Rep. Carol Hill-Evans

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 161) designates May 2025 as "Haitian Heritage Month" in Pennsylvania. It is a symbolic recognition by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, not a policy-changing bill. The resolution highlights Haiti's historical significance - including its 1804 independence, role in ending slavery, cultural influence, and the Haitian diaspora in the U.S. - to celebrate Haitian heritage and contributions. It does not create new laws or affect specific groups, as it is a commemorative resolution.

Maddy summaryHB 1467 amends the Tax Reform Code of 1971, specifically redefining what constitutes "compensation" for personal income tax purposes. The bill explicitly removes "tips" and "gratuities" from the definition of compensation. This means that income earned through tips would no longer be considered taxable compensation under the state's personal income tax, directly affecting individuals who receive such income.

Maddy summaryHB 1464 amends Pennsylvania's Eminent Domain law, affecting property owners whose land may be acquired by an acquiring agency. The bill requires agencies to provide advanced written notice to property owners 30 days before filing a condemnation, detailing their rights and stating that eminent domain is a measure of "last resort." Property owners can challenge whether eminent domain is truly a "last resort," requiring agencies to present alternative options considered. The bill also expands compensation to include the loss of goodwill for businesses or farm operations and updates definitions related to replacement dwellings and marginalized communities.

Maddy summaryHR 93 is a resolution directing Pennsylvania's Joint State Government Commission to study JROTC programs in public schools. It requires the Commission to analyze the programs' overall health, enrollment trends, and factors affecting their availability across the state, including why some schools lack them. The study must be completed within 18 months, with a final report and legislative recommendations submitted to the General Assembly. This resolution does not change existing JROTC programs but seeks to gather data to inform future decisions. It directly affects school districts operating or considering JROTC programs by requesting a formal assessment of their status.

Maddy summaryHR 60 is a resolution directing Pennsylvania's Joint State Government Commission to study the state's sports betting and online gambling industry. The study will examine marketing tactics like ads during sports broadcasts, bonus promotions, and celebrity endorsements, and assess their impact on problem gambling, gambling debt, and children's exposure to betting ads. It will also review current regulations and propose specific recommendations for new rules to address these concerns. The findings will inform future legislative decisions without immediately changing existing laws.

Maddy summaryThis resolution formally recognizes May 2025 as "Older Americans Month" in Pennsylvania. It does not create new programs, allocate funds, or change existing laws; it is a symbolic gesture honoring older Pennsylvanians. The resolution references the 60th anniversary of the Older Americans Act and the 2025 observance theme, "Flip the Script on Aging," but contains no binding policy requirements. It is a non-binding declaration by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

Maddy summaryHB 526 protects mothers' right to breastfeed their children in any public or private location where they are otherwise permitted to be, without being considered indecent exposure, a nuisance, or obscenity. It defines "breastfeeding" to include both direct feeding and expressing milk for bottle-feeding, and creates a private right to sue for violations, allowing recovery of $1,000 per incident plus attorney fees. The law applies broadly across Pennsylvania, ensuring mothers can feed their children without legal interference while maintaining existing protections from the repealed 2007 Freedom to Breastfeed Act.

Maddy summaryHB 1447 requires Pennsylvania schools to create written policies allowing students to carry and self-administer asthma inhalers, epinephrine auto-injectors, and adrenal insufficiency medications. Schools must verify students' ability to use these medications safely, store them securely, and notify staff after use - while ensuring students with medical needs can access treatment without disrupting classes. The bill also mandates training for school staff to administer adrenal insufficiency medication during emergencies and directs the state health and education departments to provide resources on proper medication use. This directly affects students with asthma, severe allergies, or adrenal insufficiency, as well as school districts and staff responsible for health protocols.

Maddy summaryHB 1449 amends Pennsylvania law regarding the expenses paid by the Office of the Court Administrator of Pennsylvania (OCAP). It increases the annual registration fee OCAP pays to the Special Court Judges Association of Pennsylvania from $200 to $400 for each magisterial district judge and Philadelphia Municipal Court Judge position. The bill clarifies that OCAP directly funds a monthly journal for legal updates, while other expenses, such as the registration fee, are covered by the annual appropriation for magisterial district judges.

Maddy summaryHB 1453 establishes a program to create "food desert opportunity zones" in low-income areas with limited access to supermarkets or large grocery stores. Political subdivisions can apply to the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) to designate up to 12 such zones statewide. Qualified healthy food retail outlets operating within these designated zones may receive food desert opportunity tax credits for up to five years, starting January 1, 2026. The bill outlines the criteria for zone designation and for businesses to qualify for these tax credits.