Maddy summaryHB 1707 establishes a 3-year pilot program providing $5,000 semester stipends to Pennsylvania residents enrolled in approved Master of Social Work (MSW) programs with a 3.0 GPA or higher who complete required internships at department-approved facilities. The Department of Human Services administers the program, awarding stipends subject to available funding and requiring interns to gain clinical training aligned with social work licensure standards. The program mandates a report within one year evaluating outcomes and expansion potential, with authority expiring three years after implementation. This directly supports social work students and aims to strengthen the behavioral health care workforce through structured education and training.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 1673 would prohibit Pennsylvania law enforcement agencies from using chemical weapons, including riot control agents like tear gas, during public order incidents. This bill directly affects police departments and law enforcement officers by restricting their use of specific chemical agents under Pennsylvania law. The key provision amends Title 44 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes to establish this ban, replacing existing provisions that may have permitted such use. The bill is currently pending in the Judiciary Committee after being referred on June 30, 2025.
Maddy summaryHB 1100 amends Pennsylvania's Human Services Code to allow public assistance recipients to use their benefits to purchase diapers and menstrual hygiene products through a new waiver program. This directly affects low-income individuals and families enrolled in public assistance programs who currently cannot use their benefits for these essential items. The key provision adds diapers and menstrual hygiene products to the list of eligible purchases under an administrative waiver, changing the existing code to expand access to basic necessities. The bill does not change benefit amounts or eligibility criteria but creates a new pathway for purchasing specific hygiene products. It passed the legislature in June 2025 and was referred to the Health & Human Services committee for implementation.
Maddy summaryHB 1650 establishes Pennsylvania's Home Preservation Grant Program, administered by the Department of Community and Economic Development. It provides grants to local governments (counties, cities, townships) to fund repairs and improvements on existing owner-occupied homes, targeting households earning 80-120% of the area median income. Grants can cover up to $50,000 per unit for habitability fixes, energy/water efficiency upgrades, or accessibility modifications, with local governments allowed to use up to 10% of funds for administration. Applications must demonstrate experience in housing rehabilitation and include plans for using funds per the bill's requirements, with priority given to projects leveraging additional funding sources.
Maddy summaryThis bill is a symbolic resolution designating June 2025 as "Italian-American Heritage Month" in Pennsylvania. It officially recognizes Pennsylvania's Italian-American community - home to approximately 1.4 million residents with Italian ancestry - and highlights their historical contributions to the state and nation. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but formally designates the month for commemoration, referencing cultural milestones like Filippo Mazzei's influence on the Declaration of Independence and Philadelphia's large Italian-American population. The measure was adopted by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives on June 25, 2025.
Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Pennsylvania's Human Services Code to change how medical providers are reimbursed for specific services provided to public assistance recipients. It updates reimbursement rules for certain medical items and services while replacing outdated regulations that conflicted with these changes. The primary effect is on healthcare providers who bill state assistance programs, streamlining the process for claiming payments. The bill does not create new benefits but adjusts existing reimbursement procedures under public assistance programs.
Maddy summaryHB 1347 establishes a framework for creating tourism improvement districts (TIDs) in local areas. These districts can collect special fees from participating businesses to fund tourism promotion, infrastructure, and marketing projects. The bill requires each TID to form a management association to oversee funds and operations, with mandatory annual financial audits. This directly affects local governments, tourism businesses within designated districts, and residents who may see changes to tourism-related services and facilities.
Maddy summaryThis resolution urges Pennsylvania school districts to consider later start times for secondary schools (high schools), citing studies showing teens need 8-10 hours of sleep but 98% of PA schools begin before 8:30 a.m. It references CDC and AAP research linking later start times to improved academic performance, reduced absenteeism, and better mental health outcomes. The bill encourages districts to collaborate with health professionals and educators to develop schedules that maintain educational activities while adopting later start times, and asks state agencies to provide resources and public education on adolescent sleep needs. As a non-binding resolution, it does not require policy changes but recommends action based on existing evidence.
Maddy summaryHB 1669 requires Pennsylvania public schools serving kindergarten through grade five to provide at least 30 minutes of daily supervised, unstructured free-play recess for all students. This means students cannot replace recess with extra classwork, and schools cannot withhold recess as punishment for behavior or missed assignments. The bill mandates that recess occur outdoors when weather and facilities permit, while allowing exceptions based on medical advice or a student's individualized education plan. It defines "free-play recess" as time away from structured learning for physical activity or social play, excluding scheduled physical education classes. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.
Maddy summaryHB 506 amends Pennsylvania's Human Services Code to establish a state-funded Child Care Staff Recruitment and Retention Program. It directly affects licensed child care providers and their staff by creating a new program to address staffing shortages. The key mechanism provides state funding for recruitment incentives and retention support, such as signing bonuses or professional development, for child care workers. The bill passed final passage on June 25, 2025, and was referred to the Health & Human Services committee.