Rep. Emily Kinkead

Maddy summaryHB 2190 amends Pennsylvania's Public Employe Relations Act to change how collective bargaining impasses are resolved for specific public safety and court staff. It requires binding arbitration for disputes involving prison guards, mental hospital staff, peace officers, and court employees when mediation fails - meaning the arbitrator's decision becomes final and enforceable. However, if an arbitration decision would require new legislation (e.g., changing pay rates or benefits), that part would only be advisory, not binding. The bill directly affects these public employee groups whose work is critical to security and court operations. This change streamlines dispute resolution while maintaining legislative oversight for policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires individuals receiving state assistance to appear in court to establish paternity and secure child support payments when a responsible relative is absent or a potential father is involved. It creates an exception to this requirement for nonparent relatives, such as grandparents, who can choose not to cooperate if the child's parent has specific issues like addiction, incarceration, or death. The legislation defines these nonparent relatives as blood relatives within a certain degree of kinship and allows them to verify their situation through a self-attestation form. If a recipient fails to cooperate without valid reasons, the department may withhold assistance until they comply with the support enforcement process.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law to ban government agencies from signing nondisclosure agreements related to data centers. The law prohibits any contract that restricts the public from accessing information about the construction, development, or location of these facilities. If an agency signs such an agreement, the contract is considered void and unenforceable. The bill defines a data center as a facility used to process, store, or transmit data using computers and software.

Maddy summaryThis bill grants school administrators in Pennsylvania's first-class cities and school districts the right to engage in collective bargaining with their employers. It allows these administrators to negotiate terms regarding pay, working hours, benefits, and dispute resolution through designated representatives. The Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board will handle any disagreements about these bargaining items using the same process applied to other public employees. The changes apply immediately upon the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 2037 updates Pennsylvania's ethics rules for public officials by revising definitions, expanding restrictions on outside activities, and requiring clearer financial disclosures. It directly affects state legislators, executive branch employees, and other public officers who must file financial interest reports. Key changes include modernizing how "restricted activities" (like lobbying) are defined, tightening reporting requirements for investments and income, and adjusting penalties for violations. The bill aims to strengthen transparency in government finances without altering existing ethical standards' core principles.

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 2082 amends Pennsylvania's 1971 Tax Reform Code to clarify how hotel occupancy taxes are collected and distributed. It requires booking agents to collect and remit both the standard 6% state hotel tax (under Section 210(a)) and additional local taxes from specific county or authority laws (like the Community and Economic Improvement Act or county convention center taxes) when processing bookings. Revenue from the standard tax goes to the state Tourism Promotion Fund, while additional local taxes are deposited per county ordinance. The bill also mandates counties to receive monthly transaction details (including fees and taxes) from operators, with these records exempt from public disclosure under the Right-to-Know Law.

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 1700 would amend Pennsylvania's vehicle laws to allow driver's licenses to include a "communication impairment designation" for individuals with conditions affecting speech or hearing, such as hearing loss or speech disorders. This designation would help drivers communicate more effectively with law enforcement during traffic stops by indicating they may need alternative communication methods. The bill also specifies penalties for violations related to this designation, such as failing to accommodate it during stops. It directly affects drivers with communication disabilities and law enforcement officers interacting with them.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance plans in Pennsylvania to cover specific preventive services without charging patients any deductibles, copayments, or coinsurance. The list of covered services is primarily based on recommendations from federal health organizations, such as the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, and is managed by the state Department of Health. While most standard health plans must comply with these requirements, the law explicitly excludes "grandfathered" plans that existed before the bill takes effect. The legislation also establishes a process for the state to add new preventive services or remove existing ones based on current medical evidence and expert recommendations.