Rep. Emily Kinkead

Maddy summaryHB 350 updates Pennsylvania's domestic relations laws to modernize how parentage is established and how parental rights are handled in adoption and support cases. The bill enacts the Uniform Parentage Act, which introduces new procedures for voluntary acknowledgment of parentage, genetic testing, and legal processes for assisted reproduction and surrogacy. It also repeals older sections regarding paternity acknowledgment and clarifies the rules for terminating parental rights when a father does not contest an adoption hearing. Additionally, the legislation expands the legal grounds for courts to exercise jurisdiction over nonresident parents and ensures clearer notice requirements for all parties involved in these proceedings.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's existing abortion laws to clarify requirements for medical consultations and informed consent. It mandates that, except in medical emergencies, a woman must have a private consultation with a physician to determine if an abortion is necessary based on her physical, emotional, and other relevant circumstances. Additionally, the law requires that at least 24 hours before the procedure, a physician must provide specific information about the procedure, the unborn child, medical risks of carrying the pregnancy to term, and available support services, while also informing the patient of her right to review printed materials. The bill does not create new criminal penalties but rather refines the current legal framework governing how abortions are performed and documented in the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's Medicare Supplement Insurance Act to clarify definitions and establish rules for open enrollment. It defines "medicare supplement policies" to include specific group insurance plans while excluding those offered by certain employers, labor organizations, and professional associations. The legislation requires insurers to issue policies within one month of application and payment, prohibits discrimination based on health status or medical history, and limits preexisting condition exclusions for applicants with at least six months of prior coverage. These changes aim to standardize how these insurance products are sold and ensure broader access for eligible individuals.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Health Care Facilities Act to require licensed hospitals providing general medical and surgical services to offer emergency care to anyone arriving with an injury or acute medical condition. The law mandates that these services include medical screening, stabilizing treatment, and protections against discrimination or delays, while allowing specific types of hospitals like long-term acute care facilities to opt out. Notably, the bill explicitly defines stabilizing treatment to include abortion when it is necessary to resolve a patient's injury or acute medical condition. These requirements must follow existing federal guidelines and state rules, and the changes will take effect 60 days after the bill is enacted.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits service providers and vehicle lessors in Pennsylvania from charging early termination fees when a contract holder dies before the agreement ends. It directly affects families and estate administrators who need to cancel contracts for utilities, telecommunications, or car leases after a death. To enforce this, the law requires the executor of the estate to provide written notice along with a death certificate within 180 days, and providers must waive the fees upon receiving this documentation. Any company that charges these fees in violation of the act faces penalties under the state's Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law. The rules apply to contracts signed on or after the bill's effective date, which is set to occur 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the Pennsylvania Food Bucks Program to require grantees to verify the residency of every SNAP recipient receiving benefits. It specifically prohibits providing benefit incentives to individuals who are not residents of Pennsylvania or who are not lawful residents of the United States. Additionally, the legislation mandates that program evaluators conduct biennial reviews and publish detailed reports on funding usage, geographic distribution, and participating retailers. The bill also grants the department authority to refer suspected immigration law violations to enforcement agencies. These changes directly affect the administration of the food incentive program and the eligibility criteria for participating SNAP recipients.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Workplace Misclassification Act, establishes clearer rules for determining when workers in Pennsylvania are classified as independent contractors versus employees, primarily affecting businesses and workers outside the construction industry. To qualify as an independent contractor, an individual must have a specific written contract, operate their own business with their own tools, and be free from the hiring company's control over how they perform their work. The law also creates new penalties for employers who incorrectly classify workers, including the ability for the Department of Labor and Industry to issue stop-work orders and ban companies from future public contracts. Additionally, the act allows individuals to sue for violations and prohibits employers from retaliating against workers who report misclassification issues.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's Tax Increment Financing Act by clarifying definitions and extending the maximum lifespan of tax increment districts from 20 to 25 years. It provides a more detailed list of allowable project costs, explicitly including expenses related to preventing displacement, such as affordable housing initiatives, job training programs, and public improvements. The legislation also allows municipalities to use these financing tools to fund a wider range of redevelopment activities, including infrastructure repairs outside district boundaries that directly benefit the project.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's agricultural laws to establish a financial assistance program for dairy margin coverage, which helps dairy farmers manage price volatility. A key provision requires the state department to prioritize helping new producers enroll in and purchase this coverage. The legislation also includes minor editorial changes to clarify the program's title and definitions within the relevant statutes.

Maddy summaryHB 2370 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to update regulations for public schools and charter schools, with specific new rules on advertising and funding. The bill requires public schools to clearly state that any advertised costs for tuition or technology are paid by taxpayers and prohibits schools from using taxpayer money to sponsor public events. It also establishes reporting requirements for school advertising expenditures and expands definitions related to charter school management and enrollment. Additionally, the legislation modifies how student-weighted basic education funding is calculated and introduces new accountability grants for the state.