Rep. John Inglis

Maddy summaryHB 769 requires Pennsylvania public schools (excluding fully online cyber charters) to provide dedicated physical space for libraries or information centers and maintain a library collection of at least 1,000 items per grade served, including print and nonprint materials like audio-visual equipment, starting in the 2026-2027 school year. The State Board of Education will establish building standards for library spaces and review these requirements every ten years. School boards must design spaces following the State Board's guidance, and the Secretary of Education can deny approval for construction projects that fail to meet the standards. This bill amends the Public School Code to ensure schools have adequate library resources for student learning.

Maddy summaryHB 724 amends Pennsylvania's tax code to prohibit businesses from deducting expenses related to opposing workers' unionization efforts. It applies to all business entities operating in Pennsylvania - including corporations, limited liability companies, and partnerships - that spend money to influence employees against forming or joining labor organizations. The law specifically blocks tax deductions for costs like hiring anti-union consultants, running campaigns against unionization, or other activities aimed at discouraging union membership. This change increases taxable income for businesses engaging in such activities, directly affecting employers in the state who previously deducted these expenses.

Maddy summaryHB 723 amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code to require state departments to check if applicants for tax credits or benefits have engaged in anti-union activities within the past decade. It directly affects businesses or individuals seeking tax benefits by blocking eligibility if they have: - Faced federal or state unfair labor practice complaints (e.g., under NLRB rules or Pennsylvania Labor Relations Act), - Settled union-related charges without formal complaints, or - Violated court orders or state labor board decisions. The bill adds specific screening steps to the tax credit application process, defining "anti-union activity" through clear legal references. It takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 717 amends Pennsylvania's procurement law to add wage law violations as a specific reason for barring state contractors from future government contracts. It directly affects state contractors who fail to pay wages owed to workers under the 1961 Wage Payment and Collection Law. The bill adds a new subsection (531(b)(6.1)) to the debarment rules, requiring state agencies to suspend or debar contractors found in violation of wage payment laws. This change creates a direct link between wage compliance and eligibility for state contracts. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 716 amends Pennsylvania's Wage Payment and Collection Law to require employers to provide employees with specific pay details (including rate, time of payment, and fringe benefits) at hiring and to post a summary of the law in a visible workplace location. Employers who fail to meet these notification or posting requirements face a $500 fine per violation. The bill also extends the time limit for employees to file legal claims for unpaid wages: if an employer didn't provide required notice or post the summary, the deadline becomes the later of three years after wages were due or the day the requirements were satisfied. This affects all employers in Pennsylvania subject to the Wage Payment and Collection Law.

Maddy summaryHB 700 creates a new, non-lapsing "Home and Community-Based Services for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities Augmentation Account" within Pennsylvania's General Fund. It directs funds from the sale of former state centers for intellectual disabilities, annual transfers from the General Fund (based on prior-year funding levels), and operational cost savings from closed centers into this account. The money must be used by the Department of Human Services to provide home and community-based supports, housing assistance, and emergency waiting list services for individuals with intellectual disabilities. This bill directly affects people with intellectual disabilities receiving these services and the Department of Human Services managing the funds.

Maddy summaryHB 719 prohibits Pennsylvania insurance companies from denying coverage, limiting benefits, or charging higher rates to applicants or policyholders solely because they use FDA-approved HIV prevention medications (PrEP for pre-exposure or PEP for post-exposure prophylaxis). The bill directly affects individuals seeking or maintaining insurance coverage who are prescribed these medications for HIV prevention. It bans specific "adverse actions" like coverage denial, reduced benefits, or discriminatory pricing based solely on PrEP or PEP use. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment and enforces violations through existing insurance fraud and unfair practice laws.

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 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.