Rep. Carol Hill-Evans

Maddy summaryHB 1663 establishes Pennsylvania's Statewide Imagination Library Program under the Public School Code of 1949, creating a dedicated funding account managed by the Department of Education. The bill directly affects Pennsylvania children, particularly those from birth through age five, by providing free books through the program. Key provisions require the Department of Education to administer the program and manage the Imagination Library of Pennsylvania Restricted Account for funding. The bill is currently under review in the Children & Youth committee after being removed from the legislative table in November 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 458 amends Pennsylvania's judicial procedures to create a new pathway for veterans with mental health disabilities connected to military service to seek postconviction review of their convictions. It directly affects veterans who were convicted of crimes and have a service-connected mental health condition, allowing them to request a court review of their case based on that disability. The bill also modifies sentencing procedures for first-degree murder convictions, though specific changes to sentencing guidelines are not detailed in the provided context. This legislation aims to adjust post-trial processes for these specific groups while maintaining the existing judicial framework.

Maddy summaryHB 1425 amends Pennsylvania's 1971 Tax Reform Code to update taxes on tobacco products and establish a new online directory for electronic nicotine delivery systems (e.g., e-cigarettes). It directly affects tobacco manufacturers, dealers, and e-liquid producers by changing tax rates and requiring manufacturers to submit product information to the new directory. The bill's key provisions include adjusting tax incidence and rates for traditional tobacco products while creating a mandatory, publicly accessible registry for e-liquid products. These changes aim to modernize tax collection and improve product transparency for regulatory oversight.

Maddy summaryHB 1530, the Genetic Information Privacy Act, requires direct-to-consumer genetic testing companies operating in Pennsylvania to protect residents' genetic data. Companies must obtain clear, separate consent for data collection, use, sharing, and retention; implement security measures; and provide consumers with access to or deletion of their data. The bill specifically prohibits sharing genetic data with insurers, employers, or third parties without explicit written consent. Violations could result in $2,500 civil penalties per incident, enforced by the Attorney General’s office. The law applies to Pennsylvania residents and covers genetic data like DNA test results, but excludes research data collected under federal health privacy rules.

Maddy summaryHB 274 amends Pennsylvania's 1936 Unemployment Compensation Law to change eligibility rules for workers seeking benefits. It specifically expands eligibility for individuals fleeing domestic violence by removing barriers to claiming compensation in such cases. The bill also modifies how unemployment compensation rates and benefit amounts are calculated. These changes directly affect unemployed workers in Pennsylvania who qualify under the updated rules. The bill is currently pending in committee after recent amendments.

Maddy summaryHB 2107 would authorize Pennsylvania to join the Interstate Compact for School Psychologists, an existing agreement among states to simplify licensing for school psychologists who wish to work across state lines. The compact would allow school psychologists licensed in one participating state to obtain an equivalent license in another without repeating lengthy application processes, while still requiring them to follow the practice laws of the state where they work. This aims to address school staffing shortages by making it easier for licensed psychologists to relocate, particularly benefiting military families and schools facing workforce gaps. The bill also specifies that Pennsylvania's Governor and Secretary of the Commonwealth must take steps to join the compact and implement its requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 2108 requires online platforms likely accessed by children (e.g., social media, games, educational apps) to conduct data protection impact assessments before launching features. It mandates that companies prioritize children's safety, privacy, and well-being over profits when designing products, prohibits deceptive "dark patterns" that trick kids into sharing data, and bans practices causing physical, psychological, or privacy harms. Covered entities - businesses processing children's personal data - face penalties for violations. The law directly affects digital services targeting minors, focusing on concrete policy changes like mandatory risk assessments and design safeguards.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution designating November 16, 2025, as "Philadelphia Orchestra Day" in Pennsylvania. It honors the orchestra's 125th anniversary and historical significance as a cultural institution, recognizing its contributions to music and community. The resolution has no legal effect or policy changes - it is purely symbolic recognition with no direct impact on residents or funding.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House resolution (HR 382) urges Congress to extend expanded health insurance subsidies that currently help Pennsylvanians purchase coverage through Pennie, the state's health insurance marketplace. Without extension, these subsidies expire December 31, 2025, causing average premium increases of 102% for Pennie customers - projected to push 150,000 people to lose coverage. The resolution highlights that without the expanded credits, a couple earning $85,000 annually would pay $25,776 yearly for insurance (31% of their income), compared to lower costs under current subsidies. It cites Pennie's 2025 enrollment of nearly 500,000 customers and a 16% drop in new sign-ups since Open Enrollment 2026 as evidence of the need for continued support. The resolution has no legal force but requests congressional action to maintain affordability.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Municipalities Planning Code to require developers to notify contiguous municipalities when proposing projects that could affect multiple communities (termed "developments of regional significance"). It establishes new review processes, including mandatory impact analyses and extended approval timelines (90-120 days) for such projects. The bill also modifies requirements for infrastructure completion before final land development approval, allowing financial guarantees instead of physical improvements in some cases. These changes primarily affect developers of large-scale projects and the municipalities they impact.