HARRISBURG, June 17 – The Pennsylvania House on Wednesday passed H.B. 1944, which would protect individuals who help another person in the event of a drug or alcohol overdose, announced state Reps. Paul Friel and Emily Kinkead, who sponsored the bill. House Bill 1944 , which passed with broad bipartisan support , would protect people, such as college students, from endangerment charges if they are administering aid to a person suffering an emergency overdose. “Creating a culture of safety on campus means removing the threat of disciplinary action so students can step up and help one another without hesitation,” said Friel, D-Chester . “When we eliminate the fear of punishment, we break down the biggest barrier to calling for emergency help, which ultimately saves lives.” “In a life-or-death crisis, hesitation can be fatal. Fear of legal repercussions should never stand in the way of a person doing the right thing,” said Kinkead, D-Allegheny . “This legislation guarantees that anyone who steps forward to help someone experiencing an overdose or alcohol poisoning will be shielded from criminal liability. “By moving this legislation forward, we are ensuring that Pennsylvanians – especially our youth – can protect their peers during an emergency without risking their own futures.” The representatives heard during a March public hearing that this legislation Read more
Legislation boosting, improving Special Education Contingency Fund advances to Senate Read more
BRADDOCK, June 15 – New funding of $950,000 will ensure that area residents have access to critical housing services and supports, state Rep. Abigail Salisbury announced today. Salisbury, D-Allegheny, said the funding from the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency will support projects to help residents find affordable housing, stay in their homes or find safe housing in times of crisis. “A safe, secure place to call home isn’t a luxury – it’s an essential resource that provides stability for families, connects seniors to the communities they love and offers a safe haven for people in transition who are working to rebuild their lives,” Salisbury said. “The new funding will make sure more people in our district have the housing they need to thrive by funding repairs, safety and accessibility improvements, housing for people in crisis or transition and affordable rental housing for low-income families.” Salisbury said the following funding has been reserved: $200,000 to Samantha Dye for the POWER House residential treatment facility in Swissvale that provides safe housing for women in early recovery. $200,000 to the Wilkinsburg Community Development Corp. to bolster the organization’s Homeowner Assistance and Repair Program. $200,000 to Za’kiyah House to create three affordable units for people transitioning from the organization’s residential programs. Read more
HARRISBURG, June 11 – Saying that residents should never have to fear for their safety where they gather to worship, celebrate shared culture, or collaborate on community projects, state Rep. Abigail Salisbury is preparing to introduce legislation that would eliminate a funding match requirement that makes it difficult for smaller, lower-income organizations to secure funding. Salisbury said she drafted the legislation, which would remove the Nonprofit Security Grant Fund’s 33% funding match requirement for groups below a certain revenue threshold, to address a funding challenge that can be an insurmountable obstacle for smaller groups. “Small faith-based and other nonprofit groups are just as vulnerable as larger organizations to targeted threats of violence, but they often don’t have the resources to come up with the matching funds required for a security grant,” said Salisbury, who is co-chair of the bicameral, bipartisan Pennsylvania Charitable Nonprofit Caucus. “My legislation would remove the 33% match requirement for grants ranging from $25,000 to $75,000 if the nonprofit’s annual revenue is less than $250,000. It’s time to ensure that these smaller groups have the protection they need and deserve.” Salisbury cited the 2024 attempted shooting at Jesus’ Dwelling Place Church in North Braddock and the challenges the church has faced in the aftermath of that incident in attempting to raise Read more
Legislation cracking down on nonconsensual sharing of intimate images advances to Senate Read more
Legislation establishing penalties for CEOs of insurance companies responsible for harm Read more
