Rep. Tarah Probst

Maddy summaryHB 1107 establishes Pennsylvania's Adult-use Cannabis Program, legalizing cannabis for personal use by residents aged 21 and older. The bill creates a permit system for "farmer-growers" to cultivate, process, and dispense cannabis under strict rules, including limits on facility size (max 10 acres), security requirements, and regional zoning considerations. It requires farmer-growers to maintain inventory tracking, report operational changes, and pay fees, while imposing a tax on adult-use cannabis sales. The Department of Health is tasked with administering the program, enforcing regulations, and overseeing permits, directly affecting consumers, licensed businesses, and state regulatory operations.

Maddy summaryHB 1109 would establish a legal process for "compassionate aid in dying" in Pennsylvania, allowing terminally ill adults to request medication to end their life under strict safeguards. To qualify, patients must be 18 or older, under the care of a healthcare provider, have a terminal illness confirmed by a consulting provider, and be deemed capable of making an informed decision after counseling. The process requires a written request, a waiting period, and detailed documentation to ensure the decision is voluntary and informed, while protecting healthcare providers from forced participation. Violations of the law would be subject to penalties as outlined in the bill.

Maddy summaryHB 1150 raises Pennsylvania's minimum wage to $15 per hour starting January 1, 2026, with annual increases thereafter. It also establishes a phased timeline for tipped employees: requiring higher base cash wages starting in 2025 (e.g., $5.00/hour after June 2025) and mandating that by July 1, 2029, employers must pay the full minimum wage without relying on tips. The bill ensures all tips received by employees remain their property and cannot be used by employers to meet minimum wage requirements. This directly affects most private-sector employers and tipped workers in Pennsylvania, particularly in hospitality and service industries.

Maddy summaryHB 1086 prohibits the government from taking land or property used for cemeteries, burying grounds, or places of public worship - including land owned by religious or cemetery institutions but not currently used for those purposes - through eminent domain under Pennsylvania's current laws. The bill directly affects property owners and institutions operating cemeteries or places of worship by adding a legal barrier to government acquisition. It amends Title 16 of Pennsylvania law to explicitly restrict eminent domain actions targeting these specific properties, with no exception provided in the cited text. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 1081 imposes a temporary ban on cyber charter schools and their management companies from buying, leasing, or owning new property. The ban takes effect 60 days after the bill becomes law and does not apply to property already owned or acquired before that date. This policy directly affects cyber charter schools and the educational management service providers that operate them, restricting their ability to expand physical facilities through new property transactions. The bill does not impact existing buildings or operations of these schools.

Maddy summaryHB 1087 establishes Pennsylvania's Active Volunteer First Responder Education Tax Credit Program under the Tax Reform Code of 1971. It allows businesses to claim a tax credit for donating to eligible schools, with funds used to provide scholarships for certified volunteer firefighters and emergency medical services workers. To qualify, applicants must be Pennsylvania residents, certified volunteers with at least one year of service, enrolled in approved educational programs at participating institutions, and provide proof of membership from their agency. The Department of Community and Economic Development administers the program, requiring eligible schools to submit accreditation details and ensuring donations directly fund tuition and school-related fees for qualifying students. This program directly affects volunteer first responders seeking higher education and businesses contributing to their scholarships.

Maddy summaryHB 1078 updates Pennsylvania's school health requirements to strengthen vision screening and eye health examinations for students. It mandates annual vision screenings by trained school personnel for all school-aged children, with comprehensive eye exams by licensed professionals required if screenings fail. The bill specifies that students must receive eye health exams upon school admission, in fourth grade, and eighth grade, and adds requirements for exams related to special education evaluations. Schools must notify parents of failed screenings and provide resources, but are not responsible for covering exam costs or treatment. This directly affects all public and nonpublic school students in Pennsylvania.

Maddy summaryHB 1070 requires all health insurance policies covering maternity benefits in Pennsylvania to provide 24 additional hours of elective postpartum observation and care beyond the existing 48-96 hours of inpatient coverage, starting January 1, 2026. It also prohibits hospitals from involuntarily discharging postpartum patients or newborns between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m., with billing under "observation status" if discharge is refused. The bill directly affects mothers, newborns, hospitals, and health insurers by extending coverage duration and restricting nighttime discharges. The Department of Human Services must seek a federal waiver to extend government program coverage for this additional 24-hour period.

Maddy summaryHR 150 is a Pennsylvania House resolution designating April 11-17, 2025, as "Black Maternal Health Week" to highlight the disproportionate maternal health disparities affecting Black women and birthing persons in the state. It references Pennsylvania data showing Black women face maternal mortality rates twice as high as White women (148 vs. 74 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2020) and higher morbidity rates. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but aims to raise public awareness about preventable maternal health outcomes. It specifically targets state-level attention to this crisis, citing local statistics from Philadelphia and Allegheny Counties. As a symbolic resolution, it has no binding effect but seeks to spur broader discussion and action.

Maddy summaryHB 1110 requires Pennsylvania's Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to implement a public awareness campaign about military sexual trauma (defined as sexual assault or harassment during military service). The campaign must promote survivor acceptance, encourage active military members to report incidents, and provide information about available support resources. The department must design accessible materials (multilingual, mobile-friendly, and culturally appropriate) for its website, consult with advocacy groups and veterans with lived experience, and submit detailed reports within 180 days and one year of implementation. This bill directly affects active military members, veterans, and the public by improving access to trauma support and raising community awareness.