Rep. Emily Kinkead

Maddy summaryHB 921 establishes Pennsylvania's Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program to help residents with overdue water or wastewater bills after the federal program ends. It requires the Department of Human Services to create the program by July 1, 2026, with eligibility based on income, owning/renting a home in PA, and having overdue bills (including termination notices). Water or wastewater utility companies can apply for grants on behalf of eligible customers to prevent service termination, pay past-due bills, or restore services. The program mandates annual reports to the Governor and legislative committees detailing grant recipients, amounts, and expenditures. This policy directly affects low-income households facing water service disruptions and utility providers serving them.

Maddy summaryHB 1374 changes Pennsylvania's fee structure for birth records issued by the Department of Health. It requires the Department to provide one free certified copy of a birth record to anyone born in Pennsylvania upon request, and allows a second copy within the same four-year period at no cost. For any additional certified copies requested during that four-year window, the Department must charge a $20 fee. This policy directly affects Pennsylvania residents seeking birth records for personal, medical, or legal purposes. The bill amends the 1929 Administrative Code to implement this fee structure.

Maddy summaryHB 1302, the Medical Debt Interest Act, caps the interest rate on unpaid medical bills at 6% for healthcare providers (like hospitals and doctors) and medical debt collectors in Pennsylvania. The bill prohibits charging more than 6% interest on medical debt and classifies violations as unfair business practices under existing consumer protection law, allowing individuals to seek court enforcement. It takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 502 establishes the Reliable Energy Siting and Electric Transition Board within the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. This board is tasked with creating a statewide process for siting large-scale electric generation and energy storage facilities (25+ megawatts for generators, 10+ megawatts for storage). Companies proposing such facilities can seek a "certificate of reliable energy supply" from the board. This certificate aims to ensure efficient development of new energy resources while protecting human health, safety, and the environment. The board comprises representatives from state agencies, labor, and industry, and has the authority to approve or deny applications for these certificates.

Maddy summaryHB 503 establishes the Pennsylvania Climate Emissions Reduction (PACER) Program, creating a state-run "cap-and-invest" system to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from the power sector. The program requires the Department of Environmental Protection to conduct Pennsylvania-run auctions for CO2 allowances, with specific rules for eligible participants, such as electricity generators and financial institutions. Revenue from these auctions will be directed into several designated accounts, including those for consumer protection, energy transformation, workforce enhancement, and low-income support. Upon the program's establishment, Pennsylvania would cease participation in other carbon auction programs related to the electric generation sector.

Maddy summaryHB 1223 amends Pennsylvania's Podiatry Practice Act to remove a specific citizenship requirement from the application process for podiatry licenses. The bill deletes language requiring applicants to prove U.S. citizenship or intent to become a citizen, while keeping all other requirements intact (such as graduation from an accredited school, age, moral character, and residency). This change directly affects future applicants seeking podiatry licensure in Pennsylvania by simplifying one part of their application documentation. The amendment modifies Section 4 of the existing law without altering practice standards or patient care requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 1281 establishes clear duties for Pennsylvania law enforcement, prosecutors, and courts (referred to as "certifying agencies") when processing certification forms required for U visas. The bill directly affects crime victims seeking U visas (which require certification that they were helpful to investigations), their legal representatives, and the agencies handling these requests. Key provisions require certifying officials to respond to petitions, develop and publicly post a detailed processing protocol (including online), and maintain records of all certifications. This bill does not change U visa eligibility but standardizes how Pennsylvania agencies handle the certification process for victims of qualifying crimes.

Maddy summaryHB 1285 prohibits Pennsylvania Commonwealth government entities, law enforcement agencies, peace officers, and political subdivisions from cooperating with out-of-state investigations related to abortion. These entities are forbidden from providing information or using resources to assist investigations that seek to impose civil or criminal liability for abortion services or related activities that are legal in Pennsylvania. This includes actions like providing, seeking, receiving, or assisting with abortion or related inquiries. The bill does not apply if the out-of-state investigation itself would violate Pennsylvania law.

Maddy summaryHB 1229 amends Pennsylvania's 1931 Barbers' License Law to add citizenship and residency requirements for members of the State Board of Barber Examiners. Specifically, it requires that all six professional barber board members must be U.S. citizens and Pennsylvania residents, in addition to already needing to be registered barbers with five years of practice. This change affects the composition of the board that oversees barber licensing and regulation, not the licensing process itself. The bill is a minor procedural update to board membership qualifications and has not yet been enacted.

Maddy summaryHB 1230 amends Pennsylvania's Real Estate Appraisers Certification Act to require that all members of the State Board of Certified Real Estate Appraisers have resided in Pennsylvania for at least two years prior to appointment. This change directly affects the board's membership selection process, which oversees the certification of real estate appraisers. The bill does not alter the board's composition (six appraisers, two evaluators, and two public members) but adds the residency requirement and clarifies that a member can serve as both an appraiser and evaluator if their appointment specifies the role. The amendment takes effect 60 days after enactment.