Rep. Carol Kazeem

Maddy summaryHouse Resolution 395 designates March 17, 2026, as "St. Patrick's Day" in Pennsylvania. It formally celebrates the historical contributions of Irish Americans to the founding of the United States, including their roles in the Revolutionary War and the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The resolution is a symbolic gesture by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives to honor Irish American heritage and history.

Maddy summaryHR 352 is a resolution directing the Joint State Government Commission to study how Pennsylvania's litter laws are enforced and to provide recommendations for improvement. It does not create new laws or change existing penalties; instead, it mandates a formal review of current enforcement practices. The study would focus on identifying challenges and effective strategies for litter prevention and cleanup. The resolution was referred to the Environmental & Natural Resource Protection committee for consideration.

Maddy summaryHB 501 amends Pennsylvania's Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act to update definitions and clarify requirements for renewable energy compliance. It specifically adds "advanced reactor" (including small modular reactors) to eligible energy sources, refines criteria for low-impact hydropower, and updates definitions for biomass, biogas, and alternative energy credits. The bill affects electric utilities required to meet portfolio standards by specifying which energy sources count toward compliance and how credits are calculated. These changes aim to modernize the framework for renewable energy reporting and incentives without altering current percentage targets. The bill is currently in committee review (Environmental & Natural Resource Protection).

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House Resolution designates May 4, 2026, as "Youth Advocacy Day" to recognize the role young people play in advocating for issues affecting their lives. The resolution acknowledges youth involvement in various social movements, including environmental, civil rights, and public safety initiatives, and affirms their right to participate in civic engagement. It does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic designation to highlight youth advocacy efforts within the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's obstruction of governmental operations laws to create a specific exception for healthcare facilities. It allows nonviolent obstruction of law enforcement entry at hospitals and emergency departments unless officers have probable cause and a judicial warrant for a specific individual. The law defines key terms like "health care facility," "emergency department," and "judicial warrant" to clarify when this protection applies. The changes would take effect 60 days after enactment and apply to all law enforcement officers within the state.

Maddy summaryHB 80 would authorize Pennsylvania to join the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact. This compact allows licensed audiologists and speech-language pathologists to practice in other participating states without obtaining separate licenses for each state. The bill directly affects these healthcare professionals and their patients, streamlining cross-state practice for providers. It creates a standardized process for reciprocity among member states, eliminating redundant licensing requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates the week of April 12 through 18, 2026, as "National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week" in Pennsylvania. It directly honors 911 dispatchers and public safety telecommunicators who coordinate emergency responses for medical, fire, and police services. The resolution acknowledges the critical role these professionals play as the first point of contact for residents during emergencies. This is a commemorative measure that recognizes the diligence and professionalism of these workers without changing any laws or policies.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania bill requires law enforcement agencies to conduct additional background checks on applicants who previously worked for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The law mandates that these applicants submit detailed employment history forms, including contact information for all supervisors and written statements about any deadly force investigations or disciplinary actions. If an applicant discloses negative information, the hiring agency must request full records from the former employer, and a state commission will review the case to determine fitness for employment. The bill also establishes confidentiality protections for the information gathered and prohibits hiring applicants who fail to provide the required disclosures.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 421) designates April 2026 as "Child Abuse Prevention Month" in Pennsylvania. It does not create new laws or programs but formally recognizes the month to raise awareness about child abuse prevention. The resolution highlights Pennsylvania's 2024 statistics (4,756 substantiated abuse cases, 60 child fatalities) and acknowledges community efforts to support victims. It urges Pennsylvanians to participate in prevention efforts and commends organizations working on this issue. The designation is symbolic, aiming to foster community engagement without altering existing policies.

Maddy summaryHB 460 requires all teachers in Pennsylvania public schools to complete child abuse recognition and reporting training as part of their certification process. It amends the Public School Code of 1949 to integrate this training into both initial certification and ongoing educator requirements. The bill directly affects educators by mandating specific training to identify and report suspected abuse, ensuring schools meet updated child safety standards. This change applies to all public school teachers, including those seeking certification or renewing credentials.