Rep. Scott Conklin

Maddy summaryHouse Resolution 103 designates April 2025 as "National Volunteer Month" in Pennsylvania. The resolution encourages all residents to engage in volunteer activities, highlighting community benefits such as building social connections, supporting local resilience, and providing personal fulfillment as outlined in the resolution's preamble. It does not create new laws or require specific actions, serving as a symbolic recognition of volunteerism's value.

Maddy summaryHB 838 creates a program allowing qualified health care facilities - such as hospitals, medical specialist centers, and physical therapy centers - to issue temporary disability parking placards valid for up to six months. Individuals seeking a temporary placard must apply directly to an enrolled facility and sign a statement confirming they meet the disability criteria. The facility then requires a health care provider to certify the disability and submit the application electronically to the state department to update records. This change streamlines access to temporary parking permits without requiring individuals to go through the state’s standard application process.

Maddy summaryHB 821 amends Pennsylvania's Human Services Code to require the Department of Human Services to add assisted living services and supplemental health care services to the Community HealthChoices Medicaid program within 60 days. This change directly affects licensed assisted living residences, allowing them to become certified as medical assistance providers for these services. The bill mandates that the department submit necessary documentation to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to implement the expansion. The policy change will enable these facilities to participate in the state's Medicaid program for covered services. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHouse Resolution 98 designates March 2025 as "National Athletic Training Month" in Pennsylvania. It recognizes the work of athletic trainers who provide specialized health care services - including injury prevention, emergency care, and rehabilitation - and acknowledges their role in settings like schools, hospitals, and sports organizations. The resolution urges Pennsylvania residents to learn more about athletic training as a health care profession, though it does not create new laws or requirements.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 96) designates March 8, 2025, as "International Women's Day" in Pennsylvania. It formally recognizes women's contributions across all sectors of Pennsylvania society without creating new laws or policies. The resolution encourages residents to participate in events celebrating women's achievements and leadership, including noting the record number of women serving in the state legislature. It is a symbolic gesture by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, not a legislative change affecting specific groups or programs.

Maddy summaryHB 794 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to clarify the definition of community colleges and update the State Board of Education's authority over them. The bill defines "community college" to include institutions offering two-year programs, career education, college-parallel courses, and services for high school students. It requires the State Board to set standards for facilities, curriculum, faculty, admission, and student enrollment, while allowing community colleges to award a bachelor's degree in nursing to students with an associate nursing degree. These changes directly affect Pennsylvania community colleges and their students by standardizing operations and expanding degree options.

Maddy summaryHB 775 creates tax credits for Pennsylvania businesses hiring "phoenix employees" (workers who were out of the workforce for two years or received a 50%+ pay increase) in high-demand occupations. Companies can claim a credit equal to twice the state personal income tax rate on qualifying employees' earnings, applied against corporate, franchise, or personal income taxes. The bill limits annual credits to $150,000 in the first year, $300,000 in the second, and $450,000 thereafter, with $15 million allocated for the first year. Businesses must commit to retaining employees for three years and maintaining operations in Pennsylvania for five years to qualify. The credit directly affects employers in high-demand fields and workers reentering the workforce after extended gaps.

Maddy summaryHB 748 requires all Pennsylvania public and charter schools (including cyber schools) to include litter prevention education in science classes for students in kindergarten through fifth grade starting in the 2026-2027 school year. The bill mandates that this instruction be integrated into existing science curricula using materials developed by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. It focuses on teaching students about making environmentally sound choices to preserve the state's natural beauty. The law applies to all school entities defined in the Public School Code and takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 732 amends Pennsylvania's domestic relations law to help domestic violence victims gain independence from abusers tied to shared telephone plans. The bill requires courts to order abusers to remove victims from shared phone contracts within three days and cover any termination fees. It also mandates telecommunications providers to let victims opt out without fees or penalties when presenting valid documentation like a protection order or police report, and to provide a new phone number within 24 hours. This directly affects domestic violence victims who are financially or contractually linked to abusers through shared phone accounts. The law applies to phone plans entered into on or after its effective date.

Maddy summaryHB 636 amends Pennsylvania's disabled veterans' real estate tax exemption law by extending the review period for exemption eligibility from every five years to every ten years. The bill requires the Pennsylvania Veterans' Commission to reassess applicants' economic status at least once every decade to determine if they still qualify for the exemption. This change directly affects disabled veterans currently receiving the tax exemption, as it delays the periodic review of their eligibility. The key provision modifies Section 8904(3) of Title 51 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, shifting the review cycle without altering the exemption's eligibility criteria or benefits. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.