Rep. Milou Mackenzie

Maddy summaryHB 651 amends Pennsylvania's Local Tax Collection Law to allow local taxing districts (like counties, cities, and townships) to permit property tax payments in up to twelve installments, increasing the current limit from four. This change directly affects property taxpayers who choose to pay their taxes in installments rather than a single lump sum. The bill specifies that no tax discounts or abatements will apply to taxes paid through this extended installment plan. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 677 amends Pennsylvania's Apprenticeship and Training Act to establish new supervisor-to-apprentice ratio requirements based on occupational hazard levels. It requires that for high-hazard occupations (with fatality rates ≥9 per 100,000 workers), no more than three supervisors may be required per apprentice; for medium-hazard occupations (2-9 fatalities per 100,000), no more than two supervisors; and for low-hazard occupations (≤2 fatalities per 100,000), no more than one supervisor. These ratios are determined annually using U.S. Department of Labor fatality data, with updates published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin and implemented July 1 each year. The bill directly affects all registered apprenticeship programs in Pennsylvania, particularly those in construction, manufacturing, and other high-risk industries.

Maddy summaryHB 663 requires bodywork facilities in Pennsylvania - including massage studios, spas, and similar businesses offering bodywork services like massage therapy or acupressure - to obtain a license from the Department of State. The bill establishes a licensing process involving background checks, application reviews, and regular inspections to ensure facilities meet health and safety standards, while prohibiting on-site dormitories. It excludes medical offices, solo practitioners who display their license in advertisements, and businesses offering only non-manipulative services (like topical skin treatments). Violations, such as operating without a license, could result in penalties, and the Department of State will oversee enforcement.

Maddy summaryHB 599 would create a new crime called "masked intimidation" in Pennsylvania, making it illegal for someone to wear a facial covering while intentionally threatening or intimidating another person or group with the goal of causing them to fear for their physical safety. The offense would be punishable as a misdemeanor of the third degree, but the law includes specific exceptions for common uses of facial coverings, such as religious attire, safety gear during weather or sports, holiday costumes, or preventing illness spread. The bill also explicitly states it does not infringe on First Amendment rights and defines key terms like "facial covering" and "intimidate" to clarify the law's scope.

Maddy summaryHB 579 would require Pennsylvania public schools, charter schools, and participating private schools meeting the state's baseline security criteria to assign at least one armed guard to each school building within one year. The bill mandates designating specific entry and exit points for buildings (excluding emergencies) and installing signs with audible alarms on non-designated exterior doors. School armed guards must be present during school hours and extracurricular activities, holding specific firearm training certifications as defined by the bill. This requirement applies only to school entities that meet the tier 1 security standards.

Maddy summaryHB 585 amends Pennsylvania's statutory interpretation rules by adding "legislative interpretations" to the list of factors courts must consider when determining a statute's meaning. Specifically, it revises Section 1921(c)(8) of Title 1 to explicitly include how lawmakers themselves interpreted a law as a valid consideration. This change directly affects courts and legal interpreters when resolving ambiguities in existing Pennsylvania laws. The bill makes a technical adjustment to statutory construction procedures without creating new policies or affecting specific groups.

Maddy summaryHB 552 creates three public alert systems in Pennsylvania: the Amber Alert for abducted children, the Missing Endangered Person Advisory System for missing individuals at special risk (e.g., due to health conditions), and the Green Alert for veterans-at-risk (veterans with service-related health conditions facing harm). The Pennsylvania State Police must establish and maintain these systems, coordinate with other jurisdictions, and use a $25 fee assessed on certain convictions (like kidnapping or unlawful restraint) to fund them. The bill also prohibits false alerts with a $5,000 civil penalty and ensures law enforcement can still independently notify the public. It directly affects the State Police, law enforcement agencies, and individuals convicted of specified crimes.

Maddy summaryHB 547 allows ride-hailing drivers (like Uber or Lyft drivers) to display approved illuminated signs inside their vehicles. The bill requires these signs to be submitted for review and approval by either the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission or the Philadelphia Parking Authority within 15 business days. It prohibits these signs from using blue illumination or mimicking emergency vehicle lights. The law directly affects ride-hailing drivers and their service providers, creating a standardized approval process for in-vehicle signage.

Maddy summaryHB 548 strengthens Pennsylvania's state preemption of local firearm regulations by declaring that all aspects of firearm regulation - including purchase, sale, possession, and transportation - must follow state law, invalidating any conflicting local ordinances. It directly affects counties, municipalities, and townships that previously enacted stricter gun rules, as well as residents, gun dealers, or organizations challenging such local laws. Key provisions include creating legal remedies for those harmed by illegal local regulations (allowing lawsuits for damages, attorney fees, and injunctions) and explicitly stating that state law supersedes all local efforts. The bill takes effect in 90 days for its core preemption rules, requiring local governments to align with state firearm laws immediately.

Maddy summaryHB 530 modifies Pennsylvania's criminal codes to adjust penalties for property damage crimes and create a new process for removing trespassers. It reclassifies criminal mischief as a felony if financial damage exceeds $1,000 (for building entry) or $5,000 (for public services), and as a misdemeanor for smaller losses. The bill also establishes a formal procedure allowing property owners to request law enforcement to remove trespassers by submitting a signed affidavit proving the person isn't a tenant, has been asked to leave, and lawful eviction occurred if applicable. This directly affects property owners seeking to remove unauthorized occupants, tenants facing potential unlawful removal, and law enforcement officers handling such requests. The law requires officers to provide individuals removed a chance to prove lawful occupancy and prohibits violations of Pennsylvania's Landlord and Tenant Act.