Rep. Roni Green

Maddy summaryThis resolution urges Pennsylvania's Department of Agriculture and Department of Education to jointly conduct a statewide study of school cafeteria services across all school districts. The study would establish meal quality standards (including portion sizes and vegetarian/vegan options by grade level), compare current meals to those standards, analyze preparation and student meal costs, and recommend legislative actions to improve nutrition. It requires the departments to issue a public report with findings and recommendations within one year. The resolution directly affects all Pennsylvania public school districts by initiating a formal review of meal services and costs.

Maddy summaryHB 637 establishes Pennsylvania's Youth Summer Employment Grant Program, administered by the Department of Labor and Industry. The program provides grants to eligible employers (including businesses, nonprofits, and municipalities) who hire residents aged 15-18 for at least eight weeks during summer, pay at least $15/hour or the state minimum wage, and offer work or educational experiences. Grants amount to $5,000 for 10-20 youth, $10,000 for over 20 youth, with an additional $5,000 if 50% of hired youth live in historically disadvantaged communities (defined as areas with ≥20% poverty for 30+ years). Funding comes from a new nonlapsing Youth Summer Employment Fund in the State Treasury, with the department required to advertise the program to employers and schools.

Maddy summaryHB 628 (the Homeowner Cease and Desist List Act) allows residential property owners in designated "homeowner cease and desist zones" to opt out of unsolicited contact from real estate brokers, salespersons, or others in the business of buying/selling homes. Owners in these zones can file a statement with the Secretary of the Commonwealth, which triggers a public list preventing solicitation. Real estate professionals violating this prohibition face escalating penalties: a written warning for a first violation, then $1,000 for a second, $5,000 for a third, and $5,000 plus referral to the State Real Estate Commission for fourth or subsequent violations. The law applies only to direct solicitation (e.g., phone calls, mail, in-person contact) and does not prevent owners from choosing to work with real estate professionals if they wish. Zones expire after five years unless renewed.

Maddy summaryHB 658 allows first-class cities and townships in Pennsylvania to temporarily hire retired police officers back for up to five years to address staffing shortages. Police departments must establish a program where retired officers complete an eight-week training course and agree not to have disciplinary records. Retired officers must choose between keeping their full retirement benefits or temporarily pausing them during participation, with credited service for retirement benefits applied upon return. The program expires six years after implementation and only applies to officers retiring before the bill's effective date.

Maddy summaryHB 669 amends Pennsylvania's Election Code to establish standardized early voting procedures for all county elections. The bill requires counties to offer in-person early voting for 30 days before each election (ending the day before Election Day), with specific operating hours: weekday mornings to mid-afternoon, extended hours on the final weekend, and additional holiday hours. It mandates county boards to set up permanent early voting locations based on population size (e.g., at least one location in each of the three largest municipalities in counties over 250,000 people). This directly affects all registered Pennsylvania voters by expanding access to early voting through structured, location-based provisions.

Maddy summaryHB 676 establishes the First Responder Resilience Grant Program to help first responder organizations (like police, fire, and emergency medical services) cover costs for embedding mental health resilience coaches. The program provides competitive grants to defray salaries and overtime for these coaches, who deliver evidence-based support such as stress reduction, peer mentoring, and suicide prevention services. The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency will administer the program and manage the dedicated First Responder Resilience Grant Fund. This bill directly affects first responder organizations by enabling them to access funding for mental wellness support tailored to the unique stressors of their work.

Maddy summaryHB 98 creates a licensing system for electrical contractors, electricians, and apprentice electricians in Pennsylvania. It establishes the State Board of Electrical Licensure to set qualifications, require continuing education, mandate liability insurance, and enforce standards. The bill directly affects individuals and businesses performing electrical work in buildings, including installation, repair, and maintenance of electrical systems. Key provisions include setting licensing fees, imposing fines for violations, and creating enforcement mechanisms for the Board to suspend or revoke licenses. The bill also includes an appropriation for the Board's operations.

Maddy summaryHR 78 is a resolution directing Pennsylvania's Joint State Government Commission to study how effectively the state supports infants affected by prenatal substance exposure or fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. It requires forming an advisory committee - including health, human services, and substance use experts plus a parent with lived experience - to evaluate current "plans of safe care" implementation, including barriers like duplicate reporting requirements and gaps in tracking infant outcomes. The study will assess coordination between health, child welfare, and treatment systems, cost implications, and alignment of policies across agencies. The committee must issue findings within 18 months, focusing on improving support for infants and families without changing existing laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Pennsylvania health clubs with swimming pools of 1,500 square feet or larger to have at least one certified lifeguard on duty during all hours the pool is open for swimming by members and guests. A "certified lifeguard" must hold a current certification from a lifeguard training program approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Health. This rule directly affects health clubs operating such pools, mandating a minimum safety standard during pool hours. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 619 requires Pennsylvania employers to provide employees with up to two hours of paid time off to vote in elections, affecting all public and private sector workers in the state. The bill mandates that employees give employers at least two working days' notice before an election and prohibits employers from asking about voting preferences or party affiliation. Employers must post a uniform notice about this policy (available from the Secretary of the Commonwealth) at least 10 days before an election and face fines of $100-$500 for violations. The law aims to ensure voting access without penalty, with employees required to verify voting attendance to retain paid time off.