Rep. Tarah Probst

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HR 138) orders Pennsylvania’s Joint State Government Commission to study civic education in the state and develop cost-effective recommendations to improve it. It directly affects Pennsylvania students and schools by requiring an analysis of current civics assessments (under Act 35 of 2018), comparisons with high-performing states, and strategies to strengthen civic education across three pillars: knowledge, skills, and action. The study must include evaluations of existing assessment methods, successful models from other states, and approaches to boost student engagement, with a report due within 18 months. The resolution does not change laws but aims to inform future policy based on evidence.

Maddy summaryHB 966 amends Pennsylvania's Insurance Company Law of 1921 to strengthen consumer protections in health insurance. It requires insurance companies to pay penalties if over 50% of their denied health claims (excluding administrative denials) are later overturned through internal or external review processes. Penalties start at $50,000 for the first overturned claim and increase to $250,000 per claim for subsequent violations. Collected penalties must fund consumer protection activities, in addition to any other existing penalties. This directly affects health insurers operating in Pennsylvania.

Maddy summaryHB 422 creates a new tax deduction for Pennsylvania residents who donate human organs. It allows taxpayers to deduct up to $12,000 annually for unreimbursed expenses directly related to organ donation, including travel, lodging, lost wages, and medical costs. The deduction applies only to the year the transplantation occurred, may be claimed just once in a lifetime, and cannot reduce taxable income below zero. This provision affects organ donors who incur qualifying out-of-pocket costs while living. The change takes effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates April 29, 2025, as "22nd Amendment Day" in Pennsylvania. It commemorates Pennsylvania's ratification of the 22nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution on April 29, 1947, which established presidential term limits. The resolution has no legal effect and serves only as a ceremonial observance. It does not alter any laws or impact any individuals or groups.

Maddy summaryHB 777 requires Pennsylvania public school districts to pay education support professionals (like aides and clerical staff) a minimum hourly wage of $20 or a living wage based on cost-of-living adjustments, starting in the 2025-2026 school year. School districts must make supplemental payments to cover wage gaps for existing contracts below this rate through 2029-2030, with the Department of Labor setting and annually adjusting the living wage using the Consumer Price Index. The Department of Education will reimburse districts for these supplemental payments, adding the reconciled amount to their annual funding allocation. This applies directly to over 500 school districts and their education support staff, ensuring wage standards align with inflation.

Maddy summaryHB 925 creates a new "Safe Path Restricted Account" within Pennsylvania's General Fund, initially funded by a $50 million transfer for fiscal year 2024-2025. The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency will manage these funds to award grants to local governments and nonprofits. These grants will support safe passage programs improving safety for people traveling to and from schools and community centers. Priority for funding will be given to communities with high gun violence rates, as determined by the commission.

Maddy summaryHB 917 repeals Chapter 33 of Pennsylvania's Insurance Code, which previously required insurers offering plans through the state's health insurance exchange to follow specific federal health care law rules regarding abortion coverage. The repealed provisions included a ban on abortion coverage in most plans (except for complications or miscarriage treatment) and an opt-out option for abortion coverage. This bill directly affects insurers and health plans sold through Pennsylvania's health insurance exchange by removing these specific federal compliance requirements. The change eliminates the state's prior restrictions on abortion coverage within qualified health plans.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds a new supplemental monthly annuity to certain Pennsylvania state retirees' benefits, effective July 2025. It applies to retirees receiving superannuation, withdrawal, or disability annuities who retired before July 2, 2001, and do not have specific service credits (like Class D-4 or Class AA). The additional payment amount is a percentage of their July 2025 monthly annuity, ranging from 10% to 20% based on their retirement date. The cost will be funded through equal annual installments over 10 years starting July 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 914 amends Pennsylvania's Landlord and Tenant Act to limit annual rent increases for regulated rental units, directly affecting tenants and landlords in these properties. It establishes an annual rent increase allowance calculated as the lesser of CPI-U plus 3% or 6% of base rent (excluding discounts), effective July 1-June 30 each year. Landlords may not exceed this allowance plus any unused "banked amount" when raising rent on lease renewals or new leases, with a 10% cap on increases. For capital improvements costing 40%+ of a unit's value, landlords can petition courts for additional rent increases to cover actual costs, but only if proven necessary for a "fair return" on investment. The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency administers the annual allowance calculation and public publication.

Maddy summaryHB 933 increases penalties for construction employers who misclassify workers as independent contractors, raising fines to $2,500 for a first violation and $5,000 for subsequent violations. It expands accountability to include general contractors and other parties who knowingly contract with employers that misclassify workers, subjecting them to the same penalties. The bill also adds a three-year ban on public contracts for intentional violators and clarifies that stop-work orders can require construction to halt within 24 hours for intentional misclassification, applying to successor businesses.