Rep. Carol Hill-Evans

Maddy summaryHB 1805 would freeze penalties, fines, and fees for taxpayers using deferred payment or installment plans under Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code of 1971. This means no additional charges would accrue on state tax balances paid through these arrangements during the freeze period. The bill directly affects individuals and businesses that have set up installment or deferred payment agreements for their Pennsylvania tax obligations. It modifies the existing tax code to temporarily halt extra fees without altering the underlying tax amounts owed.

Maddy summaryHB 1802 requires all health insurance policies issued in Pennsylvania to cover FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccines with no cost-sharing for enrollees. This applies to insurers offering policies covering medical care (excluding accident-only, dental, or Medicare supplement plans), and mandates that government programs like Medicaid must also provide this coverage without deductibles, copays, or coinsurance. The bill defines "cost-sharing" to exclude premiums but includes standard out-of-pocket expenses, ensuring vaccines remain fully covered. It takes immediate effect and prevents insurers from reducing or eliminating this coverage for existing policies. This directly affects Pennsylvania residents with health insurance and the insurers providing those plans.

Maddy summaryHB 1799 amends Pennsylvania's 1992 Tuition Account Programs law to create the Keystone Scholars Grant Program, which provides financial assistance to students attending eligible postsecondary institutions. It establishes a dedicated Keystone Scholars Grant Program Account to fund this new scholarship initiative, directly affecting students and families participating in tuition savings programs. The bill updates existing program definitions, governance structures, and federal tax provisions while adding this new grant option to support educational access. This change expands the state's existing tuition savings framework without altering current program requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 1794 creates a Waterfront Redevelopment Fund to provide grants for revitalizing waterfront areas across the state. It requires the Department of Community and Economic Development to manage the fund and distribute grants to eligible local projects, such as public access improvements or environmental upgrades. This bill directly affects municipalities, community groups, and developers working on waterfront sites by providing dedicated funding for redevelopment initiatives. The program establishes clear administrative procedures for grant applications and disbursement under the department's oversight.

Maddy summaryHB 1795 requires payroll processing businesses to provide proof of fidelity insurance and surety bonds. This bill directly affects payroll processors by mandating these financial safeguards to cover potential losses from errors or misconduct. The legislation also establishes penalties for processors who fail to meet these requirements. The bill is currently pending in the Labor & Industry committee.

Maddy summaryHB 1796, the Confidential Insurance Communications Protection Act, requires insurers to keep certain health insurance communications confidential for people who fear safety risks (like domestic violence survivors). It allows "protected individuals" to request alternative communication methods (e.g., separate mailing addresses or secure emails) without needing to prove abuse, and insurers must comply within 10 business days. Insurers cannot disclose these requests to policyholders or third parties, deny coverage for making such requests, or require policyholder authorization. Violations would be enforced under Pennsylvania’s Unfair Insurance Practices Act, with potential fines or corrective orders.

Maddy summaryHB 1797 modernizes unit pricing laws for packaged goods (like food or household items) to make price comparisons clearer for consumers. It directly affects businesses selling these products and grants the Department of Agriculture authority to create specific rules for consistent pricing practices. Key provisions include updating outdated pricing standards, requiring clear unit pricing labels (e.g., "per ounce" or "per pound"), and establishing penalties for non-compliance. The bill aims to reduce confusion and ensure transparency in retail pricing without specifying which products are covered.

Maddy summaryHB 1790 establishes a grant program to provide financial assistance to students training to become licensed clinical social workers, marriage and family therapists, and professional counselors in Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) will administer the program, managing applications and disbursements of funds. This bill amends the state's Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors Act to create this new funding opportunity. The program directly benefits students in these mental health professions by helping offset education costs.

Maddy summaryHB 1785 amends Pennsylvania's Workers' Compensation Act to expand coverage for certain cancers diagnosed in workers. It directly affects employees who develop cancer linked to job-related exposures, such as hazardous chemicals or radiation, that were previously not covered under the act. The key provision adds specific cancers to the list of occupational illnesses eligible for compensation, removing the need for workers to prove direct causation beyond standard workplace hazards. The bill is currently pending in the Labor & Industry committee after being referred on August 10, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House resolution designates June 2025 as "Caribbean-American Heritage Month" to honor the contributions of Caribbean Americans to Pennsylvania and the nation. It has no legal effect beyond symbolic recognition, as it is a procedural resolution rather than a law. The measure follows similar past proclamations but does not create new policies or obligations.