Rep. Liz Hanbidge

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits Pennsylvania State Police from stopping, detaining, or questioning individuals based solely on immigration status, except when necessary for unrelated criminal investigations. It bans prolonging detention due to immigration status or conducting immigration checks without a prior criminal arrest. Police must share immigration detainer information with federal authorities only if discovered during lawful detention for unrelated matters. The law directly affects all individuals interacting with Pennsylvania State Police, limiting state involvement in federal immigration enforcement.

Maddy summaryHB 2199 requires Pennsylvania public schools to adopt or update anti-bullying policies specifically addressing gender-based bullying starting in the 2026-2027 school year. The policy must prohibit bullying based on a student's actual or perceived sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression, and include specific protections for transgender and nonbinary students during gender transitions. Schools must incorporate the policy into student conduct codes, distribute it in handbooks and classrooms, post it prominently, and review it annually with students. The bill also mandates that schools report bullying prevention efforts to the Department of Education annually. This directly affects all Pennsylvania public school students, particularly LGBTQ+ youth, by requiring schools to address gender-based bullying through defined policies and support systems.

Maddy summaryHB 2197 requires charter, regional charter, and cyber charter schools in Pennsylvania to annually report to the state education department the number of students who either returned to their district of residence or were otherwise removed from the school. This bill directly affects the management and accountability of these school types by mandating transparency around student enrollment changes. The key provision is the annual reporting requirement for school boards, focusing on tracking student departures rather than altering attendance rules. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment, with no changes to existing attendance policies for students.

Maddy summaryHB 2195 establishes a $1,000 tax credit for Pennsylvania resident individuals who adopt a child under 18 years old in the year the adoption is finalized. The credit applies only once per adopted child and may be claimed jointly by filing spouses, but not for children who are the spouse's biological child. To claim the credit, taxpayers must submit proof with their tax return, and the Department of Revenue must annually report usage statistics (including total claims and amounts) to the General Assembly starting in 2027. The credit applies to tax years beginning after December 31, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2123 amends Pennsylvania's adoption laws to require separate legal representation for placing parents (those voluntarily giving up a child for adoption) in adoption proceedings, with strict rules preventing attorneys from representing both placing parents and prospective adoptive parents. The bill mandates that home studies include at least six hours of training on transracial adoption, attachment, and trauma-informed parenting for adoption agencies. It also establishes new regulations for adoption intermediary services (acting as a link between placing and prospective adoptive parents) and advertising, prohibiting payments to placing parents for placement and creating an Adoption Intermediary Services Fund managed by the Department of Human Services. These changes directly affect placing parents, prospective adoptive parents, adoption agencies, and intermediary service providers.

Maddy summaryThe context provided does not include sufficient details about HB 331's specific provisions, who it affects, or its key mechanisms. The bill title mentions amending judicial statutes regarding "surcharge" for facilities and supplies, but no concrete policy changes, affected parties, or operational details are described in the available information. Without the full text or explanatory summaries of the bill, a factual summary cannot be accurately generated. Procedural actions (like being "laid on the table") do not describe the bill's content.

Maddy summaryHB 713 amends Pennsylvania law to protect individuals who disclose sexual offenses or abuse by expanding legal safeguards for such communications. It defines "protected public expression" to include non-malicious disclosures about sexual violence under Pennsylvania law (23 Pa.C.S. §§ 6102, 62A03) and explicitly states that reporting these incidents should not be chilled by lawsuits. The bill excludes claims under protection-from-abuse laws (23 Pa.C.S. Chapter 61) and sexual violence statutes (Chapter 62A) from certain legal challenges. This creates a clearer legal shield for people reporting sexual violence without altering existing protections for victims.

Maddy summaryHB 603 extends the time employees have to file a lawsuit after retaliation under Pennsylvania's Whistleblower Law, changing the deadline from 180 days to two years. It clarifies that successful whistleblowers can recover back pay, reinstatement of benefits and seniority, and full legal costs including attorney fees. The bill also specifies that punitive damages may be awarded only if retaliation was intentional or showed reckless disregard for employee rights. These changes directly affect Pennsylvania employees who report violations of state, local, or federal law and face retaliation. The bill does not create new protections but strengthens enforcement mechanisms for existing whistleblower safeguards.

Maddy summaryHB 670 would protect access to abortion clinics in Pennsylvania by creating a legal right for people to enter reproductive health services facilities and allowing lawsuits against individuals or entities that block access. It amends criminal and judicial statutes to define "blocking access" as a violation and imposes penalties for such actions. The bill directly affects patients seeking abortion care, clinic staff, and anyone attempting to obstruct facility access. Key provisions include enabling civil lawsuits for damages and establishing specific criminal penalties for interference with facility access.

Maddy summaryHB 2192 establishes the Commonwealth Housing Council to coordinate housing policies across Pennsylvania state agencies and local governments. The council will include 15 members: state agency secretaries, legislative appointees, mayors of major cities, county executives, and housing experts appointed by the Governor and legislative leaders. It requires the council to meet quarterly and coordinate housing strategies to improve policy implementation. This bill creates a new coordination body without altering existing housing laws or funding.