Rep. Bud Cook

Maddy summaryHR 195 is a symbolic resolution designating April 2025 as "Child Abuse Prevention Month" in Pennsylvania. It does not create new laws or policies but formally recognizes the month for raising awareness about child abuse prevention efforts across the state. The resolution directly affects Pennsylvania residents and organizations focused on child welfare by encouraging community observances and educational activities during April 2025. As a procedural resolution, it has no binding effect and serves solely as a formal acknowledgment.

Maddy summaryHB 910 amends Pennsylvania's criminal code to elevate "dealing in infant children" from a misdemeanor to a first-degree felony. It makes it a crime to trade, buy, sell, or deal with infants under one year old, directly targeting individuals involved in illegal infant trafficking. The bill explicitly excludes legal surrogacy and adoption from this offense. This law takes effect 60 days after enactment, focusing on criminalizing the commercial exchange of very young children.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania bill introduces a temporary sales tax exemption for household cleaning supplies, such as brooms, mops, vacuums, and detergents. The exemption applies only to individual buyers purchasing these items for personal, non-business use during a six-month window starting on July 1, 2026. The Department of Revenue will publish online guidance to help consumers understand the rules, and the law defines a purchaser as someone who pays by cash or credit within that six-month period, even if the delivery arrives later.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution designates 2025 as "The Year of the Catholic War Veterans of the United States of America" in Pennsylvania to honor the organization's 90-year history of service to faith, family, and country. It is a ceremonial measure expressing the state's recognition of the Catholic War Veterans' contributions, including their work with Pennsylvania's veterans community and their national service since 1935. The resolution does not create new laws or alter existing policies - it is purely symbolic, with no direct impact on legislation or funding.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House resolution (HR 157) urges the U.S. Congress to pass H.R. 3023 (or similar legislation) during the 119th Congress, which would require the Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense to provide stellate ganglion block (SGB) therapy to veterans and military members with PTSD. SGB is a low-risk neck injection procedure that targets nerves controlling stress responses, potentially alleviating symptoms like anxiety and hyperarousal. The resolution cites that 23% of recent veterans and 12-15% of older veterans have PTSD diagnoses, with current treatments helping only 40% of patients. It emphasizes SGB's decades-long use and support from veterans' organizations as a potential treatment option.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code to temporarily exempt the sales and use tax on bicycles, bicycle parts, and helmets. The exemption applies only to individual buyers purchasing these items for personal, non-business use during a six-month window starting when the law takes effect. The legislation defines eligible items to include standard bikes, adaptive models, and various types of e-bicycles, while specifying that the tax break is valid if the purchase is made within the timeframe even if delivery occurs later. A department of revenue notice will be published online to guide the public on how to claim this temporary exclusion.

Maddy summaryHB 2442 amends Pennsylvania's Safe Drinking Water Act to allow the Department of Agriculture to issue temporary operating licenses to applicants seeking retail food facility permits. To qualify, applicants must prove they have submitted a complete public water system permit application and provide certified lab tests showing their water system meets federal standards. The temporary license remains valid only while the permit application is pending and automatically expires if the permit is issued, denied, or if the applicant fails to submit required compliance tests every six months.

Maddy summaryHB 1929 designates an annual "Charlie Kirk Day" in Pennsylvania for commemoration. The bill requires the governor to issue a yearly proclamation recognizing Charlie Kirk, though the bill does not specify his role or contributions. This is a procedural, symbolic measure with no policy changes, funding, or direct impact on residents or programs. It remains pending in the Tourism, Recreation & Economic Development committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania vehicle laws to clarify rules for organized motorcycle processions and funerals. It allows drivers in these groups to ignore red lights and stop signs if the lead vehicle proceeds legally, provided they use emergency flashers and headlamps. The legislation also defines specific requirements for organized motorcycle processions, such as having at least 10 participants, being sponsored by a nonprofit, and wearing reflective vests. Additionally, it ensures that vehicles in caravans or motorcades outside urban areas must maintain safe distances to allow other cars to merge safely.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Medicare Supplement Insurance Act to allow individuals to switch insurance companies without being denied coverage or facing higher prices due to their health status or medical history. It specifically applies to people aged 65 or older who are already enrolled in Medicare and wish to change their current supplement plan within 60 days of their birthday while keeping the same type of coverage. Under the new rules, a new policy issued under these conditions must take effect on the first day of the month that is at least 30 days after the application is signed, and the changes will become effective on January 1, 2027.