Rep. Liz Hanbidge

Maddy summaryHB 820 creates Pennsylvania's "Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit," which provides a state tax credit equal to 30% of a taxpayer's federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) for the same year. This credit directly affects low-to-moderate income Pennsylvania residents who qualify for the federal EITC, applying it against their state tax bill. The credit is refundable, meaning taxpayers receive a cash refund if the credit exceeds their state tax liability. The bill takes effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.

Maddy summaryHB 630 amends Pennsylvania's Equal Pay Law to strengthen protections against wage discrimination based on sex, race, or ethnicity. It adds definitions for "comparable work" (requiring similar skill, effort, responsibility, and working conditions) and clarifies that "wages" include all compensation like fringe benefits. The bill explicitly bans employers from requiring employees to refrain from discussing wages, using salary history to set pay, or asking about prior wages during hiring. It also establishes an Equal Pay Enforcement Fund to support enforcement efforts and clarifies that job titles alone cannot determine if jobs are comparable.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1469 amends the Health Care Facilities Act to establish requirements for hospital price transparency. It mandates that hospitals publish a comprehensive list of their standard charges for all items and services on their public websites in a readable digital format. This list must include gross charges, discounted cash prices, and various negotiated rates with third-party payors. The bill also provides for a prohibition on debt collection action against patients by hospitals that do not comply with these requirements, aiming to give patients clearer access to pricing information.

Maddy summaryHB 526 protects mothers' right to breastfeed their children in any public or private location where they are otherwise permitted to be, without being considered indecent exposure, a nuisance, or obscenity. It defines "breastfeeding" to include both direct feeding and expressing milk for bottle-feeding, and creates a private right to sue for violations, allowing recovery of $1,000 per incident plus attorney fees. The law applies broadly across Pennsylvania, ensuring mothers can feed their children without legal interference while maintaining existing protections from the repealed 2007 Freedom to Breastfeed Act.

Maddy summaryHB 1453 establishes a program to create "food desert opportunity zones" in low-income areas with limited access to supermarkets or large grocery stores. Political subdivisions can apply to the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) to designate up to 12 such zones statewide. Qualified healthy food retail outlets operating within these designated zones may receive food desert opportunity tax credits for up to five years, starting January 1, 2026. The bill outlines the criteria for zone designation and for businesses to qualify for these tax credits.

Maddy summaryHB 1457 amends Pennsylvania's Public Utilities code regarding how utility rates are set. The bill specifically prohibits public utilities from using alternative rate mechanisms that are based on expected temperatures, such as weather normalization adjustments. If such a mechanism was previously approved, it would become unenforceable, requiring utilities to apply the standard base rate to affected customers. This change directly impacts how utilities calculate customer bills in Pennsylvania.

Maddy summaryHB 1443 amends Pennsylvania’s criminal code to explicitly include "3-D printed firearms" in key definitions across multiple sections. It defines "3-D printed firearm" as a digital file intended to create a gun via 3-D printer, and clarifies that "firearm" encompasses any weapon - whether traditional or 3-D printed - that expels projectiles using explosives. The bill updates prohibitions on possessing, selling, or transferring firearms (including 3-D printed versions) and requires licensing for dealers and registration of firearms. This affects all Pennsylvanians who manufacture, sell, or possess firearms, including those using 3-D printing technology.

Maddy summaryHB 813 amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code of 1971 to exempt certain student loan discharges and employer educational assistance from personal income tax. Specifically, it excludes from taxation: (1) the discharge of eligible student loans under qualified federal forgiveness programs, and (2) employer-paid educational assistance that meets federal exclusion rules under Section 127 of the Internal Revenue Code. These exemptions apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025. The bill directly affects Pennsylvania taxpayers who qualify for these specific student loan forgiveness or employer education benefits under federal programs.

Maddy summaryHB 81 prohibits businesses from charging consumers extra fees for paying by mail or choosing paper billing statements. It directly affects consumers who use these payment methods and businesses that currently impose such fees. The law bans additional charges or rate differentials for mail or paper billing but allows businesses to offer incentives (like discounts) for electronic payment or billing options. This amendment to Pennsylvania's Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law takes effect in 60 days.

Maddy summaryHB 1435 directs the Department of Human Services to seek federal approval to allow payments for specific personal care services. These services would be provided by legally responsible relatives to individuals who receive Medical Assistance. The bill specifies that these payments can only be implemented if the federal government grants a waiver. Additionally, the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee is required to study the costs of implementing any approved waiver and report its findings within three years.