Rep. Joe Hohenstein

Maddy summaryHB 942 amends Pennsylvania's Game Commission law to change how full-time enforcement officers are paid. It requires that all full-time officers whose duty is to enforce game laws be classified for compensation "in the same manner as members of the Pennsylvania State Police." This change directly affects Game Commission enforcement officers by aligning their pay structure with State Police standards. The bill applies to compensation earned on or after its effective date, 60 days after enactment. (1-2 sentences as it's a procedural pay classification change.)

Maddy summaryHB 936 modifies Pennsylvania's child care subsidy program by reducing copayments for parents who work in the child care field. It requires that families where a parent or caretaker is employed as a child-care worker or direct support professional (in either family child-care homes or licensed centers) pay no more than 15% of their annual income for subsidized care, regardless of their income level. This change applies to all qualifying child care settings defined in the bill, including family child-care homes (serving 4-6 unrelated children) and centers (serving 7+ children). The policy aims to lower financial barriers for child care workers seeking subsidized care for their own children.

Maddy summaryHB 924 amends Pennsylvania's Public Utility Code to establish internet neutrality protections for residents. It prohibits internet service providers (ISPs) from blocking lawful content, impairing traffic based on content, engaging in paid prioritization, or using deceptive marketing practices. The bill defines key terms like "broadband Internet access service" and requires ISPs to clearly disclose service details to customers. The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission will enforce these rules, and violations would be considered unfair trade practices under existing consumer protection law. This applies to all ISPs operating broadband services in Pennsylvania, directly affecting how they manage internet traffic for consumers.

Maddy summaryHB 922 requires health insurance plans in Pennsylvania to cover fertility preservation services, such as freezing eggs, sperm, or embryos, without cost-sharing (like deductibles or copays). This applies to individuals under 45 at risk of infertility due to medical treatments (e.g., cancer therapy), including covered spouses and dependents. The bill mandates coverage for specific services like storage, consultations, embryo transfers, and related diagnostics, while prohibiting preexisting condition exclusions or arbitrary limits on coverage. It also requires storage coverage for five years (or until age 18 for minors) and aligns with medical guidelines from the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's driver's license requirements by allowing the inclusion of personal medical data and other emergency-use information on licenses. It also permits the use of substitute addresses for participants in the state's Address Confidentiality Program, which protects victims of domestic and sexual violence. The legislation maintains that Social Security numbers will be required on applications but will not appear on the actual license, while keeping other standard identification details like name, date of birth, and photograph. The changes would take effect 60 days after the bill is enacted.

Maddy summaryHB 887 prevents Pennsylvania counties and municipalities from regulating the ownership, possession, transfer, or transportation of firearms, ammunition, or components - except when on property they own, operate, or maintain (like buildings, parks, or vehicles). It repeals a current law (Title 53 § 2962(g)) that banned local governments from creating firearm regulations. The bill directly affects all local governments by limiting their authority to enact firearm-related ordinances. This change takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 899 requires Pennsylvania employers to provide workers with paid sick leave for their own health needs or to care for family members. Employees earn one hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours worked, with a minimum annual accrual of 40 hours. The law prohibits employers from retaliating against workers who use this leave and mandates clear posting of rights. It covers most private-sector employees (excluding federal workers) and applies to all employers with 15+ employees in Pennsylvania, effective upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates March 18, 2025, as "National Transit Worker Appreciation Day" in Pennsylvania. It recognizes the work of approximately 16,800 public transit employees (including bus/train operators, drivers, and maintenance staff) who support over 237 million annual trips for Pennsylvania residents. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but encourages the public to thank transit workers for their role in connecting communities to jobs, healthcare, and education. It specifically highlights concerns about safety risks transit workers face, including recent incidents of violence. The resolution is symbolic and non-binding, limited to Pennsylvania's House of Representatives.

Maddy summaryHB 878 amends Pennsylvania's DUI laws to clarify that using medical marijuana legally under the Medical Marijuana Act is not a defense for driving under the influence, except for commercial drivers. It directly affects medical marijuana patients who drive non-commercial vehicles by allowing their legal medical use to be raised as a defense in DUI cases. The bill adds "medical marijuana" to statutory definitions and modifies Section 3802(h) to explicitly state this use is a defense, while Section 3810 confirms authorized medical use isn't a defense unless specified in the new exception. This change does not alter DUI laws for alcohol or other controlled substances, only clarifies the medical marijuana exception. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 833 proposes a constitutional amendment to add a 4% tax on Pennsylvania residents with annual taxable income exceeding $1 million. This tax would apply only to income above the $1 million threshold, directly affecting high-income earners in the state. The amendment includes an annual cost-of-living adjustment for the income threshold, aligning it with federal tax bracket methodology. This is a policy change to the state constitution, not an immediate law, requiring approval through the constitutional amendment process.