Rep. Dan Williams

Maddy summaryHB 1576 updates Pennsylvania's Human Services Code to change how counties receive payments for child welfare services. It requires counties to submit detailed reports on their service delivery for state review before payments are finalized. This directly affects counties that provide child welfare programs by adding reporting requirements to the payment process. The bill modifies existing payment rules to improve oversight and ensure funds align with actual service provision.

Maddy summaryHB 1573 amends Pennsylvania's Human Services Code to improve access to services for children and youth. It requires human services agencies to collect and report more detailed statistics on service usage and outcomes, and provides funding for research to evaluate program effectiveness. These changes aim to make service delivery more responsive to community needs by strengthening data collection and research support within existing youth-focused programs. The bill directly affects children, youth, and agencies administering human services programs under the code.

Maddy summaryHB 1319 amends Pennsylvania's Mechanics' Lien Law of 1963 by updating the definition of "Materials" to explicitly include "rented equipment reasonably necessary for construction." This change directly affects contractors, suppliers, and property owners involved in construction projects who use lien claims to secure payment. The bill clarifies that equipment rented for construction - like scaffolding or heavy machinery - counts as "Materials" under lien law, ensuring it qualifies for payment protection. The amendment makes the existing law clearer but does not create new requirements or obligations. The bill passed in July 2025 and takes effect 90 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 1762 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to establish a 12-month residency requirement for in-state tuition at public colleges and universities. It directly affects students enrolling at Pennsylvania's public higher education institutions (including community colleges, State System universities, and State-related institutions) starting in the fall 2025 semester. To qualify for lower in-state tuition rates, students must have lived in Pennsylvania continuously for at least 12 months prior to enrollment. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, or immediately thereafter.

Maddy summaryHB 1760 establishes a 5% minimum annual participation goal for veteran business enterprises (including service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses) in Pennsylvania's state procurement contracts. It requires the Department of General Services to verify business certifications, maintain a directory of qualified veteran-owned businesses, and provide assistance to help these businesses compete for contracts. The bill also creates an "aspirational target" for participation that can be adjusted every five years after a disparity study, and allows agencies to request waivers for specific contract goals. This applies to Commonwealth agencies purchasing goods or services under Titles 51, 62, and 74 of Pennsylvania law.

Maddy summaryHB 1757 creates a voluntary Pennsylvania firefighter cancer registry managed by the Department of Health. It requires collecting anonymized data from firefighters, including fire incident types, work history, health information, and demographics, to link with existing cancer registry data. The registry aims to identify cancer trends and regional disparities among firefighters, with annual reports to the Governor and legislature containing findings and recommendations. All data remains confidential and cannot be used in court or for disciplinary actions. The registry will also make de-identified data available for public research without fees.

Maddy summaryHB 1754 amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code of 1971 to update the definition of "compensation" for personal income tax purposes. It specifically clarifies that "compensation" includes salaries, wages, bonuses, and certain deferred income payments under federal law, while explicitly excluding government benefits like Medicaid, SNAP (food stamps), TANF, and retirement payments. The bill does not change tax rates or create new taxes but provides clearer rules for what counts as taxable income under the state's tax code. This technical update primarily affects how Pennsylvania employers and taxpayers report income for state tax filing.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1755 amends Pennsylvania's Public Utilities code to include "tow truck operators" and "towing" in its official definitions. The bill grants the Public Utility Commission the authority to set insurance requirements for tow truck operators, similar to existing regulations for motor carriers. It mandates that all tow truck operators must carry public liability insurance or a surety bond for each vehicle, providing a minimum of $750,000 in coverage for accident claims involving bodily injury, death, or property damage.

Maddy summaryHB 564 updates Pennsylvania law to establish a new mental health crisis response system. It requires the Department of Human Services to create and operate this system, including training crisis responders and coordinating care. The bill directly affects individuals experiencing mental health crises and the state agencies responsible for emergency mental health services. Key provisions mandate specific duties for DHS to ensure timely, accessible crisis support statewide. The bill passed final passage on July 14, 2025, and is now under review by the Health & Human Services committee.

Maddy summaryHB 1424 amends Pennsylvania's Local Tax Enabling Act to prohibit local governments from taxing admission fees at recreational campgrounds. It adds a new restriction (section 18) preventing municipalities from levying amusement taxes on guest charges for campground access. The bill also clarifies that camping property rentals aren't considered "places of amusement" for tax purposes. This change affects all local authorities covered by the original tax law, including cities, towns, and school districts.