Rep. Milou Mackenzie

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania bill requires hotels and lodgings with at least 150 rooms to verify the work authorization status of all employees through the federal E-Verify system and maintain verification records for at least three years or the duration of employment. The law prohibits employers from knowingly hiring individuals who lack legal permission to work in the United States and applies to staffing agencies supplying workers to the hotel industry. The Department of Labor and Industry will be tasked with investigating complaints about violations, conducting inspections of employer records, and interviewing relevant personnel. Employers who violate the prohibition face penalties, while individuals who knowingly submit false information in complaints could face criminal charges.

Maddy summaryHB 898 requires Pennsylvania gas stations to display clear, standardized labels on fuel dispensers showing the exact federal and state taxes for both gasoline and diesel fuel. The labels must list individual taxes (federal gasoline tax, state gasoline tax, federal diesel tax, state diesel tax) and their combined totals in a consistent location. The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture will design these labels, update them within 60 days of any tax rate changes, and cover all costs for retailers - no fees for initial or replacement labels. This bill directly affects fuel retailers and the Department of Agriculture, aiming to increase transparency about tax costs for consumers.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the CareerBound Program to connect Pennsylvania students with high-priority job opportunities through school-to-work partnerships. It establishes a formal framework where schools, local workforce boards, and businesses collaborate to provide career exploration, relevant curriculum, and workplace exposure for students. The legislation also creates a tax credit program to encourage businesses to participate in these partnerships by offering financial incentives for hiring students in high-demand occupations. State agencies including the Department of Labor and Industry and the Department of Community and Economic Development will administer the program and oversee its implementation.

Maddy summaryHB 854 requires school board members to recuse themselves from voting on collective bargaining agreements if their spouse, romantic partner, or household member is part of the bargaining unit covered by that agreement. The bill amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to establish this conflict-of-interest rule, directly affecting school board members during contract negotiations. Key provisions mandate automatic recusal for board members with personal ties to the employees covered by the agreement being voted on. The rule takes effect 60 days after enactment, aiming to prevent potential bias in negotiations.

Maddy summaryHB 834 requires all Pennsylvania public agencies (including state, local, judicial, and legislative bodies) to post monthly financial disbursement records online by the end of each month. Agencies must also certify quarterly to the Auditor General that all prior quarter records are publicly available. The Auditor General will conduct periodic audits to verify compliance, and individuals can sue agencies for violations to obtain court-ordered corrections, with potential recovery of attorney fees. This bill directly affects how public funds are disclosed, making monthly spending data immediately accessible to the public rather than requiring annual reports.

Maddy summaryHB 849 creates a new felony offense for child abuse offenders who fail to comply with registration requirements under Pennsylvania law. It makes it a felony of the second degree (or first degree for repeat violations) to miss registration deadlines, provide inaccurate information, fail to verify address or employment, or skip required counseling. The bill requires offenders to register with the Pennsylvania State Police, update details regularly, and provide complete personal information, with police authorized to arrest without a warrant for violations. This directly affects individuals convicted of child abuse offenses who are subject to registration under existing law.

Maddy summaryHB 810 amends Pennsylvania's PennWATCH Act to require state agencies to publicly disclose settlement details paid through specific programs (like employee liability claims or tort claims). It directly affects all Commonwealth agencies that pay settlements, as they must submit settlement information (including agency, claim date, legal basis, payment date, and amount) to the PennWATCH database within five business days. The bill mandates that this data be posted online within 30 days of payment and sent electronically to all state legislators every 30 days, starting January 1, 2025. The changes apply to all settlements paid under the Employee Liability Self-Insurance Program, Automobile Liability Program, Motor License Tort Claim Fund, notary bonds, and General Tort Claims Fund.

Maddy summaryHB 805 amends Pennsylvania's Child Labor Act to strengthen oversight of child labor enforcement. It requires the Department of Labor and Industry to submit an annual report to the General Assembly by April 1, detailing complaints, violations (including by industry and county), and specific data on cases involving unaccompanied alien minors released by federal authorities. The bill also clarifies that knowingly employing minors without proper care is a second-degree misdemeanor, punishable by fines up to $5,000 or up to two years in jail per violation. Additionally, it mandates cross-reporting to Immigration and Customs Enforcement for suspected immigration violations and to Human Services for child abuse concerns during investigations.

Maddy summaryHB 793 requires Pennsylvania public schools to post primary resources and course summaries about Holocaust, genocide, and human rights violations instruction on their public websites by the 2026-2027 school year. It directs the Pennsylvania Department of Education to develop curriculum guidelines within 12 months, encouraging coverage of Holocaust history, global genocides (like Rwanda), human rights violations, and anti-Semitism. The bill applies to all school entities (districts, charter schools, technical schools) and mandates transparency without requiring new content. The guidelines must specify minimum instructional time and be posted online, while respecting intellectual property rights.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 96) designates March 8, 2025, as "International Women's Day" in Pennsylvania. It formally recognizes women's contributions across all sectors of Pennsylvania society without creating new laws or policies. The resolution encourages residents to participate in events celebrating women's achievements and leadership, including noting the record number of women serving in the state legislature. It is a symbolic gesture by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, not a legislative change affecting specific groups or programs.