Rep. Pat Harkins

Maddy summaryHB 431 creates a new criminal offense in Pennsylvania for sharing AI-generated images or voice recordings that impersonate real people without their consent. It specifically targets artificially generated content (like deepfakes) that mimics an individual's appearance or voice, defining it as a crime distinct from other impersonation methods. The offense is a misdemeanor of the first degree, or a felony if committed to defraud or harm someone. This law directly affects anyone who shares such AI-generated impersonations within Pennsylvania, protecting individuals from non-consensual misuse of their likeness. The bill provides clear definitions for "artificial intelligence" and "artificially generated impersonation" to ensure the law applies only to AI-created content, not human mimicry.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates January 2025 as "School Director Recognition Month" in Pennsylvania. It honors the 4,500 locally elected school directors who volunteer to lead public school districts, set educational standards, manage budgets, and advocate for students. The resolution does not create new laws or funding; it is a symbolic gesture to acknowledge their service. The House will send a copy to the Pennsylvania School Boards Association to support the recognition effort.

Maddy summaryHB 405 would require businesses with 200+ Pennsylvania employees to meet specific standards to receive state contracts, funding, or grants. Corporations would be ineligible if they violated federal labor laws (within 5 years), committed unfair labor practices (within 5 years), broke Pennsylvania's prevailing wage law (within 5 years), or failed to submit bylaws ensuring at least 20% of their governing board consists of employee-elected members. The bill applies only to new or renewed state contracts, funding, or grants approved after its effective date (60 days after enactment). This directly affects large corporations seeking state business by linking eligibility to labor compliance and employee representation requirements.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 32) designates March 16-22, 2025, as "Sunshine Week" in Pennsylvania. It formally recognizes an existing nonpartisan observance initiated by the American Society of News Editors and Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association, which highlights open government and public access to information. The resolution urges all Pennsylvania residents to participate in this symbolic observance, which aligns with James Madison's birthday and focuses on the importance of transparency in government. It does not create new laws, affect any specific group, or alter legal obligations.

Maddy summaryHB 367, the Flexible Working Arrangements Act, gives employees in Pennsylvania with employers of 50+ staff the right to request flexible work options like adjusted hours, remote work, or job sharing once yearly. Employers must consider these requests in good faith, respond in writing if requested, and cannot retaliate - though they may deny requests only if they would harm business operations (e.g., cause excessive costs or disrupt service). The Department of Labor and Industry will enforce the law, issuing warnings for first violations and imposing up to $500 per violation for repeat offenses. The bill does not override existing employment rights or collective bargaining agreements.

Maddy summaryHB 341 requires Pennsylvania public schools to install certified point-of-use filters on all drinking water outlets by January 1, 2027, and replace older fountains without filters with bottle-filling stations or filtered fountains (at least one per 100 students/staff). It establishes a $10 million annual Safe Schools Drinking Water Fund to provide grants for filter installation and fountain replacement, prioritizing schools built before 2014 and those serving prekindergarten students. The bill also mandates schools to publicly report their compliance plans, filter maintenance schedules, and lead risk information online, while new outlets must meet strict lead-leaching standards (NSF 61). This directly affects all Pennsylvania public school entities, focusing on reducing lead exposure in drinking water.

Maddy summaryHB 315 amends Pennsylvania's sales tax discount rules to provide clearer, tiered incentives for businesses that file and pay taxes promptly. It replaces the previous discount structure with a new system offering fixed per-return discounts: $25 for monthly filers, $75 for quarterly filers, and $150 for semiannual filers. Additionally, it adds a revenue-based discount: 1% on the first $1 million of taxable sales, plus 0.25% on amounts above that threshold. This bill directly affects businesses required to file and pay sales tax in Pennsylvania, making prompt payment more financially beneficial through these specific, predictable discount tiers.

Maddy summaryHB 233 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to change rules for charter school board membership. It prohibits local school board members from serving on charter school boards in their district (Section 1716-A(b)) and bars individuals receiving compensation from local school boards from serving on charter school boards if they were involved in the charter's approval (Section 1716-A(b.1)). The bill also requires local school boards to appoint a member to each charter school board (Section 1716-A(b.4)). These changes directly affect charter school boards, local school board members, and employees involved in charter school oversight. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryHB 281 requires health insurance policies in Pennsylvania to cover prostate cancer screenings with no out-of-pocket costs for men aged 40+ who are at high risk. High-risk individuals include those with a family history of prostate cancer, genetic factors, or physician-determined medical need. The law mandates annual coverage for screenings like PSA tests and digital rectal exams, eliminating deductibles or copays. It applies to all health insurance policies issued or renewed 180 days after enactment, with full implementation in 60 days. This directly affects insurers, healthcare providers, and Pennsylvania residents meeting the specified risk criteria.

Maddy summaryHB 272 establishes a grant program to help Pennsylvania municipalities and emergency service facilities (like fire stations, police departments, and ambulance services) install solar energy systems. The Department of Environmental Protection will administer the program, awarding competitive grants to cover eligible costs such as solar equipment, installation, permits, and site assessments. Applicants must submit a site assessment and verify contractors meet licensing, safety, and legal requirements through an affidavit. The program also requires the department to provide technical assistance and educational resources about solar energy projects.