Rep. Joe Hohenstein

Maddy summaryThis bill designates May 2026 as "Guillain-Barré Syndrome Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania to highlight a rare autoimmune condition that damages peripheral nerves. The resolution aims to increase public understanding of the disease, which can cause muscle weakness and paralysis, and to encourage support for ongoing medical research. Directly affecting residents of Pennsylvania, the measure serves as a symbolic gesture rather than implementing new laws or funding programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania laws to restrict how juvenile suspects are held in police lockups and defines where they can be detained before a court hearing. It generally prohibits keeping children in adult police facilities, allowing it only for short periods under six hours for tasks like identification or processing, provided the child is separated from adults and under constant supervision. For longer-term detention, the law requires judges to confirm that no less restrictive option exists and mandates that children be placed in approved juvenile facilities rather than adult prisons. Additionally, the bill clarifies that children facing serious charges are entitled to an immediate bail hearing if they are held before trial.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House Resolution designates September 29, 2026, as "VFW Day" to honor the Veterans of Foreign Wars organization. The measure recognizes the VFW's history, its mission to support veterans, and its significant contributions to veterans' benefits and community service. By officially naming this date, the resolution encourages Pennsylvanians to acknowledge and support the VFW and its members.

Maddy summaryHB 2506 prevents Pennsylvania counties, municipalities, and townships from passing local laws that restrict the ownership, possession, transfer, or transportation of firearms and ammunition, as long as those items are not already banned by state or federal law. The bill also stops local governments from suing gun manufacturers or dealers for damages related to how firearms are designed, manufactured, or sold to the public. Additionally, it removes the specific authority for municipalities to regulate firearms entirely, ensuring that gun policy remains a state-level responsibility rather than a local one.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Second Class County Code to prohibit these counties from passing laws or taking actions that regulate firearms. Specifically, it removes the existing provision that allowed second-class counties to create ordinances regarding the transfer, ownership, transportation, or possession of guns. The change directly affects local governments in second-class counties by restricting their ability to implement their own gun control measures. The legislation becomes effective 60 days after it is passed.

Maddy summaryHB 2347 rebrands Pennsylvania's Energy Development Authority as the Energy Financing Authority and updates the legal definitions of 'project' and 'cost' within the state's Administrative Code. The bill clarifies that the authority can fund specific energy initiatives, such as renewable energy projects, infrastructure resilience improvements, and research into new energy technologies, provided these efforts cannot be adequately supported by private funding. Additionally, the legislation outlines the authority's powers and duties, establishes requirements for an annual report, and sets rules regarding the authority's ability to incur debt.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's child protective services laws to clarify which specific sexual offenses involving children must be reported and to strengthen reporting protocols for staff at schools and medical facilities. It explicitly requires mandated reporters to file a report if they suspect a child is involved in the creation, display, or possession of child sexual abuse material or artificially generated images of children, regardless of whether the minor created the content. Additionally, the legislation mandates that institution staff notify their supervisor immediately after making a report and ensures that institutions cooperate fully with subsequent investigations. The changes will not take effect until one year after the bill is passed.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Human Relations Act to clarify that religious or fraternal organizations cannot restrict membership based on race, color, national origin, or ancestry to deny equal access to housing, employment, or public accommodations. It specifically updates Section 5(h)(10) to explicitly prohibit such discrimination under the guise of religious or fraternal affiliation. The change directly affects religious institutions, fraternal organizations, and housing providers operating under existing exemptions. The amendment takes effect 60 days after passage.

Maddy summaryHB 558 caps residential rental application fees at $20 per applicant and restricts landlords from charging more for background checks that must include criminal history and credit score checks. It directly affects residential landlords and tenants in Pennsylvania by limiting fee amounts and specifying how fees may be used. The bill exempts commercial or nonresidential properties from these fee limits. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 1077 establishes the Commission on Children's Vision within Pennsylvania's Department of Education and Department of Health to address children's vision care needs. The commission will develop statewide plans and low-cost programs for vision screenings, follow-up exams, and glasses for students who need them, while coordinating with local vision care providers. It must issue annual reports by December 31 detailing program achievements, trends in unmet vision care needs, and recommendations for improving access. The commission, composed of state education/health officials and 12 vision care professionals, will not receive compensation but will receive administrative support from the departments. This bill directly affects Pennsylvania schoolchildren requiring vision care and the state departments responsible for health and education services.