Rep. Kristin Marcell

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House Resolution formally designates the week of October 4 through 10, 2026, as "Fire Prevention Week" in the state. The bill highlights specific fire risks associated with electronic devices, such as overheating power banks and damaged chargers, while emphasizing the importance of proper battery disposal and working smoke alarms. It urges residents, landlords, and businesses to adopt safety practices recommended by the National Fire Protection Association to reduce home fire hazards. Additionally, the resolution commends firefighters and other first responders for their ongoing efforts in fire prevention and emergency response.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House Resolution designates September 2026 as Alopecia Areata Awareness Month to promote public education about the autoimmune condition. The bill highlights that alopecia areata causes hair loss in up to seven million Americans and notes that while there is no known cure, hair often regrows because the follicles are not destroyed. It encourages residents of the Commonwealth to learn more about the disease to help reduce the stigma associated with hair loss.

Maddy summaryPennsylvania House Bill 2737 amends the state's Public School Code to require annual reporting on student wait lists for career and technical education programs. The bill mandates that area career and technical boards submit data on the number of students waiting for enrollment in specific programs to the Department of Education by July 1 each year. Additionally, it requires the Secretary of Education to report this wait list information, broken down by program, to the state legislature's standing education committees annually.

Maddy summaryPennsylvania House Bill 2735 updates the Public School Code of 1949 to restrict school districts from increasing real property taxes unless their projected ending fund balances meet specific limits. The bill establishes a sliding scale where larger districts with higher total budgeted expenditures must maintain lower percentages of committed, assigned, and unassigned funds compared to smaller districts. To ensure compliance, each district that approves a tax increase must submit certification data to the Department of Education by August 15 of each year starting in 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 2124 establishes a "transfer on death deed" process in Pennsylvania, allowing property owners to directly transfer real estate to named beneficiaries upon their death without probate. The bill enables owners to create a legally binding deed (requiring only county recording before death) that automatically transfers property to designated beneficiaries, with no need for beneficiary acceptance or payment during the owner's lifetime. Owners retain full control to revoke or modify the deed anytime before death, using the same legal capacity required for making a will. This applies to all Pennsylvania property owners seeking to simplify post-death property transfers for homes, land, or other real estate, avoiding court involvement in estate administration.

Maddy summaryPennsylvania House Bill 2731 directs the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs to work with the Department of General Services to procure opioid antagonists through a competitive process. The bill mandates that cost-effectiveness must account for at least 90% of the decision-making weight, while also considering product efficacy, availability, brand type, and shelf life. Additionally, it requires the department to submit an annual report on the procurement strategy and vendor selection to legislative committee leaders starting in 2028.

Maddy summaryPennsylvania House Bill 2727 authorizes local governments to offer a voluntary property tax freeze for seniors who are at least 65 years old, have lived in the state for five or more years, and meet specific income limits. Eligible homeowners can keep their real estate taxes fixed at the amount paid during a designated base year, provided they continue to meet financial criteria that are adjusted annually for inflation. The tax freeze applies only to a primary residence and transfers if the owner moves within the same local jurisdiction, but it ends when the property is sold or transferred. The state Department of Community and Economic Development will oversee the program by creating a standardized application form and publishing annual reports on its performance and cost savings.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution that designates June 12, 2026, as "Women Veterans Day" in Pennsylvania to honor the contributions of female military service members. The measure does not create new laws or change any government policies; instead, it serves to formally acknowledge the state's approximately 70,000 women veterans and highlight their growing presence in the armed forces. The text includes background information on the history of women in the military and notes specific challenges they face, such as higher rates of military sexual trauma and lower utilization of veteran benefits. Ultimately, the resolution aims to raise awareness about these issues rather than implementing concrete programs or funding changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HB 2024) requires Pennsylvania's Office of the Deputy Adjutant General for Veterans' Affairs to create a mandatory training program for county veterans affairs directors. The program must cover specific topics like trauma-informed care, military sexual trauma, PTSD, and traumatic brain injury, developed in collaboration with the State Association of County Directors of Veterans Affairs. It directly affects county-level veterans' service staff who assist veterans across Pennsylvania. The training program becomes effective 180 days after the bill's passage.