Rep. Roni Green

Maddy summaryHB 568 establishes county-level "gun violence task forces" in Pennsylvania communities with high and increasing gun violence rates. These task forces, created upon a district attorney's written request to the Attorney General, investigate violations of firearm laws (sections 6105 and 6111 of Title 18) and recommend prosecutions. The task forces include local law enforcement, community stakeholders, faith leaders, and neighborhood representatives, operating under the Attorney General’s authority. The Attorney General gains authority to prosecute certain firearm offenses in these counties, considering factors like the severity of the offense and the offender’s criminal history, while local prosecutors may request prosecution for specific cases involving murder or violent crimes.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds music therapy to Pennsylvania's existing licensing framework for mental health professionals. It creates a new "licensed professional music therapist" category and defines "practice of music therapy" to include clinically proven techniques like music improvisation, songwriting, and music-based assessments. The State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists, Professional Counselors, and Professional Music Therapists will regulate this new license. It directly affects individuals who provide music therapy services independently, requiring them to hold this specific license while clarifying that existing healthcare providers (like hospitals or schools) aren't required to obtain it for their employment.

Maddy summaryHB 551, the "Support Through Loss Act," requires employers with five or more employees in Pennsylvania to provide 24 hours of paid leave annually for employees experiencing pregnancy loss or related reproductive health events. It covers specific situations like pregnancy loss, failed fertility treatments (including assisted reproductive technology), adoption issues, or fertility-related diagnoses, as well as leave to care for a spouse or domestic partner in these circumstances. Employers must post notices about the policy and are prohibited from retaliating against employees who use this leave or discriminating based on its use. The bill takes effect for all covered employers starting January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 552 creates three public alert systems in Pennsylvania: the Amber Alert for abducted children, the Missing Endangered Person Advisory System for missing individuals at special risk (e.g., due to health conditions), and the Green Alert for veterans-at-risk (veterans with service-related health conditions facing harm). The Pennsylvania State Police must establish and maintain these systems, coordinate with other jurisdictions, and use a $25 fee assessed on certain convictions (like kidnapping or unlawful restraint) to fund them. The bill also prohibits false alerts with a $5,000 civil penalty and ensures law enforcement can still independently notify the public. It directly affects the State Police, law enforcement agencies, and individuals convicted of specified crimes.

Maddy summaryHB 555 amends Pennsylvania's Election Code to align state campaign contribution limits with federal standards under 52 U.S.C. § 30116. It defines "valuable thing" to clarify in-kind contributions (like volunteer services, food under $250, or modest property use) that do not count toward reporting limits. The bill requires the Secretary of the Commonwealth to certify and publish these federal-based limits annually. This affects candidates, political committees, and campaign donors in Pennsylvania elections, effective January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 529 establishes a program allowing Pennsylvania municipalities to create "Smart Growth Zoning Districts" in areas with good transit access or existing development (like downtowns or near transit stations). It creates a "Smart Growth Zoning District Fund" that pays municipalities a one-time "density bonus payment" for each new housing unit built in these districts, specifically targeting "attainable housing" for residents earning up to 120% of the area's median income. Municipalities must submit detailed housing plans showing how they will meet local housing needs through these districts. The bill directly affects local governments, developers, and residents seeking affordable housing options in designated zones.

Maddy summaryHB 537 amends Pennsylvania's Emergency and Law Enforcement Personnel Death Benefits Act to provide property tax relief for the primary residences of deceased public safety workers. It directs the state to pay local tax authorities the full property tax amount for the surviving spouse's or minor children's primary residence for five years after death (or until the home is sold), if no spouse or minor children survive, the benefit goes to parents. The bill requires surviving family members to provide the tax bill to the relevant department to trigger payments. This change directly affects families of covered personnel, including paid and volunteer firefighters, law enforcement officers, and other emergency responders who died while on duty.

Maddy summaryHB 532 amends Pennsylvania's transportation code to establish clear membership rules for metropolitan and rural planning organizations (MPOs and RPOs), which develop regional transportation plans. The bill requires that elected local officials (mayors or council members) or their designees make up the majority of these organizations' governing boards. It mandates that all such organizations update their bylaws within one year to comply with this requirement, directly affecting local governments and transportation planning groups across Pennsylvania. The change focuses on ensuring local elected leadership has primary decision-making authority in transportation planning processes.

Maddy summaryHB 525 is a proposed constitutional amendment that would require Pennsylvania counties to create local ordinances allowing the removal of elected municipal officials (like mayors or council members) only for specific reasons. The bill defines "cause" as absenteeism from meetings or failing to perform duties, and clarifies that this does not replace existing removal processes. As a constitutional amendment, it must pass both legislative chambers and be approved by voters in the next general election. This change would directly affect municipal officials and county governments, but it does not alter current state-level removal procedures.

Maddy summaryHB 545 creates a new legal process for individuals wrongfully convicted in Pennsylvania to seek compensation. It establishes eligibility for those whose convictions were overturned due to actual innocence (including overturned convictions, acquittals after retrial, or pardons), excluding accomplices or those who committed perjury. The bill adds a new subchapter (8581-8586) to Title 42, outlining procedures for filing claims, determining compensation amounts, and requiring notice to the Treasury. It also modifies sovereign immunity laws to ensure these claims cannot be blocked by government immunity defenses. This directly affects wrongfully convicted individuals or their heirs who meet specific innocence-based criteria.