Maddy summaryHB 1238 requires Pennsylvania public schools (including charter and cyber charter schools) to adopt policies restricting student mobile device use during instructional time. School boards must create written policies specifying secure storage options (like lockboxes), retrieval procedures, and parent-communication methods during class. Exceptions allow device use for medical needs, disability accommodations, language learning, volunteer emergency duties, or teacher-approved educational purposes. The bill defines "instructional time" as class periods, excluding breaks or lunch, and prohibits school-owned devices from being covered under this restriction. This policy applies to all students in school buildings during instructional hours.
Rep. Rob Kauffman
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 1207 amends Pennsylvania's Election Code to improve clarity for voters on ballot questions, particularly constitutional amendments. It requires the Legislative Reference Bureau to create plain English summaries of proposed amendments and ballot questions, explaining their purpose and effects. These summaries must be published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin, included in election materials by the Secretary of the Commonwealth, and posted at polling locations. The bill updates existing procedures by specifying the Legislative Reference Bureau - not the Attorney General - as the entity responsible for drafting these explanations and setting ballot wording standards. This directly affects voters receiving clearer information, election officials distributing materials, and the Legislative Reference Bureau in its new role.
Maddy summaryHB 1218 amends Pennsylvania's Election Code to enhance election oversight. It creates an "independent prosecutor" appointed 90 days before primaries to review election complaints (Section 1778), requires the Secretary of the Commonwealth to maintain a fraud hotline and share reports with this prosecutor (Section 201(i)), and mandates county boards to cooperate with election integrity officers (Section 302(n.1)). The bill also requires counties to provide authorized representatives meaningful access to observe absentee ballot canvassing, record meetings with audio-visual recordings (available only after polls close), and investigate concerns (Section 1308(j)). These changes directly affect state election officials, county boards, and election integrity officers by adding new reporting duties, oversight mechanisms, and transparency requirements for election processes.
Maddy summaryHB 1203 amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code of 1971 to expand exemptions from realty transfer tax for certain family transfers. It adds specific relationships - such as between stepparents/stepchildren, grandparents/grandchildren, and siblings - to the list of transactions exempt from the tax, while clarifying that subsequent transfers within one year of the initial exempt transfer become taxable. This directly affects individuals transferring property between these family members, particularly in estate planning or intra-family property movements. The changes apply to transactions occurring after December 31, 2025.
Maddy summaryHB 1199 requires all bills and joint resolutions introduced in the Pennsylvania General Assembly to include a preamble clearly stating the original purpose of the legislation. This procedural change directly affects legislators, staff, and drafters who prepare new bills. The key provision mandates that every introduced bill must contain this concise purpose statement in its preamble, aiming to increase transparency about legislative intent. The bill is procedural in nature and does not address substantive policy issues.
Maddy summaryHB 1221 requires nonprofit organizations entering public-private partnerships with the Pennsylvania state government (via executive order) to meet new transparency standards. Specifically, these nonprofits must comply with Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law, submit annual financial reports to the Governor and General Assembly using standard government accounting practices, publicly disclose all purchases involving state officials within 10 business days, and adhere to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. The bill directly affects nonprofit entities partnering with the Commonwealth, imposing mandatory disclosure and reporting obligations. It takes effect 60 days after enactment, aiming to increase accountability in state-funded nonprofit partnerships.
Maddy summaryHB 1193 proposes a constitutional amendment to update voter qualifications in Pennsylvania. It would lower the voting age from 21 to 18, reduce residency requirements to 30 days for state and local election districts (from 90 and 60 days), and require government-issued ID for in-person voting and mail-in ballots (with signature matching). Voters must also register at least 30 days before an election, with registration requiring pre-confirmation of eligibility. The amendment must be approved by the General Assembly and then by voters in a statewide election.
Maddy summaryHB 1201 amends Pennsylvania's Milk Sanitation Law to allow dairy permit holders to sell raw milk and dairy products containing raw milk. It directly affects licensed dairy producers by removing a prior restriction under 7 Pa. Code § 59a.402(b), which had limited such sales. The bill adds a new provision requiring the Secretary of Agriculture to permit these sales, effective 60 days after enactment. This change specifically updates regulatory handling of raw milk products under existing dairy permits.
Maddy summaryHB 1190 amends Pennsylvania law to automatically classify veteran-owned small businesses as "small diverse businesses" under Title 51 (Military Affairs). This change eliminates the need for veteran-owned small businesses to seek separate verification to qualify under programs designated for small diverse businesses. The bill directly affects veteran entrepreneurs operating small businesses in Pennsylvania who previously faced additional administrative steps. The policy takes effect 60 days after enactment, streamlining access to relevant state contracting and support programs.