Rep. Jill Cooper

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House Resolution formally designates September 2026 as "Suicide Prevention Awareness Month" and September 10, 2026, as "World Suicide Prevention Day." The bill cites national statistics regarding suicide rates and attempts to highlight the ongoing public health challenge. It does not mandate specific actions or funding but instead encourages residents of the Commonwealth to provide support for individuals in need.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House Resolution designates October 2026 as "Infant Safe Sleep Month" to raise awareness about preventing sleep-related infant deaths. It encourages the state Department of Health to partner with hospitals, community groups, and organizations like Cribs for Kids to promote evidence-based safe sleep practices through year-round public education campaigns. The resolution also directs that educational resources be developed and distributed in English and Spanish, with consideration for other common languages, to help parents create safer sleeping environments for their babies.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House Resolution formally designates the week of October 4 through 10, 2026, as "Fire Prevention Week" in the state. The bill highlights specific fire risks associated with electronic devices, such as overheating power banks and damaged chargers, while emphasizing the importance of proper battery disposal and working smoke alarms. It urges residents, landlords, and businesses to adopt safety practices recommended by the National Fire Protection Association to reduce home fire hazards. Additionally, the resolution commends firefighters and other first responders for their ongoing efforts in fire prevention and emergency response.

Maddy summaryPennsylvania House Bill 2743 amends the Public School Code to establish specific rules for when school terms can begin and how daily sessions are structured. The bill prohibits schools from starting the term before the day after Labor Day or on the same day as a local agricultural fair, though exceptions are available with state approval for emergencies like natural disasters or major construction projects. It also sets a default daily schedule of 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM with designated breaks and requires that professional staff receive at least thirty minutes for lunch without supervisory duties. Existing contracts between school entities and employees that dictate school calendars remain in effect despite these new statutory requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 2124 establishes a "transfer on death deed" process in Pennsylvania, allowing property owners to directly transfer real estate to named beneficiaries upon their death without probate. The bill enables owners to create a legally binding deed (requiring only county recording before death) that automatically transfers property to designated beneficiaries, with no need for beneficiary acceptance or payment during the owner's lifetime. Owners retain full control to revoke or modify the deed anytime before death, using the same legal capacity required for making a will. This applies to all Pennsylvania property owners seeking to simplify post-death property transfers for homes, land, or other real estate, avoiding court involvement in estate administration.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House Resolution designates December 7, 2026, as "Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day" to honor the service members and civilians affected by the 1941 attack. The bill highlights a specific connection between the state and the event by noting that the USS Pennsylvania was present at Pearl Harbor and sustained casualties. It encourages residents to pause in remembrance, honor World War II veterans, and recognize the resilience of the people of Hawaii.

Maddy summaryPennsylvania House Bill 2725 amends the Public Official Compensation Law to allow members of the General Assembly and legislative officers or leaders to voluntarily opt out of automatic annual cost-of-living adjustments. If a legislator chooses this option, their salary remains fixed at the level established when they were last elected for the duration of that term. The decision must be made within specific deadlines, such as during November of the election year for general members or within 30 days of appointment for officers, and cannot be reversed once finalized. The bill requires the Chief Clerks of both legislative chambers to create a standardized form for this process, ensuring that any legislator who does not submit the form will continue to receive standard inflation-based pay increases.

Maddy summaryPennsylvania House Bill 2727 authorizes local governments to offer a voluntary property tax freeze for seniors who are at least 65 years old, have lived in the state for five or more years, and meet specific income limits. Eligible homeowners can keep their real estate taxes fixed at the amount paid during a designated base year, provided they continue to meet financial criteria that are adjusted annually for inflation. The tax freeze applies only to a primary residence and transfers if the owner moves within the same local jurisdiction, but it ends when the property is sold or transferred. The state Department of Community and Economic Development will oversee the program by creating a standardized application form and publishing annual reports on its performance and cost savings.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's game laws to clarify that hunting or taking wildlife without a personally signed license is unlawful. It reinforces the requirement that individuals must carry their valid license on their person while hunting or furtaking within the state. The legislation also specifies that this rule applies regardless of the method or device used to hunt. These changes take effect 60 days after the bill is enacted.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution that designates June 12, 2026, as "Women Veterans Day" in Pennsylvania to honor the contributions of female military service members. The measure does not create new laws or change any government policies; instead, it serves to formally acknowledge the state's approximately 70,000 women veterans and highlight their growing presence in the armed forces. The text includes background information on the history of women in the military and notes specific challenges they face, such as higher rates of military sexual trauma and lower utilization of veteran benefits. Ultimately, the resolution aims to raise awareness about these issues rather than implementing concrete programs or funding changes.