HARRISBURG, June 3 – The Pennsylvania House today unanimously adopted Rep. Rob Matzie’s resolution ( H.R. 361 ) directing the state to study the financial costs and benefits of remaining part of the PJM Interconnection – the regional transmission organization that manages Pennsylvania’s electric grid. Matzie, who is chairman of the House Majority Caucus, said that a study is needed in light of recent spikes in electricity prices in some parts of the state, which have prompted concerns and calls for reform from lawmakers. “With calls for reform from House lawmakers and the governor, it’s time to take a closer look to ensure that staying with PJM is the best option,” Matzie said. “We hear every day from our constituents about the rising costs of energy. All options should be on the table, and all avenues should be explored. This study will give policy makers the facts and figures needed to make informed decisions moving forward.” Matzie said that the study – which will be conducted by the Joint State Government Commission – will examine the financial risks and benefits associated with PJM membership and evaluate the impact of PJM membership on residential, commercial and industrial electricity customers. The PJM Interconnection manages the electric transmission grid in all or part of 13 states and the District of Columbia. Read more
“By drawing on the experience and expertise of our established trappers, we can provide our youth with mentorships that offer hands-on training emphasizing responsible, lawful trapping techniques,” said state Rep. Anita Kulik, D-Allegheny. “Mentoring is key to recruiting and retaining younger participants and to continuing to build our trapping heritage as we look to the future.” Read more
“Today, the House came together to do something simple and compassionate: give people at the end of their life more choices about how they spend their final days,” state Rep. Dan Frankel said. “This bill is about easing suffering and preserving dignity for patients facing unimaginable circumstances.” Read more
Responding to calls from Gov. Josh Shapiro and educators across the state, the state House today passed a bill on a bipartisan vote to restrict cell phone use in Pennsylvania schools. Read more
PITTSBURGH, June 1 – State Rep. Lindsay Powell, D-Allegheny, will be hosting a family-friendly, block party style festival completely free to the community on Saturday, June 20. Powell’s Family Fair, which is now in its second year, will be held from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 20 at the intersection of 51st and Butler streets in Lawrenceville . “This event will bring our community together for some summer fun, while also providing access to critical services for kids and families,” said Powell. “Whether you need assistance with state and local resources, or want to enjoy the fun that summer brings, this will be the event for you and your family." The event will include access to dozens of state and local resources, appearances from beloved Pittsburgh mascots, a dunk tank and stands from several local organizations such as the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, You be You Music and the Undercliff Volunteer Fire Company. Read more
State grant supports Mid-Atlantic Mothers’ Milk Bank rehabilitation Read more
BRADDOCK, May 27 – With nonprofit organizations playing an increasingly critical role in keeping their communities thriving, state Rep. Abigail Salisbury announced today that the fourth annual Nonprofit Symposium will move to the Monroeville Convention Center this fall to accommodate the growing demand by groups seeking to strengthen their impact. Salisbury said the convention center’s 500-person capacity will double the space available for the day-long event. “Last year’s symposium drew 250 participants, which was an overflow crowd for the venue,” Salisbury said. “Having that many people come together to train and network about ways to improve their organization is a pretty amazing thing, and it helps increase the capacity of these organizations to deliver services to their community.” Salisbury said this year’s event, which is set for Oct. 15, will include dynamic training sessions on individual fundraising, social media marketing and legal compliance – with even more topics on the way. She is calling on the nonprofit community to help shape the agenda. “We want this event to reflect what organizations truly need right now,” Salisbury said. “If you have ideas for training areas you would like included, we want to hear from you. We’ll be expanding our schedule of events in the weeks ahead and will provide additional updates. In the meantime, I’m urging everyone Read more
Author of PBM overhaul legislation weighs in on new state insurance report Read more
AMBRIDGE, May 6 – Beaver County students will benefit from pre-apprenticeship opportunities in the HVAC field thanks to a $250,000 grant from the state Department of Labor and Industry, state Rep. Rob Matzie announced today. Matzie said the Schools-to-Work grant to Steamfitters Local Union No. 449 Joint Apprenticeship & Training Committee will fund the launch of an HVAC pre-apprenticeship program connecting students to in-demand jobs through hands-on training and industry partnerships. “It’s an excellent opportunity for students on the career path because new construction, the state’s cold winters and hot summers, and incentives to embrace new, energy-efficient technology are all driving demand for skilled HVAC technicians,” said Matzie, who is chairman of the House Majority Caucus. “Pre-apprenticeships are the perfect conduit because they supply the hands-on experience and connections with industry partners that can help students hit the ground running.” Matzie said the program will benefit students in Beaver and other western Pennsylvania counties. Schools-to-Work grant funding is awarded to employers, schools and community organizations to help create, launch and maintain registered pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship career pathways that bridge the gap between high school or college graduation and the job search process. More information about the program is Read more
