Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta

Maddy summaryHB 459 designates a 2.5-mile segment of Pennsylvania Route 352 (Middletown Road) between Gradyville Road in Edgmont Township and North Pennell Road in Middletown Township, Delaware County, as the "Chief Joseph J. Montgomery, Jr. Memorial Highway." The bill commemorates Joseph J. Montgomery, Jr., a local firefighter, paramedic, community leader, and business owner who died in 2023. The legislation requires the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to install and maintain directional signs along the designated highway. This is a ceremonial naming bill with no policy or funding changes, solely honoring Montgomery's community service.

Maddy summaryHB 485 creates a new Office of Information Technology within Pennsylvania's state government to establish and enforce digital accessibility standards. It requires all public entities (like counties, cities, and state agencies) to make their online services accessible to people with disabilities by developing implementation plans by July 2026 and fully complying by July 2028. Key provisions include adopting Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), mandating procurement standards for adaptive technologies, and requiring compatibility with accessibility tools. The law aligns with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act and applies to digital content, websites, and information systems used by the public.

Maddy summaryHB 470 requires employers with 15 or more employees in Pennsylvania to provide a paid 30-minute meal break or rest period after five consecutive hours of work. This applies to all covered employees, with exemptions for union contracts that already provide equivalent or better break rights and during workplace emergencies. Employers violating the law face penalties of $100-$500 per affected employee per missed break, with additional recovery of lost wages for workers. The bill takes effect 90 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a symbolic resolution (not a law) designating February 27, 2025, as "Dominican Republic Independence Day" within Pennsylvania. It directly affects Pennsylvania residents by formally recognizing this date to honor the Dominican Republic's independence from Haiti in 1844 and the cultural contributions of the state's Dominican-American community. The resolution includes historical context about the Dominican Republic's founding and highlights the community's economic and cultural ties to Pennsylvania. It has no financial, regulatory, or policy impact - it is purely commemorative.

Maddy summaryHB 457 amends Pennsylvania's Liquor Code to require new labeling on alcohol containers for distilleries, wineries, bonded warehouses, and alcohol transporters. The labels must include the manufacturer's name, alcohol type and quantity, production date, license number, and a clear cancer warning: "WARNING: There is a direct link between alcohol and fatal cancers." This applies to all containers ready for shipment and those held in wholesale quantities. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 449 requires Pennsylvania police officers to issue a warning or citation ordering individuals to stop specific minor unlawful conduct before making an arrest without a warrant. It applies to offenses like disorderly conduct, public drunkenness, obstructing highways, and liquor violations under Title 18. The bill mandates that officers must first warn individuals to cease the conduct, and only arrest if they refuse or fail to comply. Additionally, police departments must establish written guidelines for officers before implementing these warrantless arrests. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 456, the Restroom Access Act, requires Pennsylvania retail establishments with employee restrooms to allow customers with specific medical conditions to use them during business hours under defined conditions. It directly affects customers who use ostomy devices or have inflammatory bowel diseases (like Crohn's or ulcerative colitis) and cannot access a public restroom nearby. To qualify, customers must provide written physician documentation or a nonprofit-issued ID card verifying their condition. Retail businesses violating the law face a civil penalty of up to $500, but the law does not require physical changes to restrooms. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryHB 455 establishes Pennsylvania's "Building a Better Future Grant Program" to fund organizations providing education and workforce training to young adults aged 16-24 who are disconnected from education. The program targets organizations serving youth from low-income backgrounds with specific vulnerabilities (e.g., foster care, disability, homelessness, or school dropout) and requires grantees to offer at least two services like job training, career counseling, or high school equivalency support. The Department of Labor and Industry will administer $5 million in state funding (from the General Fund) to award grants of up to $1 million per organization, with 5% reserved for statewide technical assistance. This directly affects eligible young adults and qualifying local organizations focused on construction, healthcare, and other in-demand vocational fields.

Maddy summaryHB 443 modifies Pennsylvania's sentencing for second-degree murder convictions, including murder of an unborn child or a law enforcement officer. It reduces maximum sentences: for adults, from life imprisonment to 50 years; for offenders under 18, it sets a maximum of 40 years for those 15+ at the time of crime and 30 years for those under 15. The bill also establishes new parole timelines - 25 years for standard life sentences under this section, 20 years for those under 18 aged 15+, and 15 years for those under 15 - requiring the parole board to prioritize public safety, victim safety, and consider the offender's culpability before granting parole. Additionally, it mandates that victims be notified and given a chance to be heard before parole decisions for these cases.

Maddy summaryHR 47, a resolution amending House Rule 14, updates reimbursement rules for Pennsylvania House members and employees related to legislative expenses. It caps travel and daily allowances at the federal government’s maximum rate, requires detailed receipts for all claims, and restricts district office staff reimbursements to approved training or conferences. The resolution also mandates public disclosure of the total funds allocated for members’ expenses on a House website. These changes standardize reporting and increase transparency in how legislative expenses are handled.