Rep. Andrew Kuzma

Maddy summaryPennsylvania House Bill 1684 updates state laws regarding child custody by establishing clearer definitions for terms like "equal parenting time" and "supervised physical custody." The bill introduces a rebuttable presumption that shared physical custody and equal parenting time are in a child's best interest during temporary custody orders, requiring courts to maximize time with each parent unless specific factors suggest otherwise. It also outlines new procedures for obtaining temporary custody orders based on affidavits and agreements, while expanding the list of factors judges must consider, including any criminal convictions of the parents. These changes aim to standardize how courts evaluate custody arrangements and ensure that parenting plans are explicitly detailed in legal orders.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new crime called institutional trespass in Pennsylvania to specifically protect places like schools, churches, government buildings, and cemeteries. It makes it a third-degree felony for anyone who knowingly enters or stays in these locations with the intent to threaten people, start fires, damage property, or disrupt operations. The law applies to both the buildings themselves and the grounds surrounding them, as well as any personal property found inside. Once passed, the changes will take effect 60 days later.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Pennsylvania's tax laws by adjusting personal income tax rates and eliminating a specific tax on the gross receipts from the sale of electric energy. It requires electric utilities to pass the savings from these tax changes directly to consumers through reductions in state tax surcharges, with civil penalties of up to $5,000 for companies that fail to do so. Additionally, the legislation mandates that $6 million annually be transferred to the Alternative Fuels Incentive Fund starting in the 2024-2025 fiscal year. The bill also establishes a revenue-neutral reconciliation rule that will remain in effect until the end of 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the World Health Organization, the United Nations, and the World Economic Forum from exercising any jurisdiction or authority within Pennsylvania. It explicitly bans state and local government agencies from enforcing, implementing, or complying with any rules, regulations, fees, taxes, or mandates issued by these three international groups. The law takes effect 60 days after being signed into legislation.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends a House resolution that urges Congress to continue supporting Taiwan and marks the 45th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act. The specific changes remove references to the Organization and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change from the resolution text. These edits refine the language of the commemorative measure without altering its core message of support for Taiwan.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Pennsylvania schools to provide instruction on the Holocaust, genocide, and human rights violations. It mandates that the State Board of Education conduct a study every five years starting in the 2024-2025 school year to assess how widely these topics are taught across the state. Based on the study's findings, the board must create rules requiring all schools to offer this instruction if fewer than 90% of schools are currently doing so. The report generated by this study will be sent to state leaders and include recommendations for improving how the subject is taught.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes electric and natural gas suppliers in Pennsylvania to issue consolidated bills that combine charges for both retail energy services and the underlying distribution and transmission fees. By enabling suppliers to directly bill customers for all energy-related costs, the legislation aims to allow providers to create customized pricing plans, such as time-of-use rates or renewable energy options, based on data from smart meters. The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission would be responsible for overseeing the implementation of these new billing practices and enforcing penalties for non-compliance. While the bill outlines a policy to enhance competition and consumer choice, it does not mandate that all customers switch to these new billing methods.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's Human Services Code to help long-term care nursing facilities manage unpaid care costs while waiting for medical assistance decisions. It allows facilities to request payments for uncompensated care after an application has been pending for at least sixty days due to delays or denials with appeals. If the application is eventually denied, the state can recover these payments, but if approved, the state will offset future benefits by the amount already paid. Additionally, the bill requires the state to provide nursing homes with specific application status updates within five business days if the facility has obtained the applicant's permission to share that information.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's legal rules to clarify how courts should determine the intent behind state laws when the wording is unclear. It specifically instructs judges to consider official interpretations provided by the General Assembly and administrative agencies as evidence of legislative intent. By codifying this approach, the legislation aims to ensure that the original purpose of statutes is respected during legal disputes. The changes apply immediately to all future cases involving statutory interpretation in the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's Controlled Substance Act to include specific regulations for the secure storage of xylazine, a veterinary sedative. It directly affects veterinarians by requiring them to store xylazine under the same strict safety and protection rules currently applied to other controlled substances. The legislation ensures that veterinarians comply with existing pharmacy storage standards to prevent misuse or theft of the drug.