Rep. Lee James

Maddy summaryHB 1409 repeals Pennsylvania's 1937 Store and Theatre Tax Act, which required stores and theatres to pay an annual license fee to operate. The repealed law imposed a minimal tax (ranging from $1 for the first location to $200 for additional locations beyond 15) based on the number of businesses operated. This bill eliminates the requirement for businesses to pay this outdated tax and obtain a specific license under the 1937 law. The repeal directly affects store and theatre owners who were subject to this obsolete tax, which has been in place for over 80 years with no modern relevance.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates April 2025 as "Sikh Awareness and Appreciation Month" in Pennsylvania. It directly affects all Pennsylvania residents by promoting public awareness of the Sikh faith, recognizing the community's contributions to the state, and aiming to combat anti-Sikh bigotry. The key mechanism is the official symbolic recognition through a state resolution, which does not create new laws or allocate funds. It follows Pennsylvania's tradition of honoring cultural and religious diversity, referencing the Sikh community's historical presence and ongoing positive impacts in areas like agriculture, technology, and community service. The resolution emphasizes education to address discrimination, including statistics on anti-Sikh bias and school bullying faced by Sikh youth.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution designates March 2025 as "Music in Our Schools Month" in Pennsylvania. It recognizes the value of music education in developing students' creativity, problem-solving skills, and cultural understanding, while commending music educators across the state. The resolution does not create new laws, allocate funding, or impose requirements - its sole purpose is to formally acknowledge and support existing music education efforts in Pennsylvania schools during March 2025. It directly affects Pennsylvania public schools and music educators by highlighting their work through a symbolic designation.

Maddy summaryHB 1395 amends the Public School Code of 1949 to revise eligibility requirements and clarify incompatible offices for school directors in Pennsylvania. The bill changes the eligibility requirement from "citizen" to "resident" but adds a new restriction, making individuals ineligible to serve as a school director if an immediate family member is employed by that school district. It also clarifies that certain school employees can serve as school directors in a different district, with specific exceptions for joint schools. Additionally, the bill specifies that employees of career and technical schools, intermediate units, or community colleges cannot serve on the board of their employing institution or be assigned to a position under the supervision of a district where they serve as a school director.

Maddy summaryThis resolution directs Pennsylvania's Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to study the financial and workforce impacts of allowing early retirement for state and public school employees (specifically those aged 55+ or with 30+ years of service) under the State Employees' Retirement System (SERS) and Public School Employees' Retirement System (PSERS). The study must analyze potential cost savings over 1-10 years, effects on workforce composition, and historical data from past early retirement programs (like the 1992-93 initiative). The committee must submit a report to the legislature within one year, detailing findings on budget impacts and staffing alternatives. This is a procedural study resolution - not a policy change - and will inform future decisions about retirement options.

Maddy summaryHB 1373 requires Pennsylvania high schools to administer the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services Test as a civic knowledge assessment to students in grades 7-12 starting in the 2026-2027 school year. Students must score at least 60% on this test to meet a high school graduation requirement. Schools must report compliance data, including participation and passing rates, to the state education department every other year. The bill specifically exempts students with individualized education programs (IEPs) if their IEPs indicate they are not required to take the test.

Maddy summaryHB 684 requires Pennsylvania public schools to adopt evidence-based reading curricula and implement annual reading screenings for kindergarten through third-grade students starting in the 2026-2027 school year. Schools must identify reading deficiencies using approved screeners, notify parents in writing about deficiencies, and provide individualized reading intervention plans for affected students. The bill mandates that educators complete approved professional development training by the 2028-2029 school year to support these requirements. It directly affects K-3 students, their families, and school staff, with specific deadlines for curriculum adoption, screening, and educator training. The law also establishes reporting and accountability measures for school entities to ensure compliance.

Maddy summaryHB 1329 makes it illegal to share secretly recorded videos or images of people in private settings, specifically targeting the transmission of such material via phone, email, internet, or physical media. It directly affects individuals who secretly record others' intimate areas (like genitals or nipples with minimal covering) in places where privacy is expected - such as bathrooms or changing rooms - and then share those recordings. The bill updates Pennsylvania's invasion of privacy law to explicitly prohibit this sharing, with harsher penalties when the victim is a student or minor. This law aims to protect people from non-consensual sharing of intimate content, particularly in vulnerable situations.

Maddy summaryHB 1352 amends Pennsylvania's criminal code to expand the offense of "unlawful contact with a minor." It directly affects individuals who intentionally contact minors (or law enforcement posing as minors) for specific prohibited activities, including sexual offenses, human trafficking involving minors, incest, or sexual exploitation. The bill adds new categories to the existing law, such as human trafficking with sexual servitude involving minors, endangering a child's welfare through sexual contact, and expanded corruption of minors offenses. These changes clarify that contact for these activities - whether initiated by the adult or the minor - is a criminal offense within Pennsylvania. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 1353 clarifies when Pennsylvania Game Commission officers can enter private property for hunting enforcement. It specifies that landowners can prohibit entry by giving actual notice, posting visible signs, fencing, or using purple paint marks (8-inch vertical lines, 3-5 feet high, 100 feet apart). This directly affects hunters and landowners who use these notice methods to restrict officer access. The bill amends existing laws to define enforcement boundaries more precisely, focusing on property access rules rather than new penalties.