Rep. Wendy Fink

Maddy summaryHB 1544 amends Pennsylvania's state employee retirement system rules, primarily affecting new House of Representatives members starting after December 1, 2026. It requires these new representatives to choose within 30 days of taking office whether to join the retirement system (as a member) or participate solely in the retirement plan (as a "plan participant"). If they fail to make this election, their service as a representative will not count toward future retirement benefits. The bill also clarifies that certain state employees (classified under subsections (a)(12)-(15)) cannot elect system membership.

Maddy summaryHB 1472 requires Pennsylvania's State-related universities (Penn State, Pitt, Temple, Lincoln, and their branch campuses) to conduct independent economic and workforce impact studies before closing any campus. The studies must assess harm to local communities and ensure students have reasonable, affordable education alternatives. Results must be shared with state legislative committees, the Department of Labor and Industry, affected local governments, and legislators representing the campus area. Compliance with this review process is required for universities to receive state funding.

Maddy summaryHB 1473 requires Pennsylvania's state-related universities (Penn State, Pitt, Temple, Lincoln University, and their branches) to submit an alternative education plan to the state Department of Education before closing any campus. The plan must detail how students in the affected region will maintain access to higher education, including options like partnerships with community colleges, satellite classrooms, or tuition assistance. The Department must approve or disapprove the plan within 30 days, and failure to submit a compliant plan or receiving disapproval results in the university losing state funding for that fiscal year. The bill aims to ensure taxpayer-funded institutions maintain educational access, particularly in rural and underprivileged areas, before proceeding with campus closures.

Maddy summaryHB 1474 requires Pennsylvania's state-related universities (including Penn State, Pitt, Temple, and Lincoln University) to create detailed plans before closing branch campuses or significantly reducing operations. The bill mandates that universities submit plans including financial analysis, community impact studies, student impact reports, and access alternatives to the board, followed by a 90-day public comment period with at least three public hearings. Before any closure can proceed, the plan must be approved by the full General Assembly, not just the university board. This directly affects students, rural communities reliant on branch campuses, and local economies by adding legislative oversight to campus closures. The law applies to all state-related universities and their branch campuses starting with the 2025-2026 academic year.

Maddy summaryHB 1489 establishes the Lifeline Scholarship Program, enabling eligible Pennsylvania students to receive financial assistance for tuition and fees at participating nonpublic schools. To qualify, students must be Pennsylvania residents, not have a high school diploma, and meet income criteria (household income below 350% of the federal poverty level) or reside within a low-achieving school's attendance boundary. The State Treasury administers the Lifeline Scholarship Fund, allowing parents to apply for funds covering tuition, school-related fees, and special education services at qualifying nonprofit nonpublic schools. This program amends the Public School Code of 1949 to create a new funding mechanism for student enrollment in nonpublic schools.

Maddy summaryHB 1494 would amend Pennsylvania's Controlled Substance Act to allow ivermectin (for human use) to be sold over-the-counter without a prescription or consultation with a healthcare provider. This change directly affects consumers who can purchase ivermectin at pharmacies or stores without needing a doctor's visit, and pharmacies that would sell it. The bill specifies that ivermectin must be "suitable for human use" to qualify as an over-the-counter medication under state law. It takes effect 60 days after enactment, making this a concrete policy shift in how the medication is distributed in Pennsylvania.

Maddy summaryHB 1408 amends Pennsylvania's 1929 Administrative Code to require all Commonwealth government materials and services - such as printed documents, websites, and public services - to be exclusively in English. This applies to state agencies and local political subdivisions, mandating English as the sole language unless federal law specifically requires otherwise. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment, establishing a clear policy that eliminates the use of non-English materials in official government communications.

Maddy summaryHB 1395 amends the Public School Code of 1949 to revise eligibility requirements and clarify incompatible offices for school directors in Pennsylvania. The bill changes the eligibility requirement from "citizen" to "resident" but adds a new restriction, making individuals ineligible to serve as a school director if an immediate family member is employed by that school district. It also clarifies that certain school employees can serve as school directors in a different district, with specific exceptions for joint schools. Additionally, the bill specifies that employees of career and technical schools, intermediate units, or community colleges cannot serve on the board of their employing institution or be assigned to a position under the supervision of a district where they serve as a school director.

Maddy summaryHB 1394 proposes to repeal the inheritance tax in Pennsylvania, directly affecting estates and beneficiaries who would no longer be subject to this tax on inherited assets. The bill also modifies procedures for taxpayers to petition for a reassessment of taxes. Additionally, it updates existing provisions related to how government-issued obligations are treated for tax purposes.

Maddy summaryHB 1373 requires Pennsylvania high schools to administer the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services Test as a civic knowledge assessment to students in grades 7-12 starting in the 2026-2027 school year. Students must score at least 60% on this test to meet a high school graduation requirement. Schools must report compliance data, including participation and passing rates, to the state education department every other year. The bill specifically exempts students with individualized education programs (IEPs) if their IEPs indicate they are not required to take the test.