Rep. Charity Krupa

Maddy summaryHB 685 requires Pennsylvania schools to accept U.S. currency as payment for admission to school-sponsored activities, such as athletic events, assemblies, or field trips. It applies to all school entities, including public school districts, charter schools, and private schools participating in school activities. The bill mandates that cash must be accepted when fees are charged, while allowing schools to also accept other payment methods like credit cards. It defines "cash" as U.S. coins and paper money recognized as legal tender and clarifies that schools may refuse payments in large denominations that exceed the fee amount.

Maddy summaryHB 941 amends Pennsylvania law to set a five-year statute of limitations for prosecuting certain major offenses, meaning prosecutors must file charges within five years of the crime's commission. It specifically applies to offenses like attempted murder (without actual murder), conspiracy to commit murder, aggravated assault, burglary, fraud, robbery, and witness intimidation, among others listed in the bill. The bill does not change the crimes themselves but establishes a uniform five-year deadline for initiating prosecutions for these specific offenses. This change affects prosecutors who must file charges within this timeframe and defendants who may face charges within the new window. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 927 proposes a constitutional amendment to Pennsylvania that would prohibit the state from issuing driver's licenses or similar vehicle operation permits to individuals without lawful presence in the United States. This would directly affect non-citizens residing in Pennsylvania without legal immigration status, preventing them from obtaining or renewing driver's licenses under this policy. The amendment requires approval by the Pennsylvania General Assembly and subsequent voter approval at the next applicable election, as outlined in Section 2 of the resolution. If adopted, it would change the state constitution to mandate legal immigration status as a prerequisite for license issuance.

Maddy summaryHB 575 creates new protections for military service members and veterans seeking professional licenses in Pennsylvania. It ensures that individuals holding licenses in fields like healthcare, education, or trades retain their licenses during military service without losing eligibility or facing continuing education requirements. After discharge, veterans can renew licenses within one year by paying only the current renewal fee, without making up for missed requirements. The bill also requires the Department of Education to establish a policy for awarding academic credit at Pennsylvania colleges for military training, helping veterans apply their service experience toward college credits.

Maddy summaryHB 897 requires Pennsylvania state agencies to prioritize purchasing "American-made" supplies, defined as goods assembled within the United States. The bill adds this definition to procurement rules and mandates agencies to incorporate prioritization into their buying policies. If an agency determines a supply isn’t American-made or unavailable in sufficient quantities, it must publish the decision in the Pennsylvania Bulletin, allowing 30 days for objections with evidence. Affirmed determinations exempt specific supplies from the prioritization requirement.

Maddy summaryHB 871 requires anyone who spills, discharges, or releases an unpermitted substance into Pennsylvania waters (or areas likely to reach them) to notify the state environmental department if the discharge could harm public health or the environment. The bill mandates that the Environmental Quality Board create specific, publicly reviewed thresholds for determining when notice is required within 180 days, and finalize these regulations within 365 days. It directly affects businesses, industries, and others handling substances that could pollute waterways. The law changes existing pollution rules by adding this notice obligation, rather than altering pollution limits or penalties.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires most construction and land development projects to obtain an erosion and sediment control permit from Pennsylvania's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) before starting earth disturbance work (like clearing land or building). It sets a 45-day deadline for DEP to process permits, or 20 days if a licensed engineer submits the application, and mandates clear written reasons for denials. The DEP must also submit an annual report to the legislature by January 31st, detailing permit applications, approvals, processing times, staff workload, and fees collected by industry sector. This directly affects construction companies, developers, and the DEP, which must manage permits and reporting under new timelines and transparency requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 869 exempts nonpublic schools and home education programs in Pennsylvania from state emergency orders during disaster declarations, such as those issued by the Governor or the Secretary of Health under Pennsylvania law. This applies to institutions like church schools, home school groups, nonprofit schools, and one-room schools that meet legal requirements for educating students. The bill adds this exemption to the Public School Code of 1949, meaning these schools would not be required to close or follow specific health directives during declared emergencies. The law takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 854 requires school board members to recuse themselves from voting on collective bargaining agreements if their spouse, romantic partner, or household member is part of the bargaining unit covered by that agreement. The bill amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to establish this conflict-of-interest rule, directly affecting school board members during contract negotiations. Key provisions mandate automatic recusal for board members with personal ties to the employees covered by the agreement being voted on. The rule takes effect 60 days after enactment, aiming to prevent potential bias in negotiations.

Maddy summaryHB 857 amends Pennsylvania's Human Services Code to update reimbursement rates for emergency ambulance services under Medicaid programs. It requires the state to pay ambulance providers the higher of either Medicare's 2023 rates or current Medicaid ambulance fees (as updated in 2023) for services provided to Medicaid enrollees starting January 1, 2024. For services where patients declined transport, new rates based on 2025 Medicare data or updated Medicaid fees will apply beginning July 1, 2025. This directly affects licensed emergency medical services agencies that provide ambulance transport to Medicaid beneficiaries.