Rep. Tarik Khan

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania bill creates a new tax credit for active-duty military personnel, National Guard members, and reservists to encourage fitness spending. It allows these service members to claim up to $600 per year against their state income tax for costs related to sports and fitness activities, such as gym memberships or exercise equipment. The legislation also adds specific rules to the tax code that permit businesses to deduct the cost of providing free or discounted gym memberships to qualified military individuals, provided the discount does not exceed the standard membership price paid by others. These changes apply to tax years beginning after December 31, 2023, and are administered by the Department of Revenue.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's personal income tax code to exclude specific student loan forgiveness amounts from taxation. It directly affects borrowers who receive loan discharge through federally qualified programs and employers providing educational assistance. The legislation defines eligible loans as those issued under federal student assistance laws and limits tax-free forgiveness to programs established by the federal Department of Education. These tax exemptions will apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new Earned Paid Leave Act that requires employers to allow employees to accrue and use paid time off after working for 90 days. Under the program, workers earn one hour of paid leave for every 40 hours worked, with a maximum cap of 40 hours per year, and they must be paid their regular rate of pay while on leave. The legislation also creates a Small Business Grant Program and assigns specific duties to the Department of Labor and Industry for administering the law and enforcing penalties for violations.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's Sign Language Interpreter and Transliterator State Registration Act to expand its scope to include individuals serving deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing people. It introduces new definitions for key terms like "video remote interpreting" and establishes specific standards for recognizing national certifications from organizations such as the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf. The legislation mandates that anyone providing these services must be registered with the Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, with exceptions made for religious settings, emergency situations, and supervised academic internships. Additionally, the bill requires the office to annually review and publish a list of approved educational alternative pathway programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires minors under 18 in Pennsylvania to complete educational materials on distracted driving and work zone safety before they can take their driver's license exam. Additionally, the written test for a driver's license will include at least one question about safe driving in work zones, and the state driver's manual will be updated to cover this topic. These changes aim to ensure that new drivers, particularly young ones, have specific knowledge about hazards in construction areas and while using electronic devices before they are licensed.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution designates September 2024 as "Emergency Preparedness Month" throughout Pennsylvania to encourage residents to review and improve their disaster readiness. The measure highlights the importance of being prepared for various hazards, including natural disasters and cyber attacks, by promoting awareness of risks and available resources. It also formally acknowledges the efforts of the many volunteers and staff members who assist communities during emergencies.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House resolution designates September 29, 2024, as "VFW Day" to honor the Veterans of Foreign Wars organization. The measure commemorates the date the VFW was founded in 1899 and acknowledges the group's history of advocating for veterans' rights and benefits. It encourages all Pennsylvanians to recognize and support the VFW and its members for their service to veterans and the community.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates September 2024 as "Back to School Month" throughout Pennsylvania. It is a symbolic resolution intended to highlight the start of the academic year and the state's commitment to public education. The measure does not create new laws, funding, or administrative requirements but serves to recognize the importance of schools for students, families, and educators.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House resolution formally recognizes September 2024 as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and designates September 10, 2024, as World Suicide Prevention Day within the state. The measure is sponsored by a group of representatives and addresses the issue by officially highlighting these dates to raise public awareness about suicide prevention. It encourages residents of Pennsylvania to offer support to those struggling with mental health challenges, aiming to reduce the stigma that often prevents people from seeking help.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House Resolution designates November 2024 as "Veterans and Military Families Month" to honor the state's large veteran population and their families. The measure serves as a symbolic gesture to acknowledge the sacrifices made by service members and to highlight the support provided by the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. It does not create new laws or funding but directs a copy of the resolution to the relevant state department for record-keeping.