Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta

Maddy summaryHB 296, the Beagle Freedom Act, prohibits dealers and kennels from selling dogs or cats bred by individuals or facilities that have received certain USDA violations, such as critical violations or two consecutive housing access issues. It requires kennels and animal testing facilities handling research animals to offer dogs and cats for adoption through a local shelter or adoption organization if they no longer need the animal and it poses no health or safety risk, with the offer remaining available for up to 21 days before euthanasia. The bill also mandates annual reporting to the Department of Agriculture on adoptions and provides liability protection for compliant entities. This legislation directly affects research breeders, kennels, and animal testing facilities in Pennsylvania.

Maddy summaryHB 294 adds whistleblower protections for employees reporting potential violations of Pennsylvania's riot and disorderly conduct laws. It designates these employees as covered under the existing 1986 Whistleblower Law when reporting violations in good faith, and treats businesses/nonprofits/government entities as employers under that law for such reports. The bill also amends a statute to exempt animal research conducted lawfully under federal or state law at qualifying research facilities from the riot/disorderly conduct subchapter. This directly affects employees who report violations and research facilities conducting permitted animal studies. The changes take effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHR 21 is a Pennsylvania House Concurrent Resolution (not a bill) calling for an Article V constitutional convention. It requests Congress to convene a limited convention to consider two specific proposals: (1) term limits for U.S. House and Senate members, and (2) term limits for U.S. Supreme Court Justices. The resolution is procedural - it does not enact term limits but initiates the process for states to collectively seek a convention. It explicitly states Pennsylvania has no obligation to support any resulting constitutional amendment. This action aligns with Pennsylvania's intent to join other states in exploring these topics through the Article V process.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Election Code to set annual contribution limits for political campaigns. It caps individual donations to a single candidate at $10,000 per calendar year and limits political action committee (PAC) contributions to $20,000 per candidate annually. These restrictions apply directly to donors and PACs supporting candidates for any office within Pennsylvania. The changes take effect 60 days after enactment.

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 272 establishes a grant program to help Pennsylvania municipalities and emergency service facilities (like fire stations, police departments, and ambulance services) install solar energy systems. The Department of Environmental Protection will administer the program, awarding competitive grants to cover eligible costs such as solar equipment, installation, permits, and site assessments. Applicants must submit a site assessment and verify contractors meet licensing, safety, and legal requirements through an affidavit. The program also requires the department to provide technical assistance and educational resources about solar energy projects.

Maddy summaryHB 206 amends Pennsylvania's Local Tax Enabling Act to clarify the definition of "earned income" for local income tax purposes. It specifies that employee business expenses reported to the Department of Revenue under the Tax Reform Code can be deducted when calculating earned income, while explicitly excluding military wages (and spouses living outside PA), business loss offsets, and clergy housing allowances. This change directly affects Pennsylvania residents paying local income taxes, particularly those in the excluded categories. The bill modifies how local governments calculate taxable income but does not create new taxes or alter tax rates. (Bill: HB 206, Section 501 amendment)

Maddy summaryHB 210 requires businesses (such as restaurants, hotels, and retail stores) to post signs in visible restroom locations - including stalls, mirrors, and above hand dryers - with the National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline number (1-888-373-7888) and a statement about legal protections for trafficking victims. The signs must be at least 8.5x11 inches, feature the hotline number in bold and large font, and be available in English, Spanish, and any other language required by the Voting Rights Act in the business's county. The Department of Labor and Industry will design and provide the sign template online for businesses to print. This law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 207 amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code to clarify the definition of "compensation" for personal income tax purposes, specifically adding an exception for certain military and emergency-related income. The bill explicitly excludes income earned by active-duty U.S. military members (including their spouses living outside Pennsylvania) and income from active state emergency duty under Pennsylvania's emergency management laws. This change directly affects Pennsylvania taxpayers who receive such income, ensuring it is not taxed as regular compensation. The amendment becomes effective 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 202 amends Pennsylvania's Game Commission structure by adjusting the geographic districts for appointing commission members and reducing the required quorum for meetings from six to five members. The bill reorganizes counties into nine districts (e.g., adding Pike County to the seventh district and adjusting the ninth district's county list) to ensure balanced regional representation. These changes directly affect the Pennsylvania Game Commission's operations, making it easier to conduct meetings and maintain committee representation. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.