Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law to ban government agencies from signing nondisclosure agreements related to data centers. The law prohibits any contract that restricts the public from accessing information about the construction, development, or location of these facilities. If an agency signs such an agreement, the contract is considered void and unenforceable. The bill defines a data center as a facility used to process, store, or transmit data using computers and software.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Controlled Substance Act to officially classify the veterinary sedative medetomidine as a Schedule III controlled substance while explicitly exempting its legitimate use in approved animal drugs and by licensed professionals. It also mandates that veterinarians store both medetomidine and xylazine under the same strict security conditions required for other controlled substances under the state Pharmacy Act. These changes directly affect veterinarians, pharmacies, and manufacturers by updating legal definitions and imposing specific storage protocols to prevent misuse of these substances.

Maddy summaryThis bill, titled the Broadcast Freemarket Agreement Act, prohibits employers in the radio, television, and digital media industries from enforcing non-compete clauses in employment contracts. It declares such agreements void if they stop workers from moving to other companies or performing services within a specific geographic area after leaving their current job. The law also ensures that employees cannot be forced to sign away these protections, while still allowing employers to maintain confidentiality agreements regarding trade secrets.

Maddy summaryHB 2146 modifies Pennsylvania's open meetings law to clarify when government agencies can take action on unlisted agenda items. It creates specific exceptions for minor administrative approvals that arise unexpectedly, such as urgent legal filings, small purchases under $10,000 (based on current thresholds), grant applications with deadlines, or minor permit approvals. Agencies must obtain and publicly disclose a legal opinion confirming an item qualifies under these exceptions before acting. This directly affects state and local agencies holding public meetings, ensuring transparency while allowing limited flexibility for time-sensitive matters. The bill does not change core meeting notice requirements but adds defined exceptions for minor, non-financial actions.

Maddy summaryThis resolution directs the Joint State Government Commission to study suicide prevention and data collection efforts in Pennsylvania and provide recommendations for improvement. The study will specifically examine how well the state has met eight existing suicide prevention goals and analyze the Pennsylvania Violent Death Reporting System to identify barriers like lack of mandatory reporting and insufficient funding. The commission is tasked with proposing legislative actions to ensure medical examiners, coroners, and law enforcement agencies consistently report violent death data to the Department of Health.

Maddy summaryHB 2227 designates Bridge Key 68687 (on PA Route 271 over a Blacklick Creek tributary in Blacklick Township, Cambria County) as the Martin J. Kupchella Memorial Bridge. The bill honors Martin J. Kupchella, a WWII veteran who earned the Silver Star Medal and served in multiple campaigns, as well as his community involvement in Cambria County. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation will install signs naming the bridge for public visibility. This is a ceremonial designation with no policy changes or financial impact.

Maddy summaryHouse Resolution 208 directs Pennsylvania's Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to study wait times, service processes, and operational challenges at two state offices: the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation and the Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services within the Department of Labor and Industry. The committee must examine current wait times for services, assess how delays affect individuals seeking support, and explore solutions like contracting with nonprofit organizations to improve efficiency. The study requires a report to the General Assembly within 180 days, focusing on concrete findings about service delivery rather than mandating policy changes. This resolution does not alter existing services but aims to inform potential improvements for Pennsylvanians with vision impairments who rely on these programs.

Maddy summaryHB 928 amends Pennsylvania law to expand access to epinephrine auto-injectors for severe allergic reactions. It adds schools, sports organizations, and other public venues to the list of "authorized entities" allowed to store these devices and train staff. The bill clarifies who can access the injectors during emergencies and specifies training requirements for personnel. This directly affects schools, youth programs, and public facilities serving individuals at risk of anaphylaxis.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania bill establishes a temporary program allowing businesses to receive tax credits for donations to scholarship and educational improvement organizations. The legislation sets specific annual spending limits for these credits, which are available only for fiscal years before 2027-2028, and creates a new restricted account to track the funds. It also defines various terms related to the program, including assessments and business firms, while assigning oversight duties to several state departments.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Cybersecurity Coordination Board within the Pennsylvania Office of Administration to improve state cybersecurity efforts. The board will collect and share security information, advise the Governor on best practices, and coordinate with federal agencies, local governments, and private sector partners. Its membership includes representatives from key state offices, elected officials, local government leaders, and three appointed cybersecurity experts. The board will also invite federal agency representatives to serve in advisory roles and will elect its own leadership while appointing an executive director to manage its daily operations.