Rep. Thomas Kutz

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code to exempt sales and use of specific baby items from state sales tax for a family's first child. The new provision allows parents to purchase child passenger restraint systems, formula feeding supplies, and teethers without paying tax, provided the child is their oldest or only child at the time of purchase. The Department of Revenue is required to publish online guidance to help clarify how these exclusions will be implemented. The changes are scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026, or immediately if that date has already passed.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House Resolution designates May 2026 as "Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Awareness Month" to highlight the impact of ALS on patients and their families. The bill does not change laws or allocate funding; instead, it serves as a symbolic gesture to increase public understanding of the disease and support ongoing research efforts. By formally recognizing the month, the resolution aims to draw attention to the challenges faced by those living with ALS and the importance of continued medical investigation.

Maddy summaryThis is a symbolic resolution (not a law) passed by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. It formally recognizes January 2026 as "Human Trafficking Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania. The resolution does not create new laws, impose requirements, or directly affect any specific group. It serves only to raise public awareness about human trafficking, referencing existing federal definitions and statistics on the issue.

Maddy summaryHB 668 would allow Pennsylvania to join the Counseling Compact, an existing agreement between states. This would let licensed counselors from other participating states practice in Pennsylvania more easily, and allow Pennsylvania counselors to practice in those states without obtaining separate licenses. The bill's key mechanism is adopting the standard compact form, creating a streamlined process for cross-state counseling licensure without changing existing state licensing requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 910 amends Pennsylvania's criminal code to elevate "dealing in infant children" from a misdemeanor to a first-degree felony. It makes it a crime to trade, buy, sell, or deal with infants under one year old, directly targeting individuals involved in illegal infant trafficking. The bill explicitly excludes legal surrogacy and adoption from this offense. This law takes effect 60 days after enactment, focusing on criminalizing the commercial exchange of very young children.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code to temporarily exempt children's books, toys, and musical instruments from sales and use tax. The exemption applies only to individual buyers purchasing these items for personal use during a six-month window starting when the law takes effect. The legislation defines eligible items as those marketed for children aged 12 and under and clarifies that the tax break applies if payment is made within the six-month period, even if delivery occurs later. Additionally, the Department of Revenue will publish online guidance to help consumers understand how to claim this temporary exclusion.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania bill, HB 2457, amends the state's Tax Reform Code to temporarily exempt individuals from paying sales and use tax on tools purchased for home or auto repair. The change applies only during a six-month window starting on July 1, 2026, and covers both handheld and stationary tools along with necessary accessories. To implement this, the Department of Revenue will publish online guidance, and the tax exemption applies to purchases made within the six-month period even if delivery occurs afterward.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to temporarily exempt the sales and use tax on cribs, crib mattresses, and strollers in Pennsylvania. The exemption applies only to individual buyers purchasing these items for personal use during a six-month period starting July 1, 2026. Under the new rules, a sale is considered to occur when an individual places an order and pays for the item within that six-month window, even if delivery happens later. The Department of Revenue will issue online guidance to help businesses and consumers understand how to apply this temporary tax break.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires school districts in Pennsylvania to follow specific guidelines when hiring vendors to create detailed maps of their campuses for emergency response purposes. The new rules mandate that these maps be accurate, include labeled floor plans and utility locations, and be compatible with existing public safety software without extra costs. Additionally, the data must be stored securely within the United States, and districts must obtain approval from local law enforcement before entering into such contracts.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 2395 amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code to temporarily exempt individuals from paying sales and use tax on lumber purchased for personal, non-business use. The bill defines 'lumber' as processed hardwood or softwood intended for construction and sets a six-month window starting July 1, 2026, during which this tax break applies. To ensure clarity, the Department of Revenue is required to publish online guidance explaining how to implement this temporary exclusion.