Rep. Joe Hamm

Maddy summaryHB 451 reinstates licenses suspended or revoked for failing to comply with Pennsylvania's pandemic-related health orders during the state's emergency period (March 6, 2020, to when the Governor's proclamation ended). It directly affects healthcare professionals and other licensed workers whose licenses were disciplined for non-compliance with specific COVID-19 protocols, including Governor proclamations, health department orders, or pandemic guidance. The bill automatically removes these disciplinary actions from records without requiring new applications or hearings. It takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 450 amends Pennsylvania's Liquor Code to remove disciplinary actions against liquor licensees who had their licenses suspended or revoked for not following pandemic-related health protocols during the state's emergency period (March 2020 to when the emergency ended). The bill requires the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board to automatically reinstate licenses or remove penalties for non-compliance with Governor's orders, health department directives, or official guidance specifically related to COVID-19. This applies only to actions taken during the declared disaster emergency, not for ongoing violations. The policy directly affects bars, restaurants, and other businesses holding liquor licenses that faced penalties during the pandemic.

Maddy summaryHB 454 repeals Pennsylvania's requirement for a license to carry a firearm (openly or concealed) for most individuals, making it legal to carry without a license statewide, including in Philadelphia where previous restrictions on public streets and property are removed. The bill also repeals provisions about proof of license and related exceptions, while maintaining existing prohibitions for convicted felons and other restricted locations like schools. Additionally, it includes a new provision for a sportsman's firearm permit and specific regulations for antique firearms. The changes directly affect law-abiding Pennsylvanians who previously needed a license for general firearm carry.

Maddy summaryHB 445 is a proposed constitutional amendment that would explicitly add "land" to the list of protected items under Pennsylvania's right to security from unreasonable searches and seizures. The amendment updates Article I, Section 8 of the state constitution to state that "the people shall be secure in their persons, houses, papers, land and possessions" from such searches. This change directly affects all Pennsylvania residents by clarifying that land ownership (e.g., property, parcels) is explicitly protected under this constitutional right, mirroring existing protections for other property types. The bill also outlines the procedural steps required for constitutional amendments, including legislative passage and voter approval at the next applicable election. As a proposed amendment, it does not take effect until ratified by voters.

Maddy summaryHB 403 preempts Pennsylvania municipalities from adopting policies that block law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. It prohibits local governments from restricting officers from complying with federal immigration requests, assisting ICE, allowing ICE access to county jails, inquiring about immigration status of people in custody, or sharing release information. The bill establishes an "Immigration Cooperation Fund" to support this cooperation, though specific funding mechanisms are not detailed in the provided text. This directly affects all Pennsylvania cities, towns, counties, and their law enforcement officers, judicial staff, and correctional personnel.

Maddy summaryHB 379 amends Pennsylvania's vehicle registration and driver licensing laws to create new exemptions for agricultural purposes. It exempts certain farm equipment (implements of husbandry, trailers, or semitrailers) from registration when operated between a farmer's home and an annual school-hosted agricultural event, limited to trips under 25 miles. The bill also exempts individuals aged 14 or older from needing a driver's license to operate such equipment on public roads during daylight hours for these specific farm-to-school trips. These changes directly affect Pennsylvania farmers and young agricultural workers traveling to educational events. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 395 allows Pennsylvania to grant provisional certification to emergency medical responders (EMRs) who already hold valid national certification from the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT). This applies to individuals certified as EMRs, first responders, EMTs, AEMTs, or paramedics. The provisional certification is valid for three years and automatically converts to standard Pennsylvania certification after completing the regular triennial registration process. This change eliminates redundant certification requirements for nationally certified EMTs working in Pennsylvania.

Maddy summaryHB 397 (Pennsylvania) allows volunteer fire companies to directly bill insurers for emergency medical services provided by certified EMT firefighters during dispatched emergencies. It affects volunteer fire companies and insurers covering emergency medical services under health insurance policies. The bill enables fire companies to submit separate claims for services rendered at emergency scenes, prohibits insurers from requiring contracts for payment, and imposes fines for false claims ($100 for first offense, $1,000 for repeat). This amendment to the 1921 Insurance Company Law clarifies billing procedures for EMT firefighters without changing existing insurance coverage requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 396 creates an emergency certification pathway for career and technical education (CTE) teachers in Pennsylvania public schools. It allows two routes: (1) educators with valid out-of-state CTE certificates meeting Pennsylvania’s standards, or (2) individuals with at least four years of work experience in the teaching field plus industry certifications. Certificates issued under this bill are valid for eight years and convert to full certification after two years of classroom teaching with performance evidence. The bill directly affects CTE educators seeking quicker entry into Pennsylvania classrooms.

Maddy summaryHB 398 amends Pennsylvania's transportation law to regulate the use of state-owned aircraft by Commonwealth agencies and the General Assembly. It requires officials to sign a declaration confirming flights are for exclusive official business (prohibiting political activities or sporting events), bans lobbyists from using these aircraft, and mandates a publicly accessible monthly flight log detailing trip purposes, event names, sponsors, and attendees. All costs for aircraft use must be paid into a special Aviation Restricted Account. The bill also restricts out-of-state flights to emergencies, as verified by the emergency management agency.