Rep. Dan Williams

Maddy summaryHB 1539 creates a new grant program to help school districts purchase electric school buses, funded through a dedicated "Electric School Bus Grant Program Fund." It directly affects public school districts seeking to replace diesel buses with electric models by providing financial assistance for vehicle purchases and related infrastructure. The bill requires the Department of Education to administer the program, including setting eligibility rules and distributing funds. The bill is currently pending in the Energy committee after being re-referred there from Education.

Maddy summaryHB 1653 creates competitive grants to help nonprofit early childhood organizations and public school districts establish or expand child-care centers in rural Pennsylvania counties with low population density (under 291 people per square mile). The grants fund facility costs like construction or renovation, and provide two years of salary supplements to ensure child-care staff earn comparable pay to public school teachers. Recipients must partner with local businesses to cover some child-care fees for employees, aiming to maintain staffing levels after the grant period ends. This bill directly supports rural communities facing childcare shortages by making it financially feasible to open or grow quality early childhood programs.

Maddy summaryHB 350 updates Pennsylvania's laws on inheritance, parentage, and court procedures. It establishes the Uniform Parentage Act, creating new rules for establishing parent-child relationships through assisted reproduction, surrogacy agreements, and genetic testing, while repealing outdated paternity acknowledgment provisions. The bill modifies hearing requirements for adoption and parental rights termination, requiring specific notice to putative fathers and clarifying when parental rights may be terminated without their presence. It also adds protections for executors who fail to notify estates about assisted reproduction births that could affect inheritance. These changes directly affect families navigating adoption, surrogacy, inheritance disputes, and court cases involving parentage.

Maddy summaryHB 1095 modifies Pennsylvania court records to limit public access to eviction information in dockets and indices. It directly affects tenants, landlords, and court clerks by restricting how eviction history is shared while requiring the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts to process these records under the new rules. The key provision creates a "limited access" system for eviction data, meaning the public cannot freely view these records as they currently can. This change applies specifically to eviction-related court documents within the state's judicial system. The bill passed the House on June 23, 2025, and was referred to the Judiciary Committee.

Maddy summaryHB 811 would create civil liability for political candidates who make false statements about themselves or others during campaigns. It allows affected individuals or entities to sue for damages if a candidate knowingly makes a fraudulent misrepresentation. The bill directly affects candidates running for office and voters who may be misled by false claims. Key provisions establish a legal pathway for civil lawsuits rather than criminal penalties, requiring proof of intentional falsehoods. This bill is currently in the Communications & Technology committee after passing final passage.

Maddy summaryHB 1498 creates a new legal process for dividing "heirs property" in Pennsylvania - real estate owned by multiple family members through inheritance without clear ownership agreements. It directly affects families holding such property (often rural or minority-owned land), requiring courts to apply specific rules when dividing it, including a right of first refusal for relatives if a cotenant receives an outside purchase offer. Key mechanisms include mandatory settlement conferences before court decisions, defined valuation procedures, and prioritizing family members over outsiders for buying shares. The law replaces older rules for partitioning property and applies automatically to eligible cases unless all owners agree otherwise.

Maddy summaryHR 199 is a ceremonial resolution designating October 2025 as "Breast Cancer Awareness Month" and October 17, 2025, as "National Mammography Day" in Pennsylvania. It does not create new laws, allocate funds, or impose requirements on any individuals or entities; it solely serves to recognize these observances. The resolution aims to raise public awareness about breast cancer prevention and early detection through mammography. As a procedural resolution, it affects no specific group or policy and has no binding effect. The bill was referred to the Health Committee but was later laid on the table (stalled) on June 23, 2025.

Maddy summaryHR 222 is a non-binding resolution designating May 2025 as "Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania. It directly affects Pennsylvania residents by formally recognizing the importance of asthma and allergy awareness during that month. The bill has no funding or regulatory provisions; it serves solely as a symbolic gesture to highlight public health education efforts related to these conditions. As a procedural resolution, it does not create new laws or alter existing policies.

Maddy summaryHB 1631 amends Pennsylvania's bankruptcy exemption rules for court-ordered debts (judgments and liens) under Title 42 of the state statutes. It would directly affect Pennsylvania residents filing for bankruptcy who have outstanding judgments or liens against them, such as from unpaid debts or court rulings. The bill's key provision changes how certain assets are protected during bankruptcy proceedings, specifically adjusting the exemption limits for these types of debts. This creates a concrete policy change in how bankruptcy filers can shield assets from creditors holding judgments or liens. The bill was recently referred to the House Commerce Committee on June 23, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1639 amends Pennsylvania's vehicle code to exempt certain highly automated vehicles from requiring a certificate of compliance. The bill specifically applies to vehicles equipped with automated driving systems that still need a human driver present to take over driving tasks or respond to intervention requests. This change makes it lawful to operate such vehicles on Pennsylvania highways without the additional certification, as long as a human driver is available to assume control. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.