Rep. Keith Harris

Maddy summaryHB 36 amends Pennsylvania's 1929 Administrative Code to clarify the Office of State Inspector General's structure and authority. It adds a definition for "enforcement officer" as staff meeting specific criteria (including prior law enforcement classification under 71 Pa.C.S. § 5102), employed by the office to enforce duties under Section 506-A. The bill also explicitly grants enforcement officers the authority to carry firearms during official duties after completing required basic and annual firearms training, subject to the Inspector General's written policies. The changes take effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 1972 amends Pennsylvania's Public Adjuster Licensing Law (1983) to update requirements for public adjusters who represent insurance policyholders in claim disputes. It adds new provisions requiring adjusters to provide written financial interest disclosures to clients and make separate pre-contract disclosures about their services and fees. The bill also clarifies definitions, adjusts licensing fees, and specifies bond requirements for adjusters seeking or maintaining their license. These changes directly affect licensed public adjusters and the policyholders they serve in Pennsylvania.

Maddy summaryHB 2014 amends the 2012 Child Labor Act to clarify rules for minors participating in volunteer emergency service organizations (like junior fire departments or youth emergency response teams). It directly affects minors aged 14-17 who volunteer in these roles by establishing specific safety and supervision requirements. The bill modifies existing provisions to ensure minors' work hours, tasks, and training align with child labor protections during emergency service activities. (Note: Specific new requirements are not detailed in the provided context.) The bill was recently referred to the Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness committee.

Maddy summaryHB 2154 establishes Pennsylvania's Prison Industry Enhancement Authority to create job opportunities for incarcerated individuals in state correctional facilities through partnerships with private industry. The bill requires private companies to employ incarcerated people under specific guidelines, including setting fair wages (with deductions allowed for room/board, victim compensation, and family support), while explicitly prohibiting displacement of civilian jobs or privatization of prisons. It mandates that private sector prison industry programs must operate within the state's "open market" and cannot create competitive advantages for participating businesses. The law aims to develop work skills for post-release employment and strengthen family ties through structured compensation mechanisms.

Maddy summaryHB 2006 requires developers of artificial intelligence applications designed for companionship (such as chatbots for elderly care or mental health support) to implement specific safety standards. It directly affects technology companies creating these AI tools by mandating safeguards against harmful outputs or privacy breaches. The bill establishes a penalty system, including fines, for developers who fail to meet the required safety measures. This legislation aims to protect users interacting with AI companions through concrete regulatory requirements, not speculative outcomes.

Maddy summaryHB 996 repeals an expiration date for a provision regulating basic life support ambulances in Pennsylvania's emergency medical services system. Specifically, it removes the clause stating that exceptions to ambulance standards would expire on April 29, 2027. This change means the existing regulatory exception for basic life support ambulances will remain in effect indefinitely without a future sunset date. The bill directly affects ambulance services and emergency medical providers operating under Pennsylvania's Title 35 health and safety regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 1123 updates Pennsylvania's 1921 Insurance Company Law to require casualty insurance policies to cover colorectal cancer screening without cost-sharing. This affects insured residents in Pennsylvania who need preventive screenings, ensuring they face no copays or deductibles for this specific health service. The key provision mandates insurers to include coverage for colon cancer screenings as a standard benefit under casualty insurance policies. The bill passed final passage on October 29, 2025, and is now pending implementation under the Banking & Insurance committee. This change directly removes financial barriers for early detection of colorectal cancer through existing insurance coverage.

Maddy summaryHB 2544 updates Pennsylvania's Public School Code to establish a formal framework for negotiating compensation and benefits plans for school administrators, including principals and assistant principals. The bill requires school boards to meet with administrators in good faith to create written agreements covering salary schedules, fringe benefits, and performance evaluation processes. These agreements must remain in effect for at least one school year but no longer than five, and they include a nonbinding mediation step for resolving disputes before potential legal appeals. The legislation applies to all public school entities in the state and maintains existing restrictions on strikes while clarifying the definitions of administrative roles and employer responsibilities.

Maddy summaryHB 78 establishes rules for businesses handling consumer data, requiring them to be transparent about data collection, secure personal information, and allow consumers to access or delete their data. It directly affects companies that collect personal information (like names, addresses, or online activity) from residents of the state. Key provisions include mandating clear privacy notices, implementing security measures, and giving consumers control over their data. Violations would result in fines imposed by the state's consumer protection agency. The bill passed final passage in October 2025 and is now law.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House Resolution designates September 11, 2026, as "25th Anniversary of the Terrorist Attacks of September 11, 2001, Day" in the state. The measure formally recognizes the victims of the 2001 attacks, including civilians, military personnel, and first responders who lost their lives. It serves as a commemorative acknowledgment rather than establishing new laws or funding. The resolution aims to honor the memory of those affected and reaffirm the state's commitment to remembering the events and their legacy.