Rep. Tarah Probst

Maddy summaryHR 83 is a resolution directing Pennsylvania's Joint State Government Commission to study how to require sustainable building materials in state-funded and private construction projects. The study will examine feasible methods, implementation criteria, and projected cost impacts (both savings and increases) for expanding such requirements. The Commission must submit a report to relevant House committees within 180 days of the resolution's adoption. This resolution does not create new requirements but seeks to inform future policy decisions.

Maddy summaryHB 636 amends Pennsylvania's disabled veterans' real estate tax exemption law by extending the review period for exemption eligibility from every five years to every ten years. The bill requires the Pennsylvania Veterans' Commission to reassess applicants' economic status at least once every decade to determine if they still qualify for the exemption. This change directly affects disabled veterans currently receiving the tax exemption, as it delays the periodic review of their eligibility. The key provision modifies Section 8904(3) of Title 51 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, shifting the review cycle without altering the exemption's eligibility criteria or benefits. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 683 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to set specific student-to-teacher ratio limits for public school classes. It requires superintendents to maintain ratios of 24:1 (max 29 students) in kindergarten, 24:1 (max 30 students) in grades 1-3, 25:1 (max 35 students) in grades 4-6, and 24:1 (max 35 students) in grades 7-12. If ratios exceed these limits, superintendents must notify parents within 10 days and submit a reduction plan to the Department of Education within 30 days. The bill directly affects Pennsylvania public school districts and their superintendents, with exemptions for specialized classes like music or physical education.

Maddy summaryHB 641 requires individuals convicted of a "crime of violence" (as defined in the bill) and sentenced under Pennsylvania's second or subsequent offense provisions to serve 70% of their maximum sentence before becoming eligible for parole. This applies to serious offenses including murder, aggravated assault, sexual assault, robbery, and drug-related crimes resulting in death. The bill does not change the actual sentence length but modifies parole eligibility for repeat offenders in these categories. It affects only those convicted of specific violent crimes under the defined second or subsequent offense rules.

Maddy summaryHB 672 requires Pennsylvania health insurers to cover prescribed early allergen introduction dietary supplements for infants under one year old, specifically those containing safe, well-cooked egg or peanut protein to help reduce food allergy risk. Insurers must provide this coverage at no additional cost to consumers, including no deductibles, copays, or coinsurance. The law applies to most health insurance policies (excluding specialized plans like dental or workers' compensation) and mandates coverage for supplements prescribed by licensed healthcare providers. It directly affects infants at risk of food allergies, particularly addressing health disparities noted in the bill (e.g., higher allergy rates among Black children). The policy changes are effective 60 days after enactment, with no cost-sharing for these specific supplements.

Maddy summaryHB 656 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to allow trained school staff to administer emergency anti-seizure medication during seizures when a nurse is unavailable. It directly affects students with epilepsy in public schools who have been prescribed such medication, requiring parental request and adherence to approved training guidelines. The bill establishes that non-nurse staff may provide emergency assistance only after completing designated training and following protocols approved by the Department of Education. It specifies that nasal spray or similar FDA-approved treatments may be used, while ensuring students' rights under disability laws like IDEA and the Rehabilitation Act are upheld. The policy change is voluntary for staff and requires schools to notify parents about potential accommodations under 504 plans or IEPs.

Maddy summaryHB 654 amends Pennsylvania's State Lottery Law to expand access to the Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract for the Elderly Needs Enhancement Tier (PACENET). It raises the income eligibility thresholds for seniors: single individuals with annual incomes between $14,500 and $45,000, and married couples with combined incomes between $17,700 and $55,000, will now qualify. The bill also allows applicants to round income amounts to the nearest whole dollar when reporting. This change directly affects Pennsylvania seniors who rely on PACENET for subsidized prescription drugs by making the program available to more low-to-moderate-income elderly residents.

Maddy summaryHB 77 updates Pennsylvania's food protection laws to align with the 2022 FDA Food Code. It requires retail food facilities (like restaurants and grocery stores) to prominently display employee allergy awareness posters detailing major allergens and symptoms, and to include allergen information on menus or written materials for customers. The bill also revises definitions of "potentially hazardous food" and mandates that the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture adopt the FDA Food Code standards, with updates published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 592 amends Pennsylvania law to require that full-time waterways conservation officers (who enforce fishing and boating regulations) be paid at the same scale as Pennsylvania State Police officers. The bill directly affects these conservation officers by changing their compensation classification under the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. It specifies that their pay must align with State Police classifications, rather than existing commission pay scales. The change applies to compensation earned 60 days after the bill's effective date. This is a procedural pay adjustment, not a change to enforcement duties or waterway regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 588 amends Pennsylvania's Professional Nursing Law to require registered nurses and licensed practical nurses to complete one hour of mandatory continuing education focused on older adult abuse recognition and reporting during each biennial license renewal period. This requirement applies to all license renewals (except initial licensure) and includes specific documentation rules, such as retaining certificates for five years and submitting them upon request. Failure to complete this hour may delay license renewal, trigger disciplinary action under existing penalties, or require remediation within six months. The bill directly affects nursing license holders in Pennsylvania seeking renewal, reinstatement, or reactivation of their licenses.