Rep. Carol Hill-Evans

Maddy summaryHB 2172 simplifies transferring a decedent's primary residence in small estates by allowing a "small estate primary residence affidavit" process. It directly affects surviving spouses, descendants, or ascendants of someone who died owning a primary residence valued at $150,000 or less, without requiring full probate. The bill establishes a county-based process where a sworn affidavit (with income verification below 120% of federal poverty guidelines to waive fees) can transfer the home, bypassing court-appointed administrators. The law expires seven years after implementation and includes a requirement for the Local Government Commission to study its effectiveness after five years.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Human Relations Act to allow individuals who have been subject to or witnessed civil rights violations by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents or cooperating federal/state/local law enforcement during immigration enforcement to file complaints with the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission. The Commission can then refer these complaints to the state Attorney General or the relevant county district attorney. It directly affects Pennsylvanians experiencing or witnessing such violations within the state. The change expands the Commission's authority to address immigration-related enforcement issues under state law.

Maddy summaryHB 2183 requires Pennsylvania utility companies (including electricity and natural gas providers) to notify customers when their fixed-rate billing period is ending. Specifically, providers must send two notices: one at least 60 days before the fixed rate ends, and a second at least 30 days before. If a customer continues service after the fixed rate period ends, the company must confirm this change with at least one monthly notice for the first three months. This applies directly to all Pennsylvania utility customers with fixed-rate plans, ensuring clearer communication about rate changes.

Maddy summaryHB 2181 amends Pennsylvania's Controlled Substance Act to define "opioid antagonist" as drugs approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for emergency reversal of opioid overdoses, including naloxone hydrochloride and similar FDA-approved medications. The bill specifically adds these examples to the legal definition within the existing law. This change directly affects healthcare providers, emergency responders, and pharmacists who administer these medications during opioid overdose emergencies by clarifying the legal scope of approved treatments.

Maddy summaryHB 2180 requires Pennsylvania's Department of Corrections to notify counties when land containing a permanently closing state correctional facility is offered for sale. The bill mandates that 2% of the facility's total acreage (including road access) be reserved for transfer to the county at no cost, solely for developing affordable housing. Counties must accept this offer within 60 days by submitting a resolution and development plan, and must begin constructing affordable housing units within five years, with units available for lease within ten years of the land transfer. If counties fail to meet these deadlines, the land reverts to the Commonwealth. This bill directly affects counties where correctional facilities are closing, the Department of Corrections, and future affordable housing projects on former prison land.

Maddy summaryHB 2182 amends Pennsylvania's Controlled Substance Act to allow emergency medical services (EMS) providers to administer opioid overdose medications, specifically naloxone and nalmefene, as part of their standard practice. The bill requires the Department of Health to update EMS provider regulations to include these medications within their scope of practice. This change directly affects EMS personnel by enabling them to respond to opioid overdoses more effectively without needing additional authorization during emergencies. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 1129 amends Pennsylvania's corporate tax code to establish a new program allowing businesses to transfer unused net operating losses to other corporations, directly affecting companies with tax losses they previously couldn't utilize. The bill repeals outdated penalty provisions and a repealer clause from the 1971 tax code while adding new penalties for non-compliance. Key provisions include creating a formal mechanism for loss transfers and updating tax enforcement rules. This bill is pending in the legislature (last reported as committed on 2025-09-10) and would change how corporations manage tax liabilities under Pennsylvania law.

Maddy summaryHB 1304 requires Pennsylvania to conduct annual stress tests on state pension systems for both education and state government sectors. The bill mandates that relevant boards submit test results - including scenario and sensitivity analyses - to the Governor, General Assembly, and Independent Fiscal Office by April 1 (education) or October 1 (state government). The Independent Fiscal Office must then produce a summary report by June 1 (education) or December 1 (state government), including a calculation of projected pension contributions relative to state revenues. This directly affects state pension systems, covering public employees and retirees, by establishing regular, transparent assessments of pension fund financial health.

Maddy summaryHB 2164 would create a program allowing family members of Pennsylvania medical assistance recipients to become certified complex care assistants. These family members would provide specific medical services at home - such as feeding, catheter care, and medication administration - under a registered nurse's supervision after completing 75 hours of training and passing a competency evaluation. The program targets recipients under 21, those eligible for private duty nursing, or those needing both services for medical reasons, with home health agencies reimbursed at a minimum of $45 per hour. It explicitly requires the services to supplement, not replace, existing private duty nursing under the medical assistance program.

Maddy summaryHB 1671 amends Pennsylvania's sentencing laws to require courts to consider restorative justice programs when sentencing individuals convicted of crimes. This directly affects people in Pennsylvania's criminal justice system who are facing sentencing decisions. The bill adds specific provisions requiring judges to evaluate whether restorative justice - where offenders repair harm to victims and communities - can be applied alongside traditional sentencing. It aims to expand judicial options beyond incarceration by formally integrating these community-focused approaches into sentencing considerations.