Rep. Rob Kauffman

Maddy summaryHB 1839 amends Pennsylvania's Sexual Assault Testing and Evidence Collection Act by updating definitions related to evidence handling and clarifying requirements for agencies collecting sexual assault evidence. It adds specific penalties for agencies that fail to comply with these procedures. The bill directly affects law enforcement, medical facilities, and crime labs responsible for processing sexual assault evidence. Key changes include standardized protocols for evidence collection and retention to improve case integrity. The bill was referred to the Judiciary Committee on September 9, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1846 amends Pennsylvania's 1971 Tax Reform Code to exempt compensation earned by individuals under 18 years old from personal income tax. This provision directly affects minor workers, such as teenagers with part-time jobs or summer employment, by excluding their earnings from taxable income. The bill adds a new tax exemption clause (303(a.7)(2)(i)(F)) specifying that compensation received by under-18 taxpayers is not subject to tax. The exemption applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025, and takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryHB 1844 amends Pennsylvania's criminal code (Title 18) to clarify definitions related to abortion and establish requirements for medical consultation and judgment in abortion cases. The bill directly affects healthcare providers who perform abortions by setting legal standards for patient consultations and medical decision-making. Key provisions include adding specific definitions to reduce ambiguity in abortion-related criminal cases and mandating that medical decisions be based on professional judgment and patient consultation. The bill was referred to the Health committee on September 9, 2025, for further review.

Maddy summaryHB 1837 would create a new criminal offense called "child torture" under Pennsylvania's Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) statute, specifically within the section addressing family offenses. This bill directly affects individuals who commit severe physical or psychological abuse against children, adding a distinct legal charge for such acts. The key mechanism involves amending existing laws to define and categorize "child torture" as a specific offense, separate from other child abuse crimes. This would provide prosecutors with a targeted legal framework to address extreme cases of child maltreatment.

Maddy summaryHB 1845 amends Pennsylvania's Safe Drinking Water Act to update definitions related to water quality standards and address public nuisances involving drinking water. This bill would directly affect water suppliers, public health agencies, and communities by clarifying legal terms and procedures for handling unsafe water conditions. Key provisions include revising terminology to better align with current regulatory needs and establishing clearer pathways for addressing public nuisances, such as contaminated water sources. However, the specific details of these changes are not provided in the available context, so the exact scope and impact cannot be fully described. The bill has been referred to the Health committee for further consideration.

Maddy summaryHB 1815 would repeal the 1935 Individual Net Income Tax Act (P.L.970, No.314), which was the state's original personal income tax law. This bill removes the outdated 1935 statute from the legal code. The repeal would affect the state's tax legal framework but would not change current tax rates or filing procedures.

Maddy summaryHB 1781 requires organizations receiving Pennsylvania state grants (like nonprofits or contractors) to verify the employment eligibility of new employees using the federal E-Verify system. It establishes a Commonwealth Grantee Employment Verification Account and mandates that grant recipients complete a specific verification form confirming their use of E-Verify before receiving grant funds. The bill imposes penalties for willful violations, such as failing to verify eligibility or providing false information, and prohibits discrimination during verification. This applies to all grantees, contractors, and subcontractors funded by state grants used for employee wages, directly affecting entities receiving public funding.

Maddy summaryHB 1782 designates September 17 as "Constitution Day" in Pennsylvania, aligning with the federal observance established in 1962. The bill encourages publicly funded schools and universities to hold educational programs about the U.S. Constitution on that date but explicitly states it does not require employers to treat the day as a paid holiday or official holiday. This is a symbolic designation without new mandates or funding.

Maddy summaryHB 1763 aligns Pennsylvania's tax credit program with a federal tax credit for contributions to scholarship organizations. It requires scholarship organizations in Pennsylvania to verify their tax-exempt status, maintain separate accounts for scholarship funds, provide scholarships to at least 10 students from different schools, spend 90% of income on scholarships, and verify applicants' household income to ensure eligibility. Organizations must submit compliance documentation by June 1, 2026, and annually thereafter, with the state department confirming their eligibility for the federal tax credit. This directly affects scholarship organizations seeking to participate in the federal tax credit program, ensuring they meet federal requirements to allow donors to claim tax benefits.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes adding a new constitutional amendment to Pennsylvania's state constitution that explicitly prohibits denying or limiting rights based on sex. It would directly affect all Pennsylvanians by requiring the state to guarantee equal rights regardless of gender, strengthening legal protections against sex-based discrimination. The key mechanism is amending the constitution to include this explicit guarantee, making such discrimination unconstitutional. Currently, the bill has been referred to the Judiciary committee for review.