Rep. Tarah Probst

Maddy summaryHB 1669 requires Pennsylvania public schools serving kindergarten through grade five to provide at least 30 minutes of daily supervised, unstructured free-play recess for all students. This means students cannot replace recess with extra classwork, and schools cannot withhold recess as punishment for behavior or missed assignments. The bill mandates that recess occur outdoors when weather and facilities permit, while allowing exceptions based on medical advice or a student's individualized education plan. It defines "free-play recess" as time away from structured learning for physical activity or social play, excluding scheduled physical education classes. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 1666 increases Pennsylvania's minimum property damage liability coverage for auto insurance from $5,000 to $25,000 per accident. It updates definitions and requirements in vehicle insurance law, mandating that insurers offer higher coverage limits for bodily injury ($100,000/$300,000) and property damage, while requiring clear notice to policyholders about available benefits. This affects all drivers purchasing or renewing auto insurance policies in Pennsylvania, as insurers must now provide standardized disclosure of coverage options at application. The changes apply to policies issued or renewed 60 days after the bill's effective date.

Maddy summaryHB 825 amends Pennsylvania's public utilities law to allow utility companies to install "double utility poles" that carry both power lines and communication lines (like fiber optic cables) on the same pole structure. This change directly affects public utility providers regulated under Title 66 by altering their permitted infrastructure options. The key provision modifies the utilities' powers and duties to facilitate this dual-use pole configuration, potentially streamlining infrastructure deployment. Specific impacts on communities, costs, or regulatory details are not described in the provided context.

Maddy summaryHB 1428 amends Pennsylvania's education code to clarify which school-related organizations are considered "governmental entities" for retirement purposes. It specifically adds career and technical education boards to the definition while excluding associations that collect membership dues from public schools under the Public School Code. This change affects new school employees hired after the law takes effect, ensuring those associations are not treated as nonparticipating employers in retirement plans. The bill directly adjusts how retirement benefits are administered for these employees by defining which entities sponsor retirement coverage.

Maddy summaryHB 506 amends Pennsylvania's Human Services Code to establish a state-funded Child Care Staff Recruitment and Retention Program. It directly affects licensed child care providers and their staff by creating a new program to address staffing shortages. The key mechanism provides state funding for recruitment incentives and retention support, such as signing bonuses or professional development, for child care workers. The bill passed final passage on June 25, 2025, and was referred to the Health & Human Services committee.

Maddy summaryHB 1647 makes it a third-degree felony in Pennsylvania to possess, traffic, or import a "child sex doll" - defined as an anatomically correct doll resembling a child under 12 years old and intended for sexual use. The bill creates specific offenses for possessing such dolls, trafficking them (including manufacturing or selling), and importing them into the state, with possession of two or more dolls creating a legal presumption of trafficking intent. It includes an exception for common carriers (like shipping companies) who lack knowledge of the dolls' contents. This law directly affects individuals involved in handling these dolls, imposing criminal penalties without changing existing statutes on child sexual abuse.

Maddy summaryHB 1654 requires Pennsylvania school districts to set identical starting salaries for teachers holding the same grade span State instructional certification and salary step, beginning with the 2026-2027 school year. This applies uniformly across all districts, ensuring teachers with identical qualifications (certification type and experience level) receive the same initial pay regardless of where they are hired. The bill mandates this consistency in new-hire compensation without altering existing salary structures for current employees. It takes effect 60 days after enactment, with the first application for the 2026-2027 school term.

Maddy summaryHB 1653 creates competitive grants to help nonprofit early childhood organizations and public school districts establish or expand child-care centers in rural Pennsylvania counties with low population density (under 291 people per square mile). The grants fund facility costs like construction or renovation, and provide two years of salary supplements to ensure child-care staff earn comparable pay to public school teachers. Recipients must partner with local businesses to cover some child-care fees for employees, aiming to maintain staffing levels after the grant period ends. This bill directly supports rural communities facing childcare shortages by making it financially feasible to open or grow quality early childhood programs.

Maddy summaryHR 254 is a resolution directing the Joint State Government Commission to study the feasibility and costs of burying electrical power lines underground instead of keeping them overhead. It does not change current laws or require immediate action, but mandates the Commission to examine potential benefits like reduced storm damage and aesthetic improvements. The study would provide factual information to inform future legislative decisions about infrastructure investments.

Maddy summaryHB 968 allows active duty military members and disabled veterans to use their home state fishing and hunting licenses in Pennsylvania without purchasing separate Pennsylvania licenses. The bill amends Pennsylvania’s Fish (Title 30) and Game (Title 34) statutes to create reciprocity for annual licenses, directly benefiting these groups when fishing or hunting in the state. Key provisions remove the need for these individuals to pay additional fees for Pennsylvania licenses, streamlining access to outdoor recreation. The bill passed in June 2025 and is now law.