Rep. Joe Hohenstein

Maddy summaryHB 2199 requires Pennsylvania public schools to adopt or update anti-bullying policies specifically addressing gender-based bullying starting in the 2026-2027 school year. The policy must prohibit bullying based on a student's actual or perceived sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression, and include specific protections for transgender and nonbinary students during gender transitions. Schools must incorporate the policy into student conduct codes, distribute it in handbooks and classrooms, post it prominently, and review it annually with students. The bill also mandates that schools report bullying prevention efforts to the Department of Education annually. This directly affects all Pennsylvania public school students, particularly LGBTQ+ youth, by requiring schools to address gender-based bullying through defined policies and support systems.

Maddy summaryHR 389 is a symbolic resolution designating February 2026 as "Senior Independence Month" in Pennsylvania. It does not create new laws or programs but formally recognizes older adults' contributions and promotes community engagement through existing initiatives. The resolution urges all Pennsylvanians to honor seniors' achievements and support programs that foster independence, health, and social connection. This is a commemorative measure with no direct policy changes or financial impact.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates February 2026 as "Black History Month" in Pennsylvania, symbolically recognizing the century-long observance of African American contributions to the Commonwealth and nation. It directly affects all Pennsylvania residents by formally honoring the historical achievements, resilience, and sacrifices of African Americans, marking the 100th anniversary of the movement founded by Dr. Carter Godwin Woodson. The resolution includes historical context about the origins of Black History Month and Pennsylvania's connections to Black labor and civil rights history, but it has no binding policy effects.

Maddy summaryHB 2123 amends Pennsylvania's adoption laws to require separate legal representation for placing parents (those voluntarily giving up a child for adoption) in adoption proceedings, with strict rules preventing attorneys from representing both placing parents and prospective adoptive parents. The bill mandates that home studies include at least six hours of training on transracial adoption, attachment, and trauma-informed parenting for adoption agencies. It also establishes new regulations for adoption intermediary services (acting as a link between placing and prospective adoptive parents) and advertising, prohibiting payments to placing parents for placement and creating an Adoption Intermediary Services Fund managed by the Department of Human Services. These changes directly affect placing parents, prospective adoptive parents, adoption agencies, and intermediary service providers.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits payment card networks (like Visa or Mastercard) from charging fees based on the full transaction amount that includes Pennsylvania's sales tax. It specifically bans interchange fees that calculate charges using the total amount (including tax) and prevents networks from raising fees to circumvent this rule. Merchants who accept credit/debit cards and payment networks are directly affected, as they can no longer impose these tax-inclusive fees. Violations of these provisions could result in penalties under the new law.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates January 1, 2026, as "Haitian Independence Day" in Pennsylvania. It formally recognizes Haiti's 1804 independence from colonial rule and honors the Haitian Revolution's historical significance, including its impact on Black resistance movements in Pennsylvania. The resolution directly acknowledges Pennsylvania's Haitian community, which numbers over 27,000 residents, and commemorates the legacy of Haiti as the world's first Black Republic. As a symbolic gesture, it does not create new laws or policies.

Maddy summaryHB 1966 proposes amendments to Pennsylvania's judicial statutes to improve cooperation with courts and law enforcement in other states. It would allow Pennsylvania courts to assist out-of-state tribunals with serving legal documents and issuing subpoenas within Pennsylvania, and permit officers from other states to make arrests in Pennsylvania without local warrants. The bill also updates definitions related to detainers and extradition, clarifying the Governor's role in handling fugitives from justice. These changes aim to streamline interstate legal processes for courts, law enforcement, and litigants.

Maddy summaryHB 1643 modifies Pennsylvania law to clarify how courts enforce foreign judgments. It prohibits courts from enforcing foreign judgments related to reproductive health care services, including pregnancy-related care, contraception, or abortion. The bill specifies that such judgments cannot be enforced against providers for services delivered in medical facilities. This change applies to all foreign judgments filed in Pennsylvania courts under the existing enforcement procedures. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 1641 prohibits Pennsylvania medical liability insurers from taking adverse actions against healthcare providers who offer legal reproductive health services, including abortion care via telemedicine, to out-of-state patients. It specifically bans insurers from refusing coverage renewals, raising premiums, or reporting providers solely for providing such services that comply with Pennsylvania law. The law applies to providers prescribing medication to terminate pregnancies for out-of-state patients using telemedicine. This directly affects insurers and healthcare providers serving patients in states with stricter abortion laws, preventing insurance penalties for legal telemedicine care.

Maddy summaryHB 1640 protects patient privacy for reproductive health care records in Pennsylvania. It requires healthcare providers (covered entities) to obtain written permission from patients before sharing records related to permitted reproductive services - such as pregnancy care, contraception, or abortion - except in limited circumstances like court orders, abuse investigations, or legal defense needs. The law explicitly preserves existing confidentiality protections under other state laws, including those for mental health and domestic violence services. It applies directly to patients seeking reproductive health care and the healthcare providers handling their records.