Rep. La'Tasha Mayes

Maddy summaryThis bill designates June 1, 2026, as "Links Day" in Pennsylvania to honor The Links, Incorporated, a volunteer service organization founded by African American women in 1946. The resolution recognizes the group's significant contributions to community service, economic advancement, and cultural growth through its various chapters across the state. Additionally, the bill formally acknowledges specific Pennsylvania chapters for their outstanding work and directs that a copy of the resolution be sent to the organization as a token of appreciation.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House resolution designates April 14, 2026, as "Animal Control Officer and Animal Cruelty Officer Day" and recognizes April 12-18, 2026, as "National Animal Control Appreciation Week" within the state. It formally acknowledges the work of animal control and cruelty officers who investigate animal abuse, protect animals from harm, and handle stray or abandoned animals. The resolution has no legal effect or policy changes - it is solely a symbolic gesture of recognition with no funding or new requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 1826 amends Pennsylvania's Human Relations Act by updating key definitions to clarify anti-discrimination protections in employment. It lowers the minimum employee threshold for businesses to be considered "employers" from four to two workers, expanding coverage to more small businesses. The bill also explicitly includes religious, charitable, and similar organizations as employers for discrimination based on race, color, age, sex, national origin, or disability - previously excluded for these categories. Additionally, it revises the definition of "employee" to focus on employer control over work while maintaining exclusions for casual domestic workers and family employees (e.g., parents, spouses, or children).

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 993 creates an official logotype for veteran-owned businesses in Pennsylvania. The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs will develop this logotype and establish an application process and eligibility guidelines for businesses to use it. A veteran-owned business is defined as one where at least 51% of the ownership is held by a veteran. The bill also establishes a penalty for fraudulently claiming veteran status to use the logotype and creates a Veteran-Owned Business Coordinator to assist veteran entrepreneurs.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes Pennsylvania municipalities to install automated road safety monitoring systems in school zones to issue citations for traffic violations. Local governments may contract with private vendors to manage these systems and collect fines, which are set at $40 for each violation. The legislation establishes that the registered vehicle owner is liable for the penalty and requires detailed notifications to include photographic evidence and appeal instructions. Additionally, the bill mandates a 30-day grace period where municipalities can issue written warnings instead of fines to educate drivers before enforcement begins.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's tax incentives for computer data centers by adding new requirements for owners and operators seeking tax refunds or exemptions. To qualify, facilities must submit detailed applications including investment projections and signed affirmations from authorized executives. Additionally, the legislation mandates that certified data centers obtain an environmental certification, such as LEED Silver or Energy Star, within two years of receiving their initial certification.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new tax credit for individuals employed as direct support professionals who assist people with developmental or intellectual disabilities. To qualify, workers must have an adjusted gross income of less than $100,000 and can claim a credit of up to $1,000 against their state taxes, with any unused portion refunded as cash. The program is limited to a total of $2 million per fiscal year and will be available from 2026 through 2030.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House Resolution designates April 2026 as "National Arab American Heritage Month" to honor the state's significant Arab American community. The measure highlights the group's long history in the region, their diverse contributions to society, and their cultural traditions. It also acknowledges the challenges of discrimination faced by Arab Americans and encourages residents to celebrate their heritage.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to exempt certain early withdrawals from specific accounts from Pennsylvania personal income tax, mirroring existing federal tax rules. It directly affects parents and first-time homebuyers by allowing them to withdraw up to $5,000 individually or $10,000 jointly for a child's birth or adoption, and up to $10,000 for a home purchase. The legislation applies to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2027, and becomes effective 60 days after passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania laws to restrict how juvenile suspects are held in police lockups and defines where they can be detained before a court hearing. It generally prohibits keeping children in adult police facilities, allowing it only for short periods under six hours for tasks like identification or processing, provided the child is separated from adults and under constant supervision. For longer-term detention, the law requires judges to confirm that no less restrictive option exists and mandates that children be placed in approved juvenile facilities rather than adult prisons. Additionally, the bill clarifies that children facing serious charges are entitled to an immediate bail hearing if they are held before trial.