per farm. To qualify, individuals must apply to the Department of Agriculture for certification as a beginning farmer, which requires submitting financial projections and proof of agricultural experience. The legislation also updates definitions to clarify which government department oversees the program and specifies the documentation needed to verify eligibility for the credit.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Workplace Misclassification Act, establishes clearer rules for determining when workers in Pennsylvania are classified as independent contractors versus employees, primarily affecting businesses and workers outside the construction industry. To qualify as an independent contractor, an individual must have a specific written contract, operate their own business with their own tools, and be free from the hiring company's control over how they perform their work. The law also creates new penalties for employers who incorrectly classify workers, including the ability for the Department of Labor and Industry to issue stop-work orders and ban companies from future public contracts. Additionally, the act allows individuals to sue for violations and prohibits employers from retaliating against workers who report misclassification issues.

Maddy summaryHB 2370 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to update regulations for public schools and charter schools, with specific new rules on advertising and funding. The bill requires public schools to clearly state that any advertised costs for tuition or technology are paid by taxpayers and prohibits schools from using taxpayer money to sponsor public events. It also establishes reporting requirements for school advertising expenditures and expands definitions related to charter school management and enrollment. Additionally, the legislation modifies how student-weighted basic education funding is calculated and introduces new accountability grants for the state.