Rep. Carol Hill-Evans

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's standby guardianship laws to clarify definitions and streamline the process for seeking court approval of a designated guardian. It directly affects parents who want to name a standby guardian to care for their minor children if the parent becomes incapacitated, disabled, absent, or passes away. The key provision requires specific documentation to prove the triggering event has occurred before a standby guardian can file a petition for court approval, including medical determinations, consent forms, absence documentation, or a death certificate. The changes take effect 60 days after the bill is enacted.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates the week of April 11 through 17, 2026, as "Black Maternal Health Week" in Pennsylvania to raise awareness about maternal health disparities affecting Black women. The resolution highlights statistics showing that Black women in the state face significantly higher pregnancy-related death rates compared to other groups, with many cases deemed preventable. It does not create new funding or policy requirements but serves as a symbolic gesture to focus public and legislative attention on the issue. The measure is sponsored by multiple representatives and referred to the Committee on Children and Youth for consideration.

Maddy summaryHB 1247 prohibits law enforcement officers from using deception - such as false promises of leniency or misleading information - during custodial interrogations of individuals with intellectual disabilities or autism. Any confession obtained through such deception would be presumed inadmissible in criminal or juvenile court cases for offenses that would be misdemeanors or felonies if committed by an adult. The state (Commonwealth) must prove the confession was voluntary by a preponderance of evidence to overcome this presumption, shifting the burden of proof from the defense to the prosecution. This applies to all custodial interrogations conducted at police stations or other detention facilities.

Maddy summaryHB 1964 imposes a temporary pause (moratorium) on selling or leasing public water and wastewater systems to private companies. It creates a Water Utility Reform Working Group to develop recommendations for system management and reform. The bill also repeals specific rules about how acquired water systems are valued. This directly affects communities that own public water systems and their residents, as it delays potential privatization and sets up a process for reviewing system operations.

Maddy summaryHR 327 is a resolution directing the Joint State Government Commission to study how to reduce food waste in the state using multiple strategies, considering existing infrastructure. It would evaluate practical approaches for decreasing food waste across the Commonwealth, focusing on what is currently feasible. The resolution itself does not change laws or funding but would produce a report to inform future policy decisions. This study would be conducted by the Commission, with findings potentially guiding future legislative action on food waste reduction.

Maddy summaryHR 58 is a resolution urging Congress to propose a constitutional amendment banning slavery and involuntary servitude as punishments for criminal offenses. It directly targets a legal exception in the 13th Amendment that currently permits such practices within the criminal justice system. The resolution itself has no legal effect but seeks to initiate the constitutional amendment process to address this longstanding exception.

Maddy summaryHB 879 would change Pennsylvania law to allow both state and local prosecutors to pursue charges for riot, disorderly conduct, and related offenses that currently fall under state jurisdiction alone. This bill directly affects law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and individuals charged with these specific offenses by expanding who can bring legal action. The key provision establishes "concurrent jurisdiction," meaning local district attorneys and the state attorney general could both prosecute the same case without requiring state involvement. The bill aims to streamline enforcement for these offenses but does not alter the penalties or definitions of the crimes themselves.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Pennsylvania health care facilities, including emergency departments and urgent care centers, to adopt standardized protocols for identifying and assisting patients who may be victims of human trafficking. The Department of Health is tasked with creating these guidelines within 180 days, which will include trauma-informed screening questions, private interview procedures, and specific steps for referring individuals to support services even if they do not wish to involve law enforcement. To ensure staff are prepared, the law mandates that all clinical and patient-facing employees complete initial training upon hiring and undergo continuing education every two years. Additionally, facilities must annually report de-identified data on screenings and referrals to the Department of Health, which will then submit a summary report to the General Assembly.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's Physical Therapy Practice Act to formally define "dry needling" and expand the scope of services available to licensed physical therapists. It mandates that only physical therapists who complete a board-approved certification program may perform dry needling, while explicitly excluding this practice from the duties of physical therapist assistants. The legislation also clarifies the definitions of physical therapy to include a broader range of interventions such as mechanical stimulation and wellness promotion. These changes aim to standardize training requirements and delineate the specific responsibilities of different therapy professionals within the state.

Maddy summaryHB 562 amends Pennsylvania's 1883 law governing federal lands to explicitly include juvenile cases under the state's retained "concurrent jurisdiction." This means Pennsylvania courts will maintain authority over juvenile matters occurring on federal lands (like post offices) that were previously ceded to the U.S. government. The bill updates the 1883 statute to clarify that the state retains this specific jurisdiction, ensuring juvenile cases are handled under Pennsylvania law rather than solely federal authority. As a procedural amendment to existing law, it does not create new policy but formalizes current practice.