Rep. Keith Harris

Maddy summaryHB 1916 amends Pennsylvania's turnpike toll collection rules to require the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission to provide customers with at least six months to appeal video toll charges posted to their accounts. The bill directly affects drivers who receive automated video toll notices for tolls collected via cameras. Its key provision (adding Section 8117(d.1)(4)) mandates this extended appeal period, replacing any shorter timeframe previously allowed. The change applies to all electronic tolls collected through video systems on the turnpike system.

Maddy summaryHB 1212 requires Pennsylvania maternal health programs to provide drug screening and awareness education to patients. It also mandates the inclusion of fatherhood engagement strategies in prenatal care discussions, directly affecting pregnant individuals and their partners receiving maternal health services. The bill imposes specific duties on the Joint State Government Commission to develop and oversee these program requirements. These provisions aim to integrate substance use prevention and family involvement into standard maternal health care protocols.

Maddy summaryHB 97 updates Pennsylvania's divorce laws regarding the division of marital property. It amends Title 23 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes to clarify the process for fair division of assets between spouses during divorce proceedings. The bill specifically revises definitions, legislative intent, and procedures for courts to equitably divide property acquired during marriage. This change directly affects Pennsylvania couples filing for divorce and aims to provide clearer guidelines for judges handling property division cases. The bill passed the House of Representatives on September 29, 2025, and is now before the Judiciary Committee.

Maddy summaryHB 1108 amends the state's child care assistance program by changing the copayment requirements for low-income families using subsidized child care under public assistance. It directly affects families enrolled in the program who currently pay monthly fees for child care services. The bill modifies the specific payment amounts families must contribute toward their child care costs. The legislation also includes a repeal of related provisions in the Human Services Code, though the specific repealed sections are not detailed in the provided context.

Maddy summaryHB 1911 amends Pennsylvania's criminal code to require individuals who commit "swatting" to pay for the costs incurred by law enforcement responding to their false emergency reports. It directly affects people who intentionally make false reports to trigger a police SWAT response at someone else's home. The key provision establishes that perpetrators must reimburse law enforcement agencies for the actual expenses of the response, including officer time and equipment. This bill focuses on holding swatting offenders financially accountable for the resources they waste.

Maddy summaryHB 1912 would create a new criminal offense in Pennsylvania for "swatting," defined as making a false emergency report to law enforcement to provoke a high-risk police response (like sending a SWAT team) at a victim's location. The bill directly affects individuals who intentionally submit false reports for the purpose of causing fear, harm, or disruption to others. It amends Pennsylvania’s criminal code (Title 18) to specifically address swatting under the section on falsification and intimidation. This would provide a clear legal standard for prosecuting such acts, which currently may not be adequately covered under existing laws.

Maddy summaryHB 1866 would have expanded Pennsylvania's definition of "prohibited offensive weapons" under criminal law to include specific items like modified firearms and certain knives, making it a crime to attempt to obtain or possess them. The bill aimed to clarify that inchoate offenses (such as attempted possession) involving these weapons would be punishable under existing statutes. It directly affected individuals facing charges related to preparing to obtain or carry these weapons. However, the bill was defeated during final passage on October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates September 2025 as "Suicide Prevention Awareness Month" and September 10, 2025, as "World Suicide Prevention Day" within Pennsylvania. It serves as a symbolic recognition by the state legislature to highlight suicide prevention efforts and raise public awareness during these designated periods. The resolution does not create new programs, funding, or legal requirements; it is a formal declaration to support existing community and organizational initiatives. Pennsylvania residents and local suicide prevention groups are the direct audience for this recognition.

Maddy summaryHB 1895 establishes Pennsylvania's Agriculture Innovation Grant Program and an Agriculture Innovation Board under Title 3 of the state's statutes. The bill creates a program to provide grants supporting agricultural innovation, though specific funding levels or eligibility criteria are not detailed in the provided context. It also includes a repeal of existing provisions, though the exact repealed sections are not specified. The bill aims to advance agricultural innovation through these new structures, directly affecting entities eligible for the grant program and the board's oversight.

Maddy summaryHB 1903 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to update the Safe2Say Program, a school safety reporting system, by clarifying definitions and enhancing program requirements. It also adds new requirements for colleges and universities, mandating they establish written policies addressing sexual harassment and sexual violence, along with implementing an online reporting system for incidents. The bill directly affects public schools and postsecondary institutions by changing how they handle safety reporting and campus conduct policies. Key provisions include standardizing definitions for consistency and requiring institutions to provide accessible online reporting tools for students. These changes aim to improve clarity and accessibility in addressing safety and harassment concerns across educational settings.