Rep. Emily Kinkead

Maddy summaryHB 1800 would repeal the current legal provisions in Pennsylvania that recognize marriage between people of the same sex by removing specific sections from the domestic relations code. The bill directly affects same-sex couples currently married in Pennsylvania, as it would eliminate the statutory basis for their marriages. Key provisions include amending definitions in the preliminary sections of the code and striking down existing language that addresses same-sex marriage. The bill is currently referred to the Judiciary committee and has not been enacted.

Maddy summaryThis bill would create a state-funded paid family and medical leave program for eligible workers needing time off for health issues, childbirth, or family care. It establishes a dedicated state fund to cover leave costs, creates an advisory board to guide implementation, and assigns oversight to the Department of Labor. The program would directly affect employees in the state who qualify for these leave types, requiring employers to provide the benefits. The bill also specifies penalties for businesses failing to comply with the new requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Election Code to change the deadline for receiving absentee and mail-in ballots from election day to the seventh day following the election. It allows voters who declare under penalty of perjury that their ballot was timely submitted to have their ballots counted even if they lack a postmark or have an unreadable one. The changes apply to both traditional absentee voters and new mail-in voters, ensuring ballots received by the extended deadline are processed and counted. The legislation would take effect 60 days after passage.

Maddy summaryHB 1260 would allow businesses owning warehouses or distribution centers to install solar energy systems by providing tax exemptions for "solar-ready" projects. It directly affects commercial property owners in the state by reducing their tax burden for qualifying solar installations. Key provisions include authorizing special tax breaks, requiring the Department of Environmental Protection to establish guidelines for these projects, and imposing fines for non-compliance with solar-ready construction standards. The bill aims to incentivize renewable energy adoption in large commercial facilities through concrete tax policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania bill, known as the Ghost Job Postings Prevention Act, requires employers with 50 or more employees to include specific details in public job postings and prohibits keeping filled positions open indefinitely. Key provisions mandate that job ads disclose whether the role is existing or anticipated, provide salary ranges and funding status, state how long the posting will remain active, and inform applicants about AI use in hiring decisions. Employers must also remove filled job postings within two weeks, notify job boards of closures, and send status updates to applicants within set timeframes after interviews. Violations could result in fines ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 per violation, with higher penalties up to $25,000 per applicant for data mining or selling applicant information.

Maddy summaryThis bill, HB 2312, would automatically increase Pennsylvania's minimum wage starting December 1, 2026, and every December 1 thereafter. The adjustment would match the percentage increase applied to state officials' salaries under the Public Official Compensation Law, rather than setting a specific dollar amount. Employers across the state would be required to pay workers at least the adjusted minimum wage, with the Department of Labor and Industry overseeing compliance. The law takes effect 60 days after being signed into legislation.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code to increase personal income tax rates for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025. It raises the tax rate for residents and nonresidents from 3.7% to 9.7% on all income, while maintaining a 3.7% rate for specific income categories. The legislation also clarifies how trust income is taxed by aligning Pennsylvania rules with federal Internal Revenue Code provisions regarding grantor trusts.

Maddy summaryHB 300 amends Pennsylvania's Human Relations Act to add explicit protections for religious exercise alongside existing anti-discrimination rules. It directly affects employers, housing providers, and businesses offering public accommodations by prohibiting discrimination based on religion in employment, housing, and public services. The bill updates the law to include religious freedom as a protected category under anti-discrimination provisions. It also clarifies the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission's authority to enforce these protections. The amendment does not create new enforcement mechanisms but integrates religious exercise protections into the existing framework of the 1955 Act.

Maddy summaryHB 501 amends Pennsylvania's Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act to update definitions and clarify requirements for renewable energy compliance. It specifically adds "advanced reactor" (including small modular reactors) to eligible energy sources, refines criteria for low-impact hydropower, and updates definitions for biomass, biogas, and alternative energy credits. The bill affects electric utilities required to meet portfolio standards by specifying which energy sources count toward compliance and how credits are calculated. These changes aim to modernize the framework for renewable energy reporting and incentives without altering current percentage targets. The bill is currently in committee review (Environmental & Natural Resource Protection).

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Liquor Code to update definitions and regulations related to alcohol and malt and brewed beverages, while also introducing provisions for hemp-derived cannabinoid beverages. It establishes new categories for "alcohol service personnel" and "cannabinoid service personnel" to clarify the roles of employees in licensed establishments, and creates a Local Hemp Sharing Fund to support local communities. The legislation also modifies licensing rules for malt and brewed beverages, outlines requirements for responsible alcohol management, and sets penalties for unlawful acts involving these products.