Rep. Tarah Probst

Maddy summaryHB 1899 amends the Right-to-Know Law to update the procedures for when government records can be withheld from public access. It adds new specific categories of records that may be kept private, such as certain sensitive operational details or security-related information. This directly affects citizens requesting public records and government agencies handling those requests by clarifying which documents can be exempted. The bill focuses on refining the legal process for exceptions without changing the core public access principles of the existing law.

Maddy summaryHB 1907 amends the state's Right-to-Know Law, which governs public access to government records. The bill updates procedures for record requests by adding specific exceptions that allow agencies to withhold certain information and by limiting fees charged for records during court disputes over access. These changes directly impact citizens seeking government information and the agencies responsible for managing public records.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a constitutional amendment proposal concerning election procedures for Pennsylvania state government positions. It aims to establish rules for filling vacancies in elected offices, though the specific provisions are not detailed in the provided context. As a procedural resolution, it does not directly affect voters or officials but would require voter approval if passed by the legislature. The bill was recently referred to the State Government committee for consideration.

Maddy summaryHB 1903 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to update the Safe2Say Program, a school safety reporting system, by clarifying definitions and enhancing program requirements. It also adds new requirements for colleges and universities, mandating they establish written policies addressing sexual harassment and sexual violence, along with implementing an online reporting system for incidents. The bill directly affects public schools and postsecondary institutions by changing how they handle safety reporting and campus conduct policies. Key provisions include standardizing definitions for consistency and requiring institutions to provide accessible online reporting tools for students. These changes aim to improve clarity and accessibility in addressing safety and harassment concerns across educational settings.

Maddy summaryHB 1904 would amend Pennsylvania's sentencing laws to specifically address hate-based intimidation, which occurs when someone intimidates another person due to their race, religion, sexual orientation, or other personal characteristics. The bill requires courts to consider community impact statements during sentencing, which are written accounts from community members about how the crime affected the broader community. This change would directly affect judges, courts handling such cases, and the communities impacted by bias-motivated intimidation offenses.

Maddy summaryHB 363 designates Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Eid al-Fitr, and Eid al-Adha as official observances within the Commonwealth. The bill requires state agencies to recognize these dates annually for purposes of ceremonial observance, such as public acknowledgments or non-binding acknowledgments in government communications. It directly affects state government operations by mandating this recognition but does not create new legal holidays or alter work schedules. The bill is procedural in nature, focusing solely on formal acknowledgment of these religious observances.

Maddy summaryHB 1887 creates a new Safe Communities Grant Program and a dedicated fund under Pennsylvania law to support community safety initiatives. The bill establishes the program within Title 35 (Health and Safety) statutes and assigns responsibilities to the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) for administering the grants. Local governments, community organizations, or other eligible entities would directly receive funding through this program to address specific safety needs. The key mechanism is the creation of a state-administered grant program with dedicated funding, rather than changing existing laws or policies. The bill is currently in the Judiciary committee for review.

Maddy summaryHB 1886 (An Act amending Title 12 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in miscellaneous provisions, providing for bag usage) proposes changes to regulations governing retail bag use in Pennsylvania. The bill would directly affect retailers and consumers by modifying requirements or fees related to plastic, paper, or reusable bags. It is currently referred to the Environmental & Natural Resource Protection committee, indicating its focus on waste reduction or environmental impact. Specific provisions like bag fees, material restrictions, or retailer obligations are not detailed in the provided context. This summary is based solely on the bill's title and referral, without additional legislative details.

Maddy summaryHB 1892 amends Pennsylvania's 1968 Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law to update definitions, clarify unlawful acts or practices, and adjust exclusions. It directly affects businesses operating in Pennsylvania and consumers who may encounter unfair trade practices. The bill focuses on refining the legal framework for consumer protection without specifying new penalties or enforcement mechanisms. The bill was recently referred to the Consumer Protection, Technology & Utilities committee for review. (Note: Specific new provisions are not detailed in the provided context.)

Maddy summaryHR 320 is a procedural resolution directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to study how the Department of Transportation manages and implements modernization practices. It requires the committee to produce a report on the current status of these practices within the DOT. This resolution does not create new laws or directly affect citizens; it only initiates a study to assess existing DOT operations. The committee will examine current methods for updating transportation systems, infrastructure, and technology. The bill was referred to the Transportation committee on September 22, 2025.