Rep. Carol Hill-Evans

Maddy summaryHB 2167 is a purely editorial amendment to Pennsylvania's Public School Code of 1949. It updates references from "approved private school" to "approved special education school" in multiple sections (including Section 1376) that govern funding for students with disabilities. The bill makes no changes to funding formulas, payment amounts, or eligibility rules - only correcting outdated terminology to specifically reference special education schools. This adjustment ensures the law accurately reflects the type of institutions providing specialized education services.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits payment card networks (like Visa or Mastercard) from charging fees based on the full transaction amount that includes Pennsylvania's sales tax. It specifically bans interchange fees that calculate charges using the total amount (including tax) and prevents networks from raising fees to circumvent this rule. Merchants who accept credit/debit cards and payment networks are directly affected, as they can no longer impose these tax-inclusive fees. Violations of these provisions could result in penalties under the new law.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates January 1, 2026, as "Haitian Independence Day" in Pennsylvania. It formally recognizes Haiti's 1804 independence from colonial rule and honors the Haitian Revolution's historical significance, including its impact on Black resistance movements in Pennsylvania. The resolution directly acknowledges Pennsylvania's Haitian community, which numbers over 27,000 residents, and commemorates the legacy of Haiti as the world's first Black Republic. As a symbolic gesture, it does not create new laws or policies.

Maddy summaryThe context provided does not include sufficient details about HB 331's specific provisions, who it affects, or its key mechanisms. The bill title mentions amending judicial statutes regarding "surcharge" for facilities and supplies, but no concrete policy changes, affected parties, or operational details are described in the available information. Without the full text or explanatory summaries of the bill, a factual summary cannot be accurately generated. Procedural actions (like being "laid on the table") do not describe the bill's content.

Maddy summaryHB 603 extends the time employees have to file a lawsuit after retaliation under Pennsylvania's Whistleblower Law, changing the deadline from 180 days to two years. It clarifies that successful whistleblowers can recover back pay, reinstatement of benefits and seniority, and full legal costs including attorney fees. The bill also specifies that punitive damages may be awarded only if retaliation was intentional or showed reckless disregard for employee rights. These changes directly affect Pennsylvania employees who report violations of state, local, or federal law and face retaliation. The bill does not create new protections but strengthens enforcement mechanisms for existing whistleblower safeguards.

Maddy summaryHB 1648 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to establish "mental health days" as an excused absence for students, directly affecting public, nonpublic, and private school students. Schools must adopt policies by the 2026-2027 school year allowing up to two consecutive days off for mental or physical fatigue due to mental health-related stressors, whether certified (like anxiety) or uncertified (like bullying or family trauma). The bill prohibits more than three mental health days in a week or two consecutive weeks, except as permitted by school policies. The state Department of Education will develop model guidelines within 90 days to help schools implement these policies.

Maddy summaryHB 1966 proposes amendments to Pennsylvania's judicial statutes to improve cooperation with courts and law enforcement in other states. It would allow Pennsylvania courts to assist out-of-state tribunals with serving legal documents and issuing subpoenas within Pennsylvania, and permit officers from other states to make arrests in Pennsylvania without local warrants. The bill also updates definitions related to detainers and extradition, clarifying the Governor's role in handling fugitives from justice. These changes aim to streamline interstate legal processes for courts, law enforcement, and litigants.

Maddy summaryHB 1643 modifies Pennsylvania law to clarify how courts enforce foreign judgments. It prohibits courts from enforcing foreign judgments related to reproductive health care services, including pregnancy-related care, contraception, or abortion. The bill specifies that such judgments cannot be enforced against providers for services delivered in medical facilities. This change applies to all foreign judgments filed in Pennsylvania courts under the existing enforcement procedures. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 1641 prohibits Pennsylvania medical liability insurers from taking adverse actions against healthcare providers who offer legal reproductive health services, including abortion care via telemedicine, to out-of-state patients. It specifically bans insurers from refusing coverage renewals, raising premiums, or reporting providers solely for providing such services that comply with Pennsylvania law. The law applies to providers prescribing medication to terminate pregnancies for out-of-state patients using telemedicine. This directly affects insurers and healthcare providers serving patients in states with stricter abortion laws, preventing insurance penalties for legal telemedicine care.

Maddy summaryHB 1640 protects patient privacy for reproductive health care records in Pennsylvania. It requires healthcare providers (covered entities) to obtain written permission from patients before sharing records related to permitted reproductive services - such as pregnancy care, contraception, or abortion - except in limited circumstances like court orders, abuse investigations, or legal defense needs. The law explicitly preserves existing confidentiality protections under other state laws, including those for mental health and domestic violence services. It applies directly to patients seeking reproductive health care and the healthcare providers handling their records.