Rep. Steve Malagari

Maddy summaryHB 353 requires Pennsylvania's public colleges and universities (including community colleges, rural regional colleges, State System universities, state-related institutions, and Thaddeus Stevens College) to adopt written policies prohibiting antisemitism among faculty, staff, and students to receive state funding. These policies must include a clear definition of antisemitism - described as "a certain perception of Jewish individuals... including rhetorical or physical manifestations" - along with examples of antisemitic activity within their existing discrimination and harassment codes. The bill defines "public institution of higher education" to specify which schools must comply. It takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 287 establishes the Survivor-Centered, Accessible, Fair and Empowering Housing Trust Fund within Pennsylvania's state treasury. The fund provides emergency, transitional, and permanent housing programs with support services specifically for victims and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, human trafficking, and stalking, including their immediate family members. It requires housing programs to be accessible regardless of an individual's sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation. The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency will manage the fund, and the bill amends the state's Fiscal Code to create this dedicated funding source. This is a direct policy change creating a new state trust fund for targeted housing assistance.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House Resolution (HR 19) commemorates Jim Thorpe, a Sac and Fox Nation member and Olympic champion, by designating May 28, 2025, as "Jim Thorpe Day" within the state. The resolution details Thorpe's legacy as a 1912 Olympic pentathlon and decathlon gold medalist (later reinstated), his foundational role in professional football, and his induction into the Football Hall of Fame. It has no policy impact or direct effect on individuals or groups, as it is a symbolic designation. The resolution serves solely to honor Thorpe's historical contributions and cultural significance.

Maddy summaryHB 285 increases fees for constables in Pennsylvania for specific court-related services in both civil and criminal cases. It raises civil service fees (e.g., from $13 to $20 for serving a complaint) and criminal fees (e.g., from $25 to $50 per warrant execution), with updated amounts for levies, sales, returns, and transportation. The bill clarifies that counties do not pay surcharges for indigent defendants in criminal cases. These changes directly affect constables who perform court services and the defendants or counties paying these fees. The bill amends existing statutes to update fee schedules without altering eligibility or procedural requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 290 prohibits food establishments in Pennsylvania from dispensing prepared food in polystyrene containers (like foam cups, bowls, and plates) or selling polystyrene utensils starting July 1, 2025. It directly affects restaurants, cafes, grocery stores, and other food service businesses, while allowing retailers to still sell polystyrene meat trays, egg cartons, and packing materials. Violations carry civil penalties of $500 for a first offense, increasing to $2,000 for subsequent violations. The bill aims to reduce environmental harm from single-use polystyrene and preempts conflicting local ordinances.

Maddy summaryHB 295 amends Pennsylvania's Dog Law to strengthen licensing and sales restrictions for kennels and dog breeders. It prohibits kennel operators and dealers from selling dogs bred by individuals who received serious USDA violations (like critical animal handling violations) within the past two years. The bill also expands license revocation for kennel license holders convicted of animal cruelty offenses (including misdemeanors) and adds whistleblower protections for employees reporting violations under the law or related federal regulations. These changes directly affect dog breeders, kennel operators, and dealers who must comply with stricter licensing rules and sales bans.

Maddy summaryHB 296, the Beagle Freedom Act, prohibits dealers and kennels from selling dogs or cats bred by individuals or facilities that have received certain USDA violations, such as critical violations or two consecutive housing access issues. It requires kennels and animal testing facilities handling research animals to offer dogs and cats for adoption through a local shelter or adoption organization if they no longer need the animal and it poses no health or safety risk, with the offer remaining available for up to 21 days before euthanasia. The bill also mandates annual reporting to the Department of Agriculture on adoptions and provides liability protection for compliant entities. This legislation directly affects research breeders, kennels, and animal testing facilities in Pennsylvania.

Maddy summaryHB 294 adds whistleblower protections for employees reporting potential violations of Pennsylvania's riot and disorderly conduct laws. It designates these employees as covered under the existing 1986 Whistleblower Law when reporting violations in good faith, and treats businesses/nonprofits/government entities as employers under that law for such reports. The bill also amends a statute to exempt animal research conducted lawfully under federal or state law at qualifying research facilities from the riot/disorderly conduct subchapter. This directly affects employees who report violations and research facilities conducting permitted animal studies. The changes take effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 233 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to change rules for charter school board membership. It prohibits local school board members from serving on charter school boards in their district (Section 1716-A(b)) and bars individuals receiving compensation from local school boards from serving on charter school boards if they were involved in the charter's approval (Section 1716-A(b.1)). The bill also requires local school boards to appoint a member to each charter school board (Section 1716-A(b.4)). These changes directly affect charter school boards, local school board members, and employees involved in charter school oversight. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryHB 231 amends Pennsylvania's election code to allow nomination petitions for candidates to be printed on multiple sheets, with each sheet used for signers from different counties. The sheets must be bound together, numbered consecutively, and include a circulator's statement verifying signers' qualifications, residences, and party registration (with exceptions for certain local offices like school boards). This change directly affects candidates seeking nomination and the people collecting signatures for petitions across Pennsylvania. The bill streamlines the petition process without altering voter requirements or eligibility standards. It takes effect 60 days after enactment.