Rep. Lee James

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates February 2025 as "Career and Technical Education Month" in Pennsylvania. It does not create new laws or funding but formally recognizes the importance of career and technical education (CTE) programs through a state-wide observance. The resolution highlights CTE's role in providing students with skills, credentials, and pathways to stable careers, noting that approximately 68,576 students (12% of high school grades) participated in CTE programs in 2024. It directly affects Pennsylvanians by raising public awareness of CTE's value to students, businesses, and the state's economy.

Maddy summaryHB 247 amends Pennsylvania's eminent domain laws to improve notice procedures for property owners (condemnees) and government entities (condemnors). It requires certified mail with return receipt for all critical notices, including condemnation filings, viewer appointments, and hearing schedules, replacing previous "registered mail" standards. This ensures verifiable delivery of notices to property owners, mortgagees, and lienholders at least 30 days before hearings. The bill directly affects anyone involved in eminent domain proceedings, making the process more transparent and trackable. It takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 216 amends Pennsylvania's Human Services Code to strengthen fraud and abuse controls in the medical assistance program (Medicaid). It adds a definition of "Representation" to clarify communications used for billing or determining reimbursement rates, and updates prohibited acts to explicitly include making false or misleading statements in claims or records. The bill expands specific prohibitions to cover submitting claims for medically unnecessary services, misrepresenting services provided, or billing for non-rendered care. These changes directly affect healthcare providers and practitioners who bill the state's Medicaid program by providing clearer standards for compliance. The amendments aim to improve enforcement of existing penalties without creating new ones.

Maddy summaryHB 271 establishes a grant program to help financially struggling or geographically isolated hospitals in Pennsylvania avoid closing or cutting services. Hospitals must meet specific criteria (e.g., three consecutive years of financial losses or being over 25 miles from another hospital) and apply through the Department of Health to receive funds. Grants must be used solely to maintain operations - prohibiting executive pay - and applicants must certify they’ve explored partnerships with other providers. The Department of Health will review applications within 60 days and award funds until December 31, 2029, or until the allocated budget is exhausted.

Maddy summaryHB 251 requires Pennsylvania's public institutions of higher education (including community colleges, state universities, and specific technical colleges) to report to the Department of Education before traveling to foreign nations for academic, cultural, or research activities. Institutions must submit detailed reports one year in advance, including costs, duration, funding sources, purpose, and benefits to Pennsylvania. The Department of Education will post these reports online for at least five years, making them publicly accessible. This bill does not alter funding or program requirements but mandates transparency around international partnerships involving student or staff travel.

Maddy summaryHB 217 amends Pennsylvania's tax code to require businesses to deduct start-up costs (like initial expenses for new ventures) entirely in the year incurred, rather than spreading deductions over multiple years as permitted under federal rules. This change affects new businesses and entrepreneurs with start-up expenses by altering how they calculate state personal income tax. The bill also allows business net losses to offset other income in the same tax year. These provisions apply to tax years beginning after December 31, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 215 requires every public school in Pennsylvania to employ at least one certified professional librarian. The bill amends the Public School Code of 1949 to mandate that each school must have a librarian certified under Pennsylvania law (24 Pa.C.S. § 9319). This directly affects all public schools statewide by establishing a new staffing requirement for library professionals. The provision takes effect 60 days after the bill is enacted, with no exemptions specified. The change applies uniformly to all public schools, regardless of size or location.

Maddy summaryHB 210 requires businesses (such as restaurants, hotels, and retail stores) to post signs in visible restroom locations - including stalls, mirrors, and above hand dryers - with the National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline number (1-888-373-7888) and a statement about legal protections for trafficking victims. The signs must be at least 8.5x11 inches, feature the hotline number in bold and large font, and be available in English, Spanish, and any other language required by the Voting Rights Act in the business's county. The Department of Labor and Industry will design and provide the sign template online for businesses to print. This law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 124 amends Pennsylvania's Regulatory Review Act to require state agencies to provide detailed documentation when adopting guidance from international bodies like the World Health Organization, United Nations, or World Economic Forum. Specifically, agencies must submit a regulatory analysis form including (1) a statement showing how the international guidance applies to Pennsylvania, and (2) a detailed explanation of the data source used to justify its applicability, with the burden of proof on the agency. This applies to all new proposed regulations that reference such international guidance. The bill adds these requirements to the existing review process for state regulations, effective 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 126 amends Pennsylvania's Election Code to update the affidavit candidates must file with their nomination petitions for public office. It requires candidates to affirm their residence, eligibility, and that they are not running for multiple offices in the same election, while also confirming compliance with election laws and campaign finance rules. For party positions like delegates or committee members, the affidavit must state party membership and that the candidate isn't seeking the same office through multiple parties. This applies to all candidates for state, county, city, and local offices, except presidential candidates who only need to provide a mailing address in their petition.