Rep. Joe Hohenstein

Maddy summaryHB 1550 would allow Pennsylvania inmates to receive parole based on advanced age or serious medical conditions. It would amend state law to create two new pathways for parole eligibility under specific circumstances, changing the current criteria used by the Board of Probation and Parole. The bill directly affects incarcerated individuals who meet these age or medical criteria, rather than the general public. The key mechanism is updating statutory language to expand the board's authority to grant parole in these cases.

Maddy summaryHB 1543 amends Pennsylvania's Child Labor Act to permit minors aged 15 and older to work in specific nonprofit culinary programs. It directly affects minors participating in educational programs run by 501(c)(3) nonprofits in certain cities or counties, designed to support at-risk youth involved with the criminal justice system. The bill allows these minors to perform food service duties like serving food and clearing tables, but explicitly prohibits them from dispensing or serving alcoholic beverages. The amendment takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 1542 amends Pennsylvania's Liquor Code to clarify and expand rules about minors working in licensed alcohol-serving establishments. It directly affects hotels, restaurants, clubs, and retail liquor licensees by restricting when minors can work near alcohol. Key provisions allow minors aged 16-18 to serve food or clear tables (but not alcohol), permit 14-15-year-olds at ski resorts/golf courses in non-alcohol areas, and let specific nonprofits serving juvenile offenders employ 15-18-year-olds for food service. The bill also requires written notice for student art performances involving minors.

Maddy summaryThis is a commemorative resolution (not a policy bill) designating June 22-28, 2025, as "Women Firefighters and EMS Workers Week" in Pennsylvania. It symbolically recognizes women’s contributions to firefighting and emergency medical services, highlighting their historical roles, current workforce participation (9% of firefighters, 31% of EMS workers nationally), and ongoing efforts to address barriers in these fields. The resolution has no binding policy changes or funding; it solely serves to honor these professionals through a designated week of recognition. It was referred to the Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness committee on June 3, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 282 amends Pennsylvania's Human Services Code (1967) to clarify eligibility rules for individuals receiving medical assistance under public assistance programs. The bill directly affects current and prospective recipients of medical assistance, ensuring consistent application of qualification standards. Key provisions update how eligibility is determined for medical assistance, though specific changes are not detailed in the provided context. The bill passed the House on June 3, 2025, and was referred to the Health & Human Services committee for further review.

Maddy summaryHB 1096 creates the Pennsylvania Food Bucks Program, which provides financial assistance to low-income residents for purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables at participating retailers. The bill establishes a dedicated "Pennsylvania Food Bucks Program Account" within the state treasury to fund the program and requires the state to conduct research on the program's effectiveness. It directly affects eligible low-income Pennsylvanians and participating farmers and retailers by expanding access to healthy food options. The law, which passed on June 3, 2025, focuses on concrete policy changes: creating the program structure, securing funding through the new account, and mandating program evaluation.

Maddy summaryHB 1140 requires health insurers and Medicaid/CHIP managed care plans in Pennsylvania to cover all FDA-approved contraceptives - including prescription drugs, devices, emergency contraception (like levonorgestrel), and oral contraceptives - without any out-of-pocket costs for enrollees. It specifically prohibits prior authorization or step therapy for emergency and oral contraceptives, and mandates coverage for sterilization procedures and related services like counseling. The bill directly affects health insurers, managed care plans, and their enrollees by expanding contraceptive coverage under state insurance regulations. It exempts male condoms from coverage requirements but ensures no cost-sharing for covered contraceptive methods.

Maddy summaryHB 180 replaces Pennsylvania’s existing school lunch and breakfast reimbursement system with a new Universal School Meal Program, ensuring all public school students in the state can receive free meals regardless of family income or unpaid meal debt. The bill requires school districts to provide meals to any student who requests one (unless parents specifically withhold consent in writing) and prohibits schools from stigmatizing students with meal debt through wristbands, public identification, or denying activities like sports or graduation. It bans collecting fees, interest, or using collections agencies for unpaid meal costs, and mandates schools help families apply for assistance instead of pursuing debt. This directly affects over 1.5 million Pennsylvania public school students and their school districts, shifting from a means-tested system to universal access.

Maddy summaryHR 143 is a non-binding resolution designating March 18, 2025, as "Public Defender Day" in Pennsylvania. It symbolically honors public defenders' work but does not create new laws, impose costs, or directly affect any individuals or entities. The resolution was referred to the Judiciary Committee, amended, and ultimately laid on the table (stalled) on May 30, 2025, meaning it did not advance further. This is a ceremonial measure with no substantive policy impact.

Maddy summaryHB 1524 amends the Public Transportation Assistance Fund provisions within Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code of 1971. The bill revises how funds are managed or allocated for public transportation programs, directly affecting state transportation agencies and public transit providers receiving these funds. It modifies specific sections of the existing tax code governing this dedicated fund. The bill was recently referred to the Transportation committee for further consideration. (3 sentences)