New law will allow spouses of deceased firefighters to continue receiving benefits Read more
HARRISBURG, May 6 – State Rep. Abigail Salisbury said she will soon introduce legislation that would cut the red tape associated with reporting suspected fraud, waste or abuse of state dollars by creating a statewide whistleblower office and a 24/7 reporting hotline. Salisbury said a statewide office is needed because it can be daunting for citizens to navigate the multiple agencies that handle different types of fraud claims and funding categories. “Suspected misuse of state funds is an urgent matter requiring an urgent response, but the average citizen attempting to report these claims can face a bureaucratic maze, with no clear guidance on who to call,” Salisbury said. “We need to streamline the process by giving people a simple, easily accessible contact point. My bill would do that by creating a statewide whistleblower office with a dedicated hotline and electronic reporting system. “Having a more transparent and accessible method of reporting would make it easier for people to pick up the phone when they see or suspect something is wrong. It would also help the state crack down on these issues.” Salisbury said the statewide whistleblower office would be required to maintain a 24/7 hotline and an online reporting system, allowing residents to submit reports anonymously if they choose and to include documentation and evidence to support their claims. Salisbury is currently Read more
HARRISBURG, May 5 – The Pennsylvania House on Monday unanimously passed legislation introduced by state Rep. Abigail Salisbury that would improve the guardianship appointment process by expanding the list of individuals entitled to receive notice of the proceedings. Salisbury said she introduced H.B. 2106 in response to concerns that the current system is failing some of the most vulnerable Pennsylvanians. “When someone is unable to make key decisions about their own welfare and the court determines that a guardian is needed, the inquiry turns to finding the best person for the job,” Salisbury said. “Unfortunately, guardianship case documents are not public records in Pennsylvania, and hearings are not widely publicized. As a result, caring, competent individuals who might be the best choice never step forward because they were never made aware of the proceedings. “My bill would fix that by expanding the list of people who are entitled to receive notice of a guardianship petition and hearing. Doing so would bring greater transparency to the process and help ensure that all interested parties have a chance to advocate for and protect the best interests of a loved one who can no longer advocate for themselves.” Salisbury said the legislation was inspired by constituent Susan Colker, who raised concerns that a lack of adequate notice is leaving some of the most vulnerable people without the care and protection Read more
The House today approved a bill sponsored by state Rep. Mandy Steele, D-Allegheny, to standardize and improve school counseling services for students in all grades in Pennsylvania schools by ensuring that counselors aren’t pulled away from their needed counseling duties. Read more
HARRISBURG, April 29 – Pennsylvania has some of the oldest infrastructure in the country, and local governments are facing major difficulty and expenses in funding projects—especially for transportation purposes. This is why state Rep. Lindsay Powell has introduced legislation that would allow local governments to take part in public-private partnerships to improve transportation infrastructure. House Bill 2469 would allow all counties, as well as Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, to use public-private partnerships, also known as P3s, which authorize governments to coordinate with private entities for the engineering, construction, operation, financing and maintenance of a transportation project or facility. “From aging bridges and congested corridors to major transit and roadway upgrades, we have all seen transportation projects in our communities that need urgent support,” said Powell, D-Allegheny. “These projects can be daunting to take on, especially because taxpayers are footing the bill. My legislation would allow counties to partner with private groups to deliver large-scale infrastructure projects more efficiently and cost-effectively.” Current law allows only PennDOT and certain transportation agencies to use P3s. With this legislation, the current P3 process would remain unchanged. The American Society of Civil Engineers gave Pennsylvania’s infrastructure a grade of C- in 2022, Read more
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