Rep. Nikki Rivera

Maddy summaryHB 841 requires Pennsylvania state agencies to complete an annual survey of all Commonwealth-owned real property by March 1 each year. Agencies must identify surplus land and, in consultation with the Department of Community and Economic Development, assess each surplus parcel's potential for affordable housing development for very low-income, low-income, and middle-income households. The Department of Community and Economic Development will compile these surveys, report to the legislature, and evaluate whether surplus properties can be transferred to other agencies for more appropriate use. This bill amends the Administrative Code of 1929 to establish these annual requirements for managing state-owned property.

Maddy summaryHB 823 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to replace annual fire drills with "school security drills" in all public school buildings. It requires schools to conduct one security drill per year (after the first 90 days of school), with specific rules: drills must be age-appropriate, avoid violent simulations (like fake weapons or injuries), include mental health professionals, and require 7 days' advance notice to parents. Schools must also hold a debriefing period with mental health support immediately after each drill. This bill directly affects all Pennsylvania public schools and their students, shifting focus from fire safety to comprehensive security planning.

Maddy summaryHB 824 amends Pennsylvania's Conservation and Natural Resources Act to require the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to prioritize grant applications for playgrounds, playground equipment, and recreation areas that address accessibility for people with disabilities. The bill specifies that projects must include features like ramped play areas, accessible swings, wheelchair-friendly tables, and adaptations for blind or visually impaired individuals to receive priority. It mandates that the department favor universally designed recreation areas - where all equipment and the space itself are fully accessible - over projects with only partial accessibility. This change directly affects communities applying for state grants to build or improve local playgrounds, ensuring new facilities meet inclusive design standards from the start.

Maddy summaryHB 803 requires Pennsylvania high schools (grades 9-12) to maintain opioid antagonists like naloxone (Narcan) on-site and train staff to use them during suspected overdose emergencies. Schools must develop a policy within 60 days with the Department of Education, detailing safe storage, administration procedures, and mandatory hospital transport after use. Trained staff, including nurses or teachers, can administer the medication in good faith without facing legal liability, criminal charges, or professional penalties. This law directly affects all public, charter, private, and nonpublic high schools in Pennsylvania, aiming to improve emergency response to opioid overdoses among students and staff.

Maddy summaryHB 774 requires all newly elected or appointed school directors in Pennsylvania to complete a 14-hour training program within their first year, covering topics like academics, trauma-informed approaches (min. 1 hour), finances, governance, and ethics. Existing directors must complete 4 hours annually of advanced training on updated laws, finances, and trauma-informed practices. The bill also applies similar 14-hour initial and 4-hour annual requirements to charter school trustees, with all training provided at no cost by the Department of Education. These provisions take effect for the 2026-2027 school year, replacing current training requirements that expire after 2025-2026.

Maddy summaryHB 778 establishes a three-year pilot program to increase pre-kindergarten (Pre-K) teacher salaries in Pennsylvania to match those of elementary school teachers with similar qualifications. It directly affects Pre-K teachers working in programs located in high-poverty areas (school districts with ≥20% poverty or census tracts at ≤80% of the statewide median poverty level). The program requires the Department of Education to calculate salary gaps using a specific formula, provide subsidies to eligible Pre-K programs to close those gaps, and collect data for a legislative report. The bill mandates strict use of funds solely for teacher salary increases and includes requirements for reporting program outcomes to the legislature.

Maddy summaryHB 780 creates a tuition assistance program for early childhood educators in Pennsylvania. It provides grants to cover tuition costs (minus other financial aid) for individuals pursuing associate degrees or certifications in early childhood education, targeting those earning under 400% of the federal poverty level, enrolled in at least six credit hours per semester, and working 25+ hours weekly in approved early childhood programs. Recipients must agree to work in Pennsylvania early childhood education for two years after completing their program. Funding comes from a new state fund, with annual reports tracking enrollment, retention, wages, and job demand. The program aims to support workforce development in early childhood education through financial assistance tied to service commitments.

Maddy summaryHB 781 creates a three-year pilot program to provide salary supplements for infant and toddler care professionals working at eligible child-care centers in Pennsylvania. The Department of Public Welfare will administer the program, establishing county-level pay parity standards that consider education and certification levels to prevent staff retention issues. Child-care centers receiving funds must use them exclusively for wage supplements and cannot reduce existing pay or replace staff costs. The program requires annual reporting to the General Assembly and expires after three fiscal years beginning in 2026-2027.

Maddy summaryHB 779 establishes a three-year pilot program to increase salaries for Head Start teachers in Pennsylvania. It targets Head Start programs located in school districts with at least 20% poverty or census tracts with 80% or lower median poverty. The program calculates a salary supplement by comparing Head Start teachers' qualifications to public elementary school teachers in the same district, then provides funds to align their pay. The Department of Education will select participating programs, collect data, and report findings to the legislature after one year.

Maddy summaryHB 739 amends Pennsylvania's 1951 Professional Nursing Law to modernize terminology and clarify roles for advanced practice nurses. It replaces "certified registered nurse practitioner" with "APRN-CNP" throughout the law, defines "collaboration" requirements for new APRN-CNPs (requiring 3,600 practice hours before independent work), and updates definitions for "medical nutrition therapy" and "population focus areas." The bill explicitly removes the State Board of Nursing's authority to license APRN-CNPs, shifting that responsibility elsewhere. These changes directly affect registered nurses seeking advanced practice certification and the Board's regulatory role in nursing licensure.