Rep. Liz Hanbidge

Maddy summaryHB 1866 would have expanded Pennsylvania's definition of "prohibited offensive weapons" under criminal law to include specific items like modified firearms and certain knives, making it a crime to attempt to obtain or possess them. The bill aimed to clarify that inchoate offenses (such as attempted possession) involving these weapons would be punishable under existing statutes. It directly affected individuals facing charges related to preparing to obtain or carry these weapons. However, the bill was defeated during final passage on October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates September 2025 as "Suicide Prevention Awareness Month" and September 10, 2025, as "World Suicide Prevention Day" within Pennsylvania. It serves as a symbolic recognition by the state legislature to highlight suicide prevention efforts and raise public awareness during these designated periods. The resolution does not create new programs, funding, or legal requirements; it is a formal declaration to support existing community and organizational initiatives. Pennsylvania residents and local suicide prevention groups are the direct audience for this recognition.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates the week of September 7-13, 2025, in Pennsylvania as "National Suicide Prevention Week." It is a commemorative measure with no binding legal effect, intended to raise public awareness about suicide prevention efforts. The bill directly affects Pennsylvanians by formally recognizing this observance period, encouraging community engagement with local mental health initiatives. It does not create new policies, funding, or obligations.

Maddy summaryHR 139 designates the week of September 14-20, 2025, as "Truck Driver Appreciation Week" in Pennsylvania. The resolution symbolically honors commercial truck drivers for their contributions to the state's transportation and economy. It has no legal effect or funding requirements; it simply recognizes truck drivers through a formal designation. This is a ceremonial resolution, not a policy change affecting regulations or services.

Maddy summaryHB 1903 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to update the Safe2Say Program, a school safety reporting system, by clarifying definitions and enhancing program requirements. It also adds new requirements for colleges and universities, mandating they establish written policies addressing sexual harassment and sexual violence, along with implementing an online reporting system for incidents. The bill directly affects public schools and postsecondary institutions by changing how they handle safety reporting and campus conduct policies. Key provisions include standardizing definitions for consistency and requiring institutions to provide accessible online reporting tools for students. These changes aim to improve clarity and accessibility in addressing safety and harassment concerns across educational settings.

Maddy summaryHB 1904 would amend Pennsylvania's sentencing laws to specifically address hate-based intimidation, which occurs when someone intimidates another person due to their race, religion, sexual orientation, or other personal characteristics. The bill requires courts to consider community impact statements during sentencing, which are written accounts from community members about how the crime affected the broader community. This change would directly affect judges, courts handling such cases, and the communities impacted by bias-motivated intimidation offenses.

Maddy summaryHB 1099 would create a new criminal offense under Pennsylvania law for possessing or manufacturing undetectable firearms. These are weapons that cannot be detected by standard metal detectors, such as certain 3D-printed guns. The bill would add this specific prohibition to Pennsylvania's criminal code, making it illegal to have or produce such firearms. It directly affects individuals who possess or create undetectable firearms by establishing clear legal consequences for this activity.

Maddy summaryHB 363 designates Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Eid al-Fitr, and Eid al-Adha as official observances within the Commonwealth. The bill requires state agencies to recognize these dates annually for purposes of ceremonial observance, such as public acknowledgments or non-binding acknowledgments in government communications. It directly affects state government operations by mandating this recognition but does not create new legal holidays or alter work schedules. The bill is procedural in nature, focusing solely on formal acknowledgment of these religious observances.

Maddy summaryHB 1859 proposed changes to Pennsylvania's firearm laws, targeting individuals prohibited from possessing firearms (such as those under extreme risk protection orders) and establishing rules for safely surrendering firearms. It added provisions for "extreme risk protection orders" (court orders to temporarily remove firearms from high-risk individuals), clarified restrictions on firearm possession, and required the Attorney General to create a system for reporting firearm abandonment. The bill also updated procedures for community courts and imposed penalties for violations, but it was defeated in final passage on September 30, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1885 requires Pennsylvania public schools to include swimming education programs in their curriculum. It creates a reimbursement system where the state funds school districts for program costs, including payments between districts. The bill also allocates a specific state appropriation to cover these expenses. This directly affects all public school districts in Pennsylvania by adding a new mandatory program and providing dedicated funding.