Rep. José Giral

Maddy summaryHB 275 establishes the Pennsylvania Affordable Homeownership Subsidy Program to help low-to-moderate-income households buy homes. It provides grants (capped at $125,000 per county applicant) for specific projects like homebuyer assistance, property acquisition, and homeownership education, targeting households earning 60%-120% of the area median income (as defined by HUD). The Department of Community and Economic Development will administer the program, set application guidelines, and submit annual reports to the General Assembly on program outcomes. The bill requires sufficient state funding to activate the program, with an effective date 180 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 215 requires every public school in Pennsylvania to employ at least one certified professional librarian. The bill amends the Public School Code of 1949 to mandate that each school must have a librarian certified under Pennsylvania law (24 Pa.C.S. § 9319). This directly affects all public schools statewide by establishing a new staffing requirement for library professionals. The provision takes effect 60 days after the bill is enacted, with no exemptions specified. The change applies uniformly to all public schools, regardless of size or location.

Maddy summaryHB 272 establishes a grant program to help Pennsylvania municipalities and emergency service facilities (like fire stations, police departments, and ambulance services) install solar energy systems. The Department of Environmental Protection will administer the program, awarding competitive grants to cover eligible costs such as solar equipment, installation, permits, and site assessments. Applicants must submit a site assessment and verify contractors meet licensing, safety, and legal requirements through an affidavit. The program also requires the department to provide technical assistance and educational resources about solar energy projects.

Maddy summaryHB 204 amends Pennsylvania's Election Code to require temporary workers processing ballots at central tabulation centers to take an oath promising faithful performance of their duties. It also specifies that compensation paid to these temporary workers is not considered taxable income under Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code. The bill directly affects county election boards and temporary election workers handling ballot processing. This change modifies administrative procedures for election tabulation centers without altering voting methods or election results.

Maddy summaryHB 206 amends Pennsylvania's Local Tax Enabling Act to clarify the definition of "earned income" for local income tax purposes. It specifies that employee business expenses reported to the Department of Revenue under the Tax Reform Code can be deducted when calculating earned income, while explicitly excluding military wages (and spouses living outside PA), business loss offsets, and clergy housing allowances. This change directly affects Pennsylvania residents paying local income taxes, particularly those in the excluded categories. The bill modifies how local governments calculate taxable income but does not create new taxes or alter tax rates. (Bill: HB 206, Section 501 amendment)

Maddy summaryHB 203 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to require public schools to close on Veterans' Day, adding it to the list of fixed holidays (alongside Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, and Christmas) when schools must be closed. It also allows school districts to designate up to five additional local holidays for closures and permits canceling these holidays during weather emergencies. The bill further mandates that schools hold special exercises on Veterans' Day as part of required observances. These changes apply directly to all public schools in Pennsylvania, affecting school calendars and holiday closures.

Maddy summaryHB 210 requires businesses (such as restaurants, hotels, and retail stores) to post signs in visible restroom locations - including stalls, mirrors, and above hand dryers - with the National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline number (1-888-373-7888) and a statement about legal protections for trafficking victims. The signs must be at least 8.5x11 inches, feature the hotline number in bold and large font, and be available in English, Spanish, and any other language required by the Voting Rights Act in the business's county. The Department of Labor and Industry will design and provide the sign template online for businesses to print. This law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 207 amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code to clarify the definition of "compensation" for personal income tax purposes, specifically adding an exception for certain military and emergency-related income. The bill explicitly excludes income earned by active-duty U.S. military members (including their spouses living outside Pennsylvania) and income from active state emergency duty under Pennsylvania's emergency management laws. This change directly affects Pennsylvania taxpayers who receive such income, ensuring it is not taxed as regular compensation. The amendment becomes effective 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 202 amends Pennsylvania's Game Commission structure by adjusting the geographic districts for appointing commission members and reducing the required quorum for meetings from six to five members. The bill reorganizes counties into nine districts (e.g., adding Pike County to the seventh district and adjusting the ninth district's county list) to ensure balanced regional representation. These changes directly affect the Pennsylvania Game Commission's operations, making it easier to conduct meetings and maintain committee representation. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill strengthens mental health support for emergency responders in Pennsylvania. It creates new confidentiality protections, prohibiting peer support staff, healthcare providers, or helplines from sharing an emergency responder's mental health information without consent (except in clear danger situations). Specifically for 911 dispatchers, it requires employers to provide free mental health evaluations for PTSD symptoms upon the dispatcher's request or a supervisor's recommendation. If symptoms are identified, the employer must cover treatment until a provider determines the dispatcher can return to full duties, with administrative duty assigned during this period.