Rep. Rob Kauffman

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's budget rules by requiring the state to submit a seven-year financial plan to the General Assembly. The new requirement mandates that the budget include actual spending from the previous year, current available funds, the proposed budget for the next year, and estimated accounts for the following four years. This change directly affects how the executive branch prepares and presents financial information to lawmakers. The law will become active 60 days after it is signed.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits Pennsylvania school districts and other educational institutions from purchasing or using biometric identifying technology for any purpose, including school security. It defines biometric technology as tools that verify identity through physical or behavioral characteristics like fingerprints, facial features, voice, or DNA. The law applies to all types of public and private schools within the state and takes effect 30 days after passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new crime called masked intimidation in Pennsylvania, which occurs when someone wearing a facial covering intentionally harasses, intimidates, or threatens another person or group with the goal of making them fear for their physical safety. The offense is classified as a third-degree misdemeanor, but the law includes specific exceptions that allow individuals to wear masks for purposes such as costumes, religious reasons, occupational safety, weather protection, or health measures like limiting the spread of illness. The legislation explicitly states that it does not infringe upon First Amendment rights and defines key terms like harassment and intimidation to focus on conduct based on protected characteristics such as race, religion, or gender identity.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's human trafficking laws to explicitly criminalize the act of helping undocumented immigrants enter or stay in the state in violation of federal law. It defines the offense as encouraging or inducing an undocumented immigrant to remain by concealing, harboring, or shielding them from detection. The legislation establishes this as a third-degree felony, but upgrades it to a more serious second-degree felony if the actions endanger the immigrant's life, involve a minor, or subject them to labor or sexual servitude.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania bill requires individuals who become sponsors for unaccompanied alien children to undergo background checks before they can legally represent those children in legal proceedings. The law mandates that sponsors submit background check information to the Department of Human Services within 30 days of taking on the role and prohibits any sponsor from representing a child if they have not completed this check or would have been denied employment due to criminal history. By adding a new chapter to the state's domestic relations statutes, the legislation aims to ensure that adults advocating for these minors have been vetted for safety concerns prior to interacting with them in official settings.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Grant Recipient Employee Verification Act, requires businesses in Pennsylvania that receive state grants to verify the work authorization status of their employees using the federal E-Verify system. It prohibits these employers from knowingly hiring individuals who are not legally allowed to work in the United States and mandates that they keep records of these verifications for the duration of employment or three years, whichever is longer. The Department of Labor and Industry will be tasked with investigating complaints about violations, which includes the power to inspect business records and interview employees. Employers who fail to comply with these new verification requirements face potential penalties, while individuals filing false complaints could face criminal charges.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires hotels and motels in Pennsylvania with at least 150 guest rooms to verify the work authorization status of their employees using the federal E-Verify system. Under the new rules, these employers are prohibited from knowingly hiring individuals who lack the legal right to work in the United States and must keep records of these verifications for the duration of employment or three years, whichever is longer. The Department of Labor and Industry will be tasked with creating a complaint form for reporting violations and will gain the authority to inspect business records and interview staff to ensure compliance. Penalties for knowingly employing unauthorized workers or providing false information on complaint forms are also established within the legislation.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates October 14, 2024, as "William Penn Day" in Pennsylvania to mark the 380th birthday of William Penn, the state's founding father. The bill honors Penn's role in establishing the colony, his advocacy for religious freedom, and his creation of Philadelphia and the state's early government. While it does not create a public holiday or alter laws, it formally recognizes his legacy and encourages Pennsylvanians to acknowledge his contributions to the Commonwealth.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House Resolution formally recognizes November 11, 2024, as Veterans Day within the state. The measure highlights the significant number of veterans living in Pennsylvania and their contributions to the community and workforce. By passing this resolution, the legislature aims to honor the service and sacrifice of these individuals without creating any new laws or funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's election laws to require that all voter registration applicants provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship. It specifies acceptable documents, such as a valid passport, military ID, or a birth certificate paired with other supporting evidence, and mandates that election officials verify this information during the registration process. The legislation also establishes penalties for officials who fail to perform these duties and creates a legal pathway for individuals to sue if they believe their citizenship verification rights were violated. Additionally, it updates the rules for removing voter registration records, allowing for cancellation only when an elector is confirmed to be non-citizen or has moved away.