Rep. Barb Gleim

Maddy summaryHB 227, the "Honesty in Teaching Act," prohibits Pennsylvania public schools (including districts, charter schools, and cyber charters) and their contractors from compelling students to adopt beliefs that suggest any group is inherently superior or inferior based on protected characteristics like race, gender, sexual orientation, or disability. It bans communications promoting discrimination or group-based superiority (Section 3(a)), requires teacher training focused on fostering independent thinking over advancing personal beliefs (Section 3(e)), and mandates contracts with contractors include a statement prohibiting "prohibited indoctrination" (Section 4). Complaints about violations can be filed with school boards, with penalties for false claims under Pennsylvania law (Section 5). The bill directly affects public school employees, contractors, and students by restricting specific instructional content while allowing discussion of controversial topics.

Maddy summaryHB 236 amends Pennsylvania's obscenity law to explicitly exempt public libraries, school/university libraries, and state or municipal archives from the offense of displaying obscene materials. The bill updates Section 5903(j) of Title 18 to clarify that recognized historical societies, museums, public libraries, and educational institution libraries are not subject to these restrictions. This change directly affects libraries and archives operating under educational or governmental supervision by removing ambiguity about their legal protections. The amendment does not create new offenses but ensures these institutions can legally display materials as part of their public service.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HR 13) urges the federal government to grant state and local governments legal authority to respond to unidentified drone threats. It specifically addresses concerns raised by over 3,000 drone sightings near sensitive locations in New Jersey since November 2024, noting current federal rules prevent local authorities from acting swiftly. The resolution requests that the federal government amend regulations to empower states/localities and implement stronger transparency measures for drone incidents. It does not create new law but formally asks the federal government to change existing policies.

Maddy summaryHB 164 requires health care facilities in Pennsylvania to handle fetal remains (from a fetal death) through cremation or burial per existing vital records rules, without needing a name on permits. Parents must cover costs if they choose a disposal location outside the facility’s usual practice, but facilities must provide disposition services if parents don’t claim remains. The bill ensures parent information remains confidential and clarifies that facilities aren’t required to issue stillbirth certificates. It does not change the definition of fetal death or mandate cremation/burial unless requested by the parent.

Maddy summaryHB 161 amends Pennsylvania's Prevailing Wage Act by adding specific definitions to clarify which construction projects are covered. It defines "public work" to exclude school safety and security improvements, such as projects funded under the Public School Code for safety upgrades. This directly affects construction contractors working on public projects costing over $25,000, as school safety projects will no longer require prevailing wage rates. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 163 amends Pennsylvania's 1980 law to prohibit entities from "countries of concern" (including China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Belarus, and Venezuela) and foreign governments from acquiring agricultural land, except through inheritance or as security for debt. It requires title companies to verify compliance with the law, imposing a $1,000 civil penalty for willful failure to do so, and authorizes the Attorney General to investigate violations. Violating entities must forfeit the land to the Commonwealth, which will sell it at auction; proceeds cover sale costs, reimburse the Attorney General for investigation expenses, pay lienholders, and then fund the General Fund. The law defines agricultural land broadly (including cropland and livestock operations) but excludes mineral rights and non-farm zoning.

Maddy summaryHB 160 amends Pennsylvania's prevailing wage law by raising the cost threshold for public construction projects subject to prevailing wage requirements from $25,000 to $257,000 (adjusted annually for inflation). The new threshold uses the Consumer Price Index for urban wage earners in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland to account for inflation each March. This change exempts smaller public projects (under $257,000) from prevailing wage rules, while larger projects remain covered. The amendment applies to contracts entered into 60 days after the law's effective date.

Maddy summaryHB 51, the Property Tax Pension Obligation Disclosure Act, requires Pennsylvania school districts to annually calculate and publicly disclose the amount of unfunded pension and retirement benefits per $100,000 in residential property value. This disclosure must appear on school district websites, in annual financial reports, and on property tax notices. The bill also mandates that home sellers include these calculations on standard real estate disclosure forms during property sales. It directly affects school districts (for reporting) and home sellers (for disclosure during transactions).

Maddy summaryThis bill (HB 83) amends Pennsylvania's 1970 law to allow minors aged 16 to 18 to consent independently to mental health treatment (both inpatient and outpatient) without parental permission. It establishes clear rules for when minors or parents can revoke consent and requires courts to hold a hearing within 72 hours if a minor objects to continued treatment, with strict criteria for overriding their wishes. The law explicitly excludes minors with "special needs" (defined as intellectual disabilities with adaptive limitations) from these provisions. It applies specifically to mental health services, not general medical care, and clarifies liability for providers who rely on a minor's consent.

Maddy summaryHB 110 amends Pennsylvania's 1970 law to allow minors aged 18 or older to consent independently to mental health treatment without parental permission, raising the age from 14. It also clarifies that minors aged 18+ control their mental health treatment records, while parents or legal guardians retain full access to all medical, dental, and health records for minors under 18. The bill includes provisions for minors to revoke consent for treatment and requires court review if a minor objects to continued inpatient care. These changes directly affect minors seeking mental health services and their parents, streamlining consent processes while balancing minor autonomy with parental access.