Rep. Kristine Howard

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House Resolution designates July 4, 2026, as "Valley Forge National Historical Park Day" to celebrate the park's 50th anniversary. The bill directly affects the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the Valley Forge National Historical Park by officially recognizing the date for commemorative purposes. It does not create new laws or change existing policies, but rather serves as a symbolic designation to honor the site's historical significance during its half-century milestone.

Maddy summaryHB 84 amends Pennsylvania's Solid Waste Management Act to prohibit the road spreading and land application of oil and gas wastewater (including "tophole water" and "production water") for purposes like dust suppression, road deicing, or road bed stabilization. The bill directly affects oil and gas operators and municipalities handling this wastewater by banning these specific disposal methods, except for limited well-site applications under existing regulations. Key provisions include banning wastewater from being spread on roads or applied to land (except for well-site use per 25 Pa. Code § 78.60/78a.60) and prohibiting vehicles equipped to spread such wastewater. The law also clarifies that wastewater used for these purposes cannot be classified as a "coproduct" under department regulations. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 1611 revises Pennsylvania's Older Adults Protective Services Act to create a uniform statewide system for reporting and investigating abuse, neglect, exploitation, or abandonment of older adults. It directly affects vulnerable elderly Pennsylvanians and their caregivers by establishing mandatory reporting protocols and prohibiting financial exploitation. Key provisions include requiring local agencies to use a standardized reporting system, clarifying definitions of abuse and exploitation, and ensuring protective services are available to those at risk. The bill also updates funding mechanisms and penalties for violations, aiming to improve coordination and response across all counties.

Maddy summaryThis resolution directs state committees to study how Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance pay for behavioral health crisis services in Pennsylvania. The investigation aims to understand how current payment methods affect the ability of crisis centers to operate sustainably and provide accessible care. The study will analyze specific financial data, compare reimbursement rates across different payors, and review successful models used in other states. Ultimately, the committees will develop recommendations to improve funding and ensure the long-term viability of these essential services.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to allow students with asthma or severe allergies to possess and self-administer their prescribed asthma medications (including inhalers) and epinephrine auto-injectors at school. Schools must create written policies requiring students to demonstrate self-administration capability and notify the school nurse after use, while ensuring medications are stored safely and accessible only to authorized students. The bill also permits trained school staff, including bus drivers and crossing guards, to administer epinephrine auto-injectors in emergencies for students experiencing allergic reactions or asthma attacks. These changes aim to improve student safety by ensuring timely access to life-saving medications during school hours.

Maddy summaryHB 1045 requires Pennsylvania school nurses and other school staff with direct student contact to complete Department of Health-approved training on seizure recognition and first aid starting in the 2025-2026 school year, with training required every two years thereafter. The bill mandates specific content about identifying seizures, using seizure action plans, and providing basic first aid. It also clarifies that school staff providing seizure-related care are protected from civil liability under existing Good Samaritan laws (42 Pa.C.S. §§ 8332 and 8337.1). This bill directly affects all public school staff in Pennsylvania who work with students and aims to improve emergency response for students with seizure disorders.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Public Utility Credit Act, requires public utilities in Pennsylvania to report credit information related to customer accounts. It defines "public utility" broadly to include providers of electricity, gas, water, transportation, and telecommunications, while excluding specific entities like nonprofit cooperatives and private generators. The legislation imposes duties on these utilities to maintain and share credit data, aiming to create a standardized system for tracking customer payment history. By establishing clear reporting requirements, the bill seeks to improve how financial responsibility is managed and shared across the utility sector.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's Landlord and Tenant Act to clarify lease rules and introduce a rent reporting system. It maintains the existing requirement that leases longer than three years must be in writing while confirming that shorter leases can be oral or written. Additionally, the bill establishes a program allowing landlords to report on-time rent payments to consumer reporting agencies, which tenants must opt into. Landlords participating in this program must provide written notice and a signed receipt to tenants at the start of the lease to ensure they are aware of the reporting option.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a non-binding resolution that officially designates June 2, 2026, as "Cancer Action Day" in Pennsylvania to raise awareness about the state's high cancer rates. It highlights statistics on cancer diagnoses and deaths in the Commonwealth while noting disparities in access to care for various communities. The resolution urges lawmakers to support future legislation aimed at improving cancer prevention, detection, and treatment services. As a commemorative measure, the bill does not create new laws or allocate funding but serves to honor those affected by cancer and advocate for improved health outcomes.

Maddy summaryThis resolution directs the Joint State Government Commission to study Pennsylvania's disability waiver programs. It specifically examines how to improve experiences for individuals receiving Home and Community-Based Services waivers through the Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) and Office of Developmental Programs (ODP). The study will assess medical care access, healthcare support barriers, and staffing challenges for waiver participants. The findings will inform future improvements to these services, focusing on people with disabilities who rely on community-based care instead of institutional settings. (HR 134, 2025)