Maddy summaryHR 198 is a resolution designating May 6, 2025, as "AKA Day at the Capitol" in Pennsylvania. This day recognizes the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., for its advocacy and service.
Maddy summaryHB 1400 modifies Pennsylvania's film production tax credit by requiring productions employing children to have adults in direct contact with children submit documentation proving compliance with child safety rules. The Department of Revenue will review credit applications, considering the anticipated number of employees under 18, and set application periods of up to 90 days. Taxpayers claiming the credit who fail to meet the expense requirements or this new child contact rule must repay the credit. This bill directly affects film producers in Pennsylvania seeking the tax credit for productions involving children.
Maddy summaryHB 1399 expands Pennsylvania's mandatory child abuse reporting requirements to include film industry workers. It adds to the list of mandated reporters any adult (paid or unpaid) reasonably expected to have direct contact with children during film production, as defined under the Tax Reform Code of 1971. The bill also requires these individuals to submit specific documentation to employers or supervisors before working with children on film sets, aligning them with existing requirements for other child-contact roles. This amendment applies to all film productions in Pennsylvania and takes effect 180 days after enactment.
Maddy summaryHouse Resolution 197 is a commemorative resolution that recognizes and honors the members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. It acknowledges their more than a century of commitment to social activism, academic excellence, and civic engagement in the Commonwealth, specifically on the occasion of "Delta Day" at the State Capitol.
Maddy summaryThis resolution directs Pennsylvania's Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to study implementing location-based pay for state government employees. It requires the committee to examine cost-of-living differences across counties and metro areas, assess how uniform pay affects hiring/retention, evaluate implementation methods (like by county or metro), and analyze fiscal impacts. The study must include specific data points and issue a report to the House within one year. This resolution does not change pay policies but seeks recommendations for potential future adjustments affecting all state employees.
Maddy summaryHB 1367 requires Pennsylvania's Department of Human Services to implement a new child welfare case management subsystem within its enterprise case management system by December 31, 2027. This subsystem will replace current processes, creating a unified digital platform for managing child welfare cases across state agencies, counties, and service providers. It directly affects child welfare workers, county offices, and service agencies handling foster care, abuse investigations, and family support services. The bill sets a specific deadline for this technical upgrade but does not change eligibility rules or funding for child welfare programs.
Maddy summaryHB 1369 amends Pennsylvania's child protective services laws to change how certain reports are handled in the Statewide database. It extends the retention period for unfounded reports and general protective services reports from 1 year to 30 years before they must be removed, with an exception: reports involving children remain in the database until the youngest child identified turns 23. The bill repeals an old provision that allowed expungement of records for perpetrators under 18 at the time of abuse. It directly affects families who had reports deemed unfounded or related to general protective services, as their records will now stay in the system longer before being removed. The changes apply to all such reports processed by county child protective agencies and the state database.
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 1328 creates a new program providing property tax and rent rebates to eligible Pennsylvania veterans. It directly affects veterans honorably discharged from U.S. armed forces (including National Guard) within the past three years who live in Pennsylvania. The bill establishes income-based rebates: $650 for households earning $0-$8,000, $500 for $8,001-$15,000, $300 for $15,001-$18,000, and $250 for $18,001-$35,000 annually. A new Veterans Property Tax Rebate Account will fund these rebates, which apply to real property taxes or rent payments exceeding 15% of household income.
Maddy summaryHB 1349 requires Pennsylvania's Department of Transportation to establish a project labor agreement for highway construction projects (including federally funded ones) when it determines such agreements promote labor stability, cost efficiency, and quality. The bill mandates that contractors and subcontractors on these projects must agree to the agreement, which includes requirements for 10% of the workforce to come from local hiring halls, goals for apprenticeship hours (including underrepresented groups), and guarantees against strikes. It directly affects highway construction contractors, subcontractors, and labor organizations involved in state or federally funded projects. The department must publicly notify about the agreement during bidding and submit annual reports tracking project usage and workforce statistics.
