Rep. Pat Harkins

Maddy summaryHB 45 requires businesses (vendors) selling services through contracts with automatic renewal clauses to clearly disclose renewal terms to consumers. Specifically, vendors must display renewal details in bold, 10-point font or larger, and provide written/electronic notice 30-60 days before renewal - detailing cancellation deadlines and how to opt out. If a business changes ownership, the new owner must notify consumers within 60 days and offer cancellation options. The law applies to contracts where renewal extends beyond six months, mandating vendors to retain proof of notification for six years. This affects consumers who sign service contracts and vendors operating in Pennsylvania.

Maddy summaryHB 34 creates a new "disaster lodging tax credit" program under Pennsylvania's tax code. It allows hotels and recreational campgrounds in Pennsylvania to claim a tax credit for providing discounted lodging (up to 100% off) to residents whose primary homes were damaged or made uninhabitable by qualifying disasters - such as hurricanes, earthquakes, or industrial accidents. The credit applies to the tax paid by the hotel or campground, directly benefiting businesses that offer discounted lodging to affected residents. This program targets Pennsylvania residents displaced by disasters, excluding those who received housing through federal or state relief programs. The bill amends tax code definitions to establish this credit and defines key terms like "disaster," "qualified hotel," and "beneficiary."

Maddy summaryHB 42, the Well Operation Response Team Act, requires oil and gas operators in Pennsylvania to establish certified response teams for wells during exploration, drilling, and production phases. These teams must include trained members familiar with well operations, available within one hour of an emergency, and undergo annual first aid/CPR training and site-specific drills. Operators must report team details annually to the Department of Labor and Industry, provide emergency communication technology, and train local first responders on well hazards. The bill directly affects operators of active onshore oil/gas wells (excluding plugged/abandoned wells) and mandates specific response protocols to enhance emergency preparedness.

Maddy summaryHB 47 amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code to exclude at-home medical tests from sales tax. The bill specifically adds a new tax exclusion (Section 204(77)) covering tests done at home for diagnosing, treating, or monitoring diseases - such as pregnancy tests or test kits. This directly affects consumers purchasing these medical products, making them tax-free. The provision takes effect 60 days after enactment, removing sales tax liability for qualifying at-home medical tests.

Maddy summaryHR 6 is a non-binding House resolution urging the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) to create separate playoff systems for public schools versus private and charter schools. It addresses a competitive imbalance: private and charter schools (making up ~20% of PA schools) have won 28 of 36 basketball state titles in recent seasons, partly because they can recruit students statewide while public schools are limited to district boundaries. The resolution cites PIAA's own constitutional goals of promoting fairness and educational values in athletics. It does not change PIAA rules but formally requests they adopt separate playoffs to level the competitive field. This applies directly to all PA high schools participating in PIAA sports.

Maddy summaryHB 44 amends the 1988 Local Option Small Games of Chance Act to clarify which businesses can offer tavern gaming under Pennsylvania law. It updates definitions for "restaurant licensee" and "tavern" to specifically include licensed brewpubs, microbreweries, and wineries (with limited licenses), while excluding grocery stores, fuel businesses, and certain hotels or wineries. These changes directly affect licensed restaurants, taverns, and beverage establishments seeking to operate small games of chance under existing rules. The bill focuses solely on defining eligibility - no new gaming rules or restrictions are introduced.

Maddy summaryHB 39 amends Pennsylvania law to formally establish county humane officers' powers and duties under Title 16. It allows county commissioners to hire humane officers who enforce existing dog control laws (from the 1982 Dog Law) and animal cruelty laws (18 Pa.C.S. Ch. 55 Subch. B). To qualify, officers must complete specific training programs (22 Pa.C.S. §§ 3712-3713) covering animal welfare enforcement. The bill directly affects county commissioners (who may hire officers) and the officers themselves, clarifying their legal authority without creating new animal welfare standards.

Maddy summaryHB 35 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to require all schools - including public districts, charter schools, private schools, and cyber charters - to provide current building blueprints to the Pennsylvania State Police or local police department overseeing the school. Schools must update these blueprints whenever building layouts change. This bill directly affects all school entities operating in Pennsylvania by mandating standardized safety documentation for law enforcement access during emergencies. The requirement becomes effective 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 40 amends Pennsylvania's protection from abuse law to clarify and expand court orders. It requires courts to consider risks to both the plaintiff and children when awarding temporary custody or visitation, while clarifying that these orders don't prevent separate custody petitions. The bill adds a new requirement that temporary financial support orders (covering medical costs, housing, or child/spousal support) must be followed by a formal support complaint within two weeks, or the support portion becomes void. It also introduces a new provision allowing courts to order electronic monitoring devices for defendants when there's immediate danger of abuse, with specific criteria for when this is appropriate (like past violations, injuries, or stalking) and detailed technical requirements for the devices themselves. This directly affects individuals seeking protection from abuse and defendants subject to court orders.

Maddy summaryHB 25 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to extend deadlines for school districts to adopt budgets and levy property taxes. It changes the budget adoption deadline from 15 to 30 days after the state enacts basic education funding legislation (for reimbursement of the prior year), and the tax levy deadline from 20 to 35 days for most districts. This affects all public school districts in Pennsylvania, providing more time to finalize financial plans without altering the existing 25-mill property tax rate cap. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.