Rep. Stephenie Scialabba

Maddy summaryHB 1356 prohibits Pennsylvania state and local government agencies from requiring REAL ID-compliant identification to access public buildings or receive government services. Instead, it allows standard driver's licenses, non-driver photo IDs, or other similar identification to be accepted as valid alternatives. The bill clarifies that agencies cannot demand identification if it is not otherwise necessary for a service or building access. This directly affects all state and local government services and the residents who use them.

Maddy summaryHB 1350 amends Pennsylvania's Health Care Facilities Act to establish rules for resident-permitted electronic monitoring in long-term care facilities. It allows residents or their guardians to authorize cameras or audio devices in their rooms, requiring specific written consent forms that include privacy options (like camera obstruction) and explicit consent from all roommates. The bill mandates that residents cover installation, maintenance, and internet costs, and protects facilities from liability for privacy violations when following these procedures. This directly affects residents in nursing facilities and their guardians by creating a structured process for personal monitoring consent.

Maddy summaryHB 1352 amends Pennsylvania's criminal code to expand the offense of "unlawful contact with a minor." It directly affects individuals who intentionally contact minors (or law enforcement posing as minors) for specific prohibited activities, including sexual offenses, human trafficking involving minors, incest, or sexual exploitation. The bill adds new categories to the existing law, such as human trafficking with sexual servitude involving minors, endangering a child's welfare through sexual contact, and expanded corruption of minors offenses. These changes clarify that contact for these activities - whether initiated by the adult or the minor - is a criminal offense within Pennsylvania. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 1362 establishes Pennsylvania's Taxpayer Dividend Program to return a portion of the state's budget surplus to individual taxpayers. The program would pay eligible residents up to $1,000 each, calculated as the lesser of $1,000 or a per-person share of the General Fund surplus (as of June 30, 2025). To qualify, taxpayers must have filed a 2024 individual or joint tax return and paid their taxes on time. The Department of Revenue would identify eligible taxpayers and calculate payments, then forward details to the State Treasurer for disbursement.

Maddy summaryHB 1355 would increase tax discounts for businesses that file and pay Pennsylvania sales tax on time. Currently, businesses receive $25 for monthly filings, $75 for quarterly filings, and $150 for semiannual filings. The bill would double these amounts to $50, $150, and $300 per return, respectively. This change directly affects businesses required to collect and remit sales tax under Pennsylvania’s Tax Reform Code.

Maddy summaryHB 1351 prohibits Pennsylvania public school teacher preparation, induction, and professional development programs from incorporating culturally relevant and sustaining education - teaching methods that reflect students' backgrounds and experiences. The bill directly affects educators and school staff who participate in these training programs. It achieves this by amending the Public School Code to ban such education and repealing related regulations (22 Pa. Code §§ 49.1, 49.13-49.17) that previously addressed the topic. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryHB 1353 clarifies when Pennsylvania Game Commission officers can enter private property for hunting enforcement. It specifies that landowners can prohibit entry by giving actual notice, posting visible signs, fencing, or using purple paint marks (8-inch vertical lines, 3-5 feet high, 100 feet apart). This directly affects hunters and landowners who use these notice methods to restrict officer access. The bill amends existing laws to define enforcement boundaries more precisely, focusing on property access rules rather than new penalties.

Maddy summaryHB 1354 requires Pennsylvania public school districts to allow private school students who reside in the district to participate in after-school sports, clubs, and other extracurricular activities if their private school does not offer the same activity and they meet all participation requirements. The law directly affects private school students seeking access to public school programs and public school districts managing extracurricular offerings. It mandates inclusion only when the private school does not provide equivalent opportunities, without changing funding or administrative requirements. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 1271 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to add protections for free speech at public colleges and universities. It prohibits public institutions from creating "bias reporting systems" that could lead to punishment for speech, including political expression, protests, or guest speakers. The bill also bans punishing students or staff for "protected expressive activity" and prevents charging higher security fees based on speech content. Public institutions must maintain harassment policies but cannot use them to suppress protected speech. This applies to all 14 public institutions of higher education in Pennsylvania, including state universities and community colleges.

Maddy summaryHB 1134 requires food products containing specific synthetic colors (Blue 1, Blue 2, Green 3, Red 40, Yellow 5, or Yellow 6) to display a warning label on the front of the package. The warning must state: "WARNING: This product contains synthetic colors, which may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children," in bold type at least as large as the "serving size" declaration. This law directly affects food manufacturers and retailers selling products with these dyes in Pennsylvania. The requirement applies to all such products sold within the state and takes effect one year after enactment.