Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Rural Population Revitalization Commission to study and address population decline in Pennsylvania's rural areas, which are defined as counties with fewer than 291 people per square mile. The commission will gather input from various stakeholders, hold public hearings, and produce biennial reports offering recommendations on issues such as healthcare access, affordable housing, education, and job opportunities. Its membership includes representatives from government agencies, higher education, business, and community organizations, all serving without pay for two-year terms. Additionally, the legislation establishes a Rural Population Revitalization Fund to support the commission's operations and initiatives aimed at attracting and retaining residents in rural communities.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a Public Transit Security Grant Program in Pennsylvania to provide funding for improving security at public transit systems. The program will be administered by the Department of Transportation, which will manage a new fund created specifically for these grants. To receive funding, transit authorities must submit applications that include a safety committee letter of support and may receive priority if they have the consent of the majority of their transit employees' associations. The legislation defines a safety committee according to federal regulations and outlines specific requirements for how grant applications must be structured and evaluated.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania laws to replace the existing Abortion Control Act with a new framework that reorganizes abortion-related offenses under a chapter titled "Reproductive Offenses." It removes previous requirements for informed consent, parental consent, and spousal notification while also eliminating penalties for physicians who perform abortions on fetuses of 24 weeks or more gestational age. The legislation further repeals restrictions on fetal experimentation and changes how insurance regulations are handled regarding abortion services, aiming to provide a clearer legal structure for reproductive health care in the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's consumer protection laws to ban businesses from charging extra fees or higher interest rates to customers who choose to pay by mail or receive paper statements. The measure directly affects consumers and financial institutions by prohibiting differential pricing based on the method of payment or billing delivery. While businesses remain allowed to offer discounts for choosing electronic options, they cannot penalize customers for preferring traditional mail or paper communications. The changes take effect 60 days after the bill is enacted.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires mortgage lenders in Pennsylvania who offer reverse mortgages to provide housing counseling to applicants before approving a loan. The counseling must be conducted in person by an agency approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, though telephone or video calls are permitted if an in-person meeting is not feasible. Lenders must also issue a signed certificate documenting the counseling session and keep it on file for the entire duration of the loan. These rules directly affect mortgage loan industry licensees and consumers seeking reverse mortgage products.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House resolution designates August 24, 2024, as "Bayard Rustin Day" to honor the life and legacy of the civil rights leader. The measure directly affects the state by officially recognizing the anniversary of Rustin's death on that date. It highlights his significant contributions to nonviolent activism, including his role as the chief organizer of the 1963 March on Washington and his advocacy for racial and LGBTQ+ equality. The resolution serves as a commemorative gesture rather than establishing new laws or policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Pennsylvania Minority Business Development Authority Act to update how the authority conducts its business development programs. It specifically revises the list of activities and powers granted to the authority, removing a provision related to item (iii) and replacing it with item (ii). These changes refine the legal framework governing the Minority Business Development Program without adding new funding or altering the core mission of the agency. The legislation also maintains the requirement for the authority to submit regular reports on its operations.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs government health programs to cover the cost of medically necessary home blood pressure monitors for pregnant and postpartum individuals. The measure specifically defines "enrollees" as those receiving government-sponsored health care and limits the coverage to devices validated for clinical accuracy. It applies to programs such as the Children's Health Insurance Program and extends the postpartum period to one year following delivery. The changes will become effective 60 days after the bill is enacted.