Rep. Joe Hohenstein

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Constable William Davidson Reward Fund to provide rewards of up to $50,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of individuals who kill or cause the death of a law enforcement officer in Pennsylvania. It amends the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency Law to authorize the commission to administer the fund and offer these rewards for crimes covered under state murder and criminal homicide statutes targeting officers. The fund, which will be non-lapsing and funded by state appropriations, is intended to encourage public cooperation in solving violent crimes against law enforcement personnel.

Maddy summaryHB 1055 creates a new criminal offense in Pennsylvania for threatening healthcare workers, specifically targeting threats intended to interfere with their duties. It defines the crime as knowingly making oral/written threats against healthcare practitioners, technicians, or hospital security officers, with penalties escalating from a minor violation for a first offense to a third-degree misdemeanor for repeat offenses. The law requires healthcare facilities to post clear notices about this offense at all public entrances, and a person cannot be convicted if the notice wasn’t displayed (unless they knew about the offense). This bill directly affects anyone making threats against covered healthcare workers in Pennsylvania, aiming to protect them from intimidation during work.

Maddy summaryHB 988 creates the Jayanna Powell Hit-and-Run Direct Notification System to help identify drivers who flee the scene of accidents causing serious injury or death. The bill requires all motor vehicle repair facilities (like garages and shops) to register with the state and report any vehicle matching details provided through the system after a qualifying accident. Law enforcement must directly notify repair facilities via the system with vehicle details including make, model, color, license plate, and damage. Failure to report a matching vehicle is punishable as a misdemeanor. This bill directly affects repair businesses across Pennsylvania, mandating new reporting duties to aid investigations.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a three-year pilot program (starting 2026-2027) within Pennsylvania public schools to teach students about the political, economic, and social contributions of LGBTQ+ individuals. School districts, charter schools, and nonpublic schools may apply to participate by submitting proposals to the Department of Education by May 15, 2026. The Department must develop guidelines by March 15, 2026 in consultation with LGBTQ+ organizations and prioritize curricula from groups with at least 50% LGBTQ+ leadership. Participating schools must submit annual reports on implementation, and the Department will contract an independent evaluation to assess the program's effectiveness, with results published online.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates March 2025 as "Women's History Month" in Pennsylvania. It is a ceremonial measure with no binding policy changes, funding, or new programs. The resolution invites all Pennsylvanians to reflect on women's contributions to the state's and nation's economic, cultural, and social development. It does not affect specific groups or create legal obligations, as it is purely symbolic recognition.

Maddy summaryHB 877 modifies Pennsylvania's Job Enhancement Act to create financial support for businesses significantly harmed by the January 31, 2025, air ambulance crash in Philadelphia. It establishes two programs: grants to community groups for technical assistance and training to affected businesses, and loans to those groups to fund direct loans to impacted businesses. The bill requires the administering authority to report to legislative committees within 180 days of implementation, detailing funds used and businesses served. Additionally, it mandates a study on best practices for small business recovery after emergencies, to be completed within 180 days. The programs expire five years after the bill's effective date.

Maddy summaryHB 1044 allows authorized entities like schools, childcare centers, or sports organizations to stock and use epinephrine delivery systems (e.g., auto-injectors) without requiring individual prescriptions for each person. It permits these entities to acquire devices under a single prescription from a healthcare provider, store them accessibly per FDA guidelines, and train designated staff to recognize anaphylaxis and administer the devices. Staff who complete approved training can use the devices in good faith for anyone showing signs of a severe allergic reaction, regardless of prior diagnosis or prescription. The bill also includes protections for individuals acting in good faith during emergencies.

Maddy summaryHB 535 bans Pennsylvania health insurers from setting annual or lifetime dollar limits on core health benefits for enrollees, whether services are provided by in-network or out-of-network providers. It applies to all individual and group health insurance policies (excluding specific types like Medicare supplements or dental/vision-only plans) and prohibits limits on benefits that were already covered without such caps in 2025 policies. The Insurance Department can enforce this through fines up to $5,000 per violation (or $10,000 for willful violations), with annual caps of $500,000 for insurers. The law does not require coverage of specific benefits but eliminates existing dollar limit practices for covered services.

Maddy summaryHB 618, the Health Insurance Access Protection Act, prohibits health insurers from denying coverage or charging higher premiums based on a person's health condition, including preexisting conditions. This law applies to both individual and group health insurance policies, protecting enrollees and their dependents from discrimination in enrollment or pricing. The Insurance Department and Commissioner are tasked with enforcing these rules, and the bill includes penalties for insurers that violate the prohibitions.

Maddy summaryHB 755 requires health insurers in Pennsylvania (excluding grandfathered plans) to cover all preventive health services listed by the Insurance Department without cost-sharing, such as copays or deductibles. This directly affects insurers who must comply with the coverage rules and enrollees who gain access to preventive care like vaccinations and screenings at no extra cost. The bill empowers the Insurance Department to create and update the preventive services list through a public comment process (15+ business days) and enforce compliance with penalties for violations. It aligns with federal preventive care standards but allows Pennsylvania to adjust the list based on public input and evidence-based guidelines.