Rep. Wendy Fink

Maddy summaryHB 1133 amends Pennsylvania's food protection laws to require a specific cancer warning on food products containing Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA). The bill mandates that any food bearing BHA (identified by CAS number 25013-16-5) must display the warning "WARNING: This product contains BHA, which may cause cancer" in bold type on the principal display panel, using a font size no smaller than the required "serving size" declaration. This directly affects food manufacturers and retailers selling products with BHA, requiring them to update labeling to comply with the new rule. The policy change focuses on enhancing consumer transparency about a specific ingredient's potential health risk through mandatory labeling.

Maddy summaryHB 1130 requires food manufacturers to report "Generally Recognized as Safe" (GRAS) substances used in food to Pennsylvania's Department of Agriculture, including safety data. This affects companies adding GRAS substances to food products, with exemptions for small businesses and certain FDA-approved substances. The bill mandates a searchable public database on the state website where all submitted reports will be accessible to consumers. It creates new transparency requirements for substances deemed safe without full FDA food additive approval, aligning with federal GRAS reporting standards.

Maddy summaryHB 1258 creates a new "Personalized Education Program" (PEP) option under Pennsylvania's Public School Code, allowing parents or guardians to educate children outside traditional public schools. It requires parents to submit an annual affidavit to the school district superintendent detailing the program supervisor, child's information, curriculum outline (including required subjects like English and history), immunization records, and background checks for household members. The program must provide at least 180 days or 900 hours of annual instruction for elementary students (990 hours for secondary), with specific subject requirements. PEPs are explicitly excluded from being classified as "nonpublic schools" under the code, and relocation between school districts requires a formal transfer letter process. This directly affects parents, guardians, and program supervisors managing education for children in these alternatives to public schools.

Maddy summaryHB 1265 revises Pennsylvania's teacher certification rules under the Public School Code, effective after December 31, 2027. It establishes four new certificate types with defined grade spans: Early Childhood (pre-K to grade 3), Elementary/Middle (K-8 with subject limits in upper grades), Middle/Secondary (grades 6-12), and Specialized Areas (pre-K to grade 12). Existing certificates remain valid, and current teacher preparation program students enrolled before December 31, 2025, may complete under prior rules. The bill directly affects public school teachers, certification programs, and the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

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 1206 would add a new section to Pennsylvania's Public School Code allowing public schools (including districts, charter schools, and cyber charters) to employ or approve volunteer "certified school chaplains." These chaplains must be certified by organizations like the National School Chaplain Association and pass background checks required for school staff/volunteers, but do not need state certification. School boards must vote within six months of the law's effective date to decide whether to permit chaplains in their schools. The bill directly affects Pennsylvania public schools and their students/employees who may interact with chaplains, creating a framework for optional chaplain services.

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 1158 designates Election Day (the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November) as a legal holiday in Pennsylvania, meaning state offices and many businesses would close. It also requires county election boards to prioritize using public buildings like schools and municipal offices for polling places whenever possible, rather than private locations. If public buildings aren't available, the bill allows for portable polling places or selecting adjacent public buildings that are directly accessible. This bill directly affects all Pennsylvania voters and election officials managing polling locations.

Maddy summaryHB 1162 amends Pennsylvania's Election Code to clarify election procedures, primarily affecting county election boards, election officials, and voters. The bill specifically changes when provisional ballots can be counted (they cannot be counted if an absentee or mail-in ballot was received), updates definitions of "canvass" and "pre-canvass," and sets requirements for election materials handling. It also clarifies that county boards must ensure election materials are delivered on time or face penalties for judges of elections who fail to comply. These procedural changes aim to standardize election administration and prevent duplicate voting across in-person, absentee, and mail-in voting methods. The bill focuses on technical adjustments to election processes rather than substantive policy changes.

Maddy summaryHB 1160 requires Pennsylvania county election boards to conduct post-election verification of electronic voting systems. Specifically, it mandates a random statistical sample recount of at least 2% of votes cast (or 2,000 votes, whichever is smaller) using different devices than those used in the election. Additionally, county boards must randomly select three precincts per election for a full hand count of all ballots. These requirements apply to all general, primary, and municipal elections in Pennsylvania.