Rep. Carol Hill-Evans

Maddy summaryHB 813 amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code of 1971 to exempt certain student loan discharges and employer educational assistance from personal income tax. Specifically, it excludes from taxation: (1) the discharge of eligible student loans under qualified federal forgiveness programs, and (2) employer-paid educational assistance that meets federal exclusion rules under Section 127 of the Internal Revenue Code. These exemptions apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025. The bill directly affects Pennsylvania taxpayers who qualify for these specific student loan forgiveness or employer education benefits under federal programs.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates May 2025 as "Menstrual Health Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania. It symbolically recognizes the importance of menstrual health, highlighting issues like limited access to education and hygiene products, stigma, and health disparities affecting women and girls. The resolution does not create new laws, funding, or requirements; it is a formal acknowledgment by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives to raise awareness about these issues. It directly affects Pennsylvanians by designating a month for community education and discussion around menstrual health.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HR 48) formally recognizes May 11-17, 2025, as "National Police Week" and May 15, 2025, as "Peace Officers Memorial Day" in Pennsylvania. It does not create new laws, policies, or funding; it is a ceremonial acknowledgment of existing national observances. The resolution cites historical context, including a 1962 congressional resolution designating May 15 as "Peace Officers Memorial Day" and the surrounding week as "Police Week." It serves only to express the Pennsylvania House of Representatives' symbolic support for honoring law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1401 amends the Public School Code of 1949 by establishing new admission requirements for educator preparation programs. It mandates that applicants for initial preparation programs leading to a bachelor's degree must have completed at least 48 college credit hours with a minimum 2.8 GPA. Applicants for alternative programs must hold a bachelor's degree with a 2.8 GPA, and advanced program applicants need a 2.8 GPA along with professional recommendations. Preparing institutions may admit up to 10% of initial preparation applicants who do not meet the GPA requirement, provided other eligibility criteria are met. These provisions directly affect individuals aspiring to become teachers and the institutions that train them.

Maddy summaryHB 1439 amends Pennsylvania's Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act. The bill requires that the pharmaceutical composition of crystalline polymorph psilocybin be scheduled in Pennsylvania to match federal law immediately upon its approval by the United States Food and Drug Administration. Following federal rescheduling by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the state Secretary of Health must publish notice of this change. The state's rescheduling of this substance will then take effect 30 days after its publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. This process directly affects the legal classification of this specific substance within the Commonwealth.

Maddy summaryHB 1441 proposes significant changes to sentencing and parole eligibility for certain serious offenses in Pennsylvania, applying these changes retroactively. The bill modifies sentences for individuals under 18 convicted of first-degree murder, murder of an unborn child, or murder of a law enforcement officer, replacing "life without parole" with minimum terms of 25 or 35 years to life, making them eligible for parole. It also removes "without parole" from life sentences for repeat violent offenders, allowing them parole consideration. The Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole would gain the power to parole individuals serving life sentences, though it would be prohibited from granting parole to offenders who murdered a law enforcement officer. Additionally, for those serving life sentences, parole consideration would not begin until at least five years of incarceration.

Maddy summaryHB 265 amends Pennsylvania's unemployment compensation law to change eligibility rules for workers at educational institutions, such as teachers or staff employed on a term-by-term basis. It removes a prior requirement that these workers must prove they would not return to the same institution for the next academic term to receive benefits during breaks between terms. This change applies to service performed after the bill's effective date and aligns with federal guidelines (26 U.S.C. § 3304(a)(6)). The bill directly affects temporary and part-time employees in schools and colleges who experience academic breaks.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania bill prohibits real estate service agreements that unfairly bind future property owners, create liens, or allow silent assignment without owner notification. It makes such agreements unenforceable, bans their recording (with misdemeanor penalties), and allows consumers to sue for damages - $5,000 minimum or actual losses, $15,000 for seniors over 60. The law directly affects homeowners and buyers who sign real estate service contracts, ensuring transparency and preventing deceptive terms. It also provides remedies including debt forgiveness, attorney fees, and court orders to void invalid agreements.

Maddy summaryHB 81 prohibits businesses from charging consumers extra fees for paying by mail or choosing paper billing statements. It directly affects consumers who use these payment methods and businesses that currently impose such fees. The law bans additional charges or rate differentials for mail or paper billing but allows businesses to offer incentives (like discounts) for electronic payment or billing options. This amendment to Pennsylvania's Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law takes effect in 60 days.

Maddy summaryHB 1430 would require social media platforms operating in Pennsylvania to protect minors under 16 years old. The bill bans "dark patterns" (deceptive design features that impair user choice) and mandates that platforms allow minors to permanently delete their accounts and personal information so it cannot be retrieved. It also requires platforms to implement a consent process for minors to open accounts. Violations would be subject to penalties under the law.