Rep. Milou Mackenzie

Maddy summaryThis bill allows practical nurses working in licensed hospices to officially pronounce death under specific conditions, such as when a patient has a valid Do Not Resuscitate order. To qualify, the nurse must complete required training on assessing vital signs and postmortem care, and the pronouncement is limited to confirming the cessation of breathing and heart function without determining the cause of death. The law also grants nurses the authority to release a deceased patient's body to a funeral home or family member immediately after notifying the attending physician or nurse practitioner, unless a coroner's investigation is needed. Additionally, the legislation provides legal immunity for nurses and hospices acting in good faith while complying with these new procedures.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's food protection laws to define "cell-cultured meat" and "cell-cultured poultry" as products grown from animal cells outside of live animals. It directly affects the food industry by explicitly prohibiting the manufacturing, selling, or offering for sale of these specific products. The law takes effect 60 days after passage and aims to establish clear regulatory boundaries for emerging food technologies within the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill asks the Pennsylvania House of Representatives to officially recognize September 12, 2024, as "National Police Woman Day" within the state. The resolution honors female law enforcement officers for their service and aims to highlight their contributions to public safety and community trust. It does not create new laws or change any policies but serves as a symbolic gesture to acknowledge the role of women in policing.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania law to clarify and expand the process for tax refunds on liquid fuels used by specific industries. It primarily affects ready mix concrete truck operators by creating a new provision that allows them to claim reimbursements for fuel taxes paid when using power takeoff systems to mix concrete. The legislation establishes strict documentation requirements, mandating that claims include detailed receipts, purchase dates, and descriptions of the machinery used, while also setting a minimum threshold of 100 gallons for a single claim to be eligible. Additionally, the bill outlines a quarterly filing schedule with a 60-day deadline after each quarter ends and retains the existing $1.50 filing fee for approved claims.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Pennsylvania Human Services department to update its licensing rules within 60 days to include assisted living and supplemental health care services under the state's Community HealthChoices program. Specifically, it requires the department to submit necessary paperwork to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services so that licensed assisted living facilities can be certified as medical assistance providers for these services. The legislation affects assisted living residences and the state health department by formally integrating these facilities into the existing healthcare coverage system.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits individuals from serving as school directors in Pennsylvania if they have unpaid school property taxes on their primary residence or business for two years or more. To enforce this rule, the legislation allows courts to challenge a candidate's eligibility or remove an elected official through specific legal procedures known as election objections and quo warranto. The law defines "delinquent" as a failure to pay these taxes for at least two years without any pending legal disputes over the debt. Once enacted, these restrictions will apply to both current candidates and anyone elected to the position after the bill takes effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new restricted account to collect annual fees from individuals in Pennsylvania who are required to register as sexual offenders. Under the new provisions, the Pennsylvania State Police will charge these registrants a $40 annual fee, with the option to increase this amount through a formal legislative process. All money collected from these fees will be deposited into the newly created account, which can only be used by the General Assembly to fund the maintenance and improvement of the sexual offender registry. The law takes effect 60 days after it is passed.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Pennsylvania's tax laws by adjusting personal income tax rates and eliminating a specific tax on the gross receipts from the sale of electric energy. It requires electric utilities to pass the savings from these tax changes directly to consumers through reductions in state tax surcharges, with civil penalties of up to $5,000 for companies that fail to do so. Additionally, the legislation mandates that $6 million annually be transferred to the Alternative Fuels Incentive Fund starting in the 2024-2025 fiscal year. The bill also establishes a revenue-neutral reconciliation rule that will remain in effect until the end of 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Pennsylvania schools to provide instruction on the Holocaust, genocide, and human rights violations. It mandates that the State Board of Education conduct a study every five years starting in the 2024-2025 school year to assess how widely these topics are taught across the state. Based on the study's findings, the board must create rules requiring all schools to offer this instruction if fewer than 90% of schools are currently doing so. The report generated by this study will be sent to state leaders and include recommendations for improving how the subject is taught.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Regulatory Review Act to require state agencies to submit additional documentation when proposing new regulations. Specifically, if a proposed rule adopts guidance from the World Health Organization, the United Nations, or the World Economic Forum, the agency must provide a statement explaining how that guidance applies to the state and include detailed data supporting its relevance. The bill also places the burden of proof on the agency to demonstrate that any data used is acceptable. These requirements aim to increase transparency and scrutiny for international regulatory influences within the state's rulemaking process.