Rep. Kristin Marcell

Maddy summaryHB 285 increases fees for constables in Pennsylvania for specific court-related services in both civil and criminal cases. It raises civil service fees (e.g., from $13 to $20 for serving a complaint) and criminal fees (e.g., from $25 to $50 per warrant execution), with updated amounts for levies, sales, returns, and transportation. The bill clarifies that counties do not pay surcharges for indigent defendants in criminal cases. These changes directly affect constables who perform court services and the defendants or counties paying these fees. The bill amends existing statutes to update fee schedules without altering eligibility or procedural requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 217 amends Pennsylvania's tax code to require businesses to deduct start-up costs (like initial expenses for new ventures) entirely in the year incurred, rather than spreading deductions over multiple years as permitted under federal rules. This change affects new businesses and entrepreneurs with start-up expenses by altering how they calculate state personal income tax. The bill also allows business net losses to offset other income in the same tax year. These provisions apply to tax years beginning after December 31, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 259 amends Pennsylvania's definition of "child sexual abuse material" in Title 18 to clarify what constitutes illegal content. It adds specific criteria for material involving children under 18, including depictions of lewd exhibition of genitals (if patently offensive), material appealing to prurient interest under community standards, and material lacking serious literary or educational value. This change directly affects law enforcement and prosecutors who identify and prosecute violations of child sexual abuse laws. The bill updates existing legal language without creating new penalties, effective 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 256 exempts transfers of funds from qualified tuition programs (like 529 college savings plans) from Pennsylvania's inheritance tax when moved to the designated beneficiary or their parent/guardian if the beneficiary is under 18. It uses federal definitions from the Internal Revenue Code (Section 529) to define "qualified tuition program" and "designated beneficiary." The change applies to estates of people who died after November 6, 2023. This policy directly affects families using these education savings programs by removing an inheritance tax burden on transferred funds.

Maddy summaryHB 281 requires health insurance policies in Pennsylvania to cover prostate cancer screenings with no out-of-pocket costs for men aged 40+ who are at high risk. High-risk individuals include those with a family history of prostate cancer, genetic factors, or physician-determined medical need. The law mandates annual coverage for screenings like PSA tests and digital rectal exams, eliminating deductibles or copays. It applies to all health insurance policies issued or renewed 180 days after enactment, with full implementation in 60 days. This directly affects insurers, healthcare providers, and Pennsylvania residents meeting the specified risk criteria.

Maddy summaryHB 184 amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code of 1971 to exempt books sold at retail by public libraries from state sales tax. This policy change directly affects public libraries across Pennsylvania, removing a sales tax burden on book sales to patrons. The bill adds a new exclusion (section 204(77)) to the tax code, specifying that sales of books by public libraries are not subject to the state's sales tax. The provision takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 196 amends Pennsylvania's Election Code to increase the number of valid signatures required on nomination petitions for school director candidates in primary elections, from 10 to 100. This change directly affects candidates seeking nomination for school board positions within their political party. The bill modifies Section 912.1(35) of the Election Code to mandate these 100 signatures from registered and enrolled party members. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 153 amends Pennsylvania's 1887 time law to automatically adopt year-round daylight saving time if Congress authorizes it. Currently, Pennsylvania observes daylight saving time from the last Sunday in April to the last Sunday in October. The bill would change this to year-round daylight saving time without further state action if federal law permits it. This affects all Pennsylvanians, businesses, and public institutions that rely on standardized time for daily operations, schedules, and legal compliance. The change would take effect 60 days after the bill is signed, but only if Congress passes legislation allowing year-round daylight saving time.

Maddy summaryHB 119 permanently prohibits Pennsylvania from observing daylight saving time, requiring all timekeeping in the state to follow Eastern Standard Time year-round. The bill amends an 1887 law to remove the existing provision allowing daylight saving time (which previously shifted clocks forward between April and October) and declares Eastern Standard Time as the sole legal standard. This directly affects all residents, businesses, and government operations across Pennsylvania, eliminating the need for biannual clock changes. The policy change would take effect 60 days after the bill's passage.

Maddy summaryHB 86 amends Pennsylvania's Professional Nursing Law to change the composition and term length of the State Board of Nursing. The bill reduces board members' terms from six to four years and specifies that six of the nine appointed nursing members must be registered nurses (with at least three holding Master's degrees), two must be licensed practical nurses, and one must be a licensed dietitian-nutritionist. It also adds requirements for public representation on the board, prohibiting members representing the public from having financial ties to dietitian services or having household members who are dietitians. These changes directly affect who serves on the State Board of Nursing, not nursing practice standards or patient care. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.