How I Voted

Information about legislation in the 2023-24 legislative session

Rep. Danielle Friel Otten    December 1, 2023 | 2:19 PM

How I Voted

As your elected representative in Harrisburg, I feel it is important to share information about the bills that come before the House, how I’ve voted on those bills, and why I voted the way I did.

On this page, you’ll find a recap of my voting record for the legislative session, with brief descriptions of each bill and brief explanations for my votes. This page does not include “bridge-namer” bills or summaries of other uncontested votes (including some bills that pass the House unanimously), although you can always find my votes on those here.

While state legislators’ votes are always public record, the reasons behind those votes are not always clear. My goal on this page is to help inform constituents about the bills that come before the House and create more transparency around the legislative process. We strive to update this page as quickly as we can following the end of each session week.

To find the current status of a bill, click on the bill number, then click “History” on the bill information page. You can find scheduled session dates and more information here. If you have questions or would like more information on the bills below or any other legislative issue, please contact my office at repotten@pahouse.net.

7/11/2024

SB 1001 (Martin) – General Appropriations Act (2024-25 State Budget)

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 122-80)

On Thursday, July 11, the House approved the Pennsylvania state budget for the 2024-2025 fiscal year. Gov. Shapiro signed the bill into law the same night as Act 1A of 2024.  

I voted in support of this budget, which makes significant investments in public education, affordable housing and healthcare, human services, our workforce, communities, and the future of Pennsylvania – all without raising taxes.  

This budget is not perfect. It falls short on some of the priorities important to me and our community, but there is also a lot to like. The reality is that we have a Democratic-controlled House and a Republican-controlled Senate, and this budget reflects the compromise that was required for both sides to reach agreement. I believe that on balance, this budget contains more good than bad and will bring relief and growth to our families and communities.

My full comments on this year’s budget can be read here.

HB 613 (Harris) – Funding for State-Related Universities

How I voted: Yes (House concurred in Senate Amendments 145-57)

House Bill 613 is the funding bill for Pennsylvania’s state-related universities. This includes Penn State, Pitt, Temple, Lincoln University, and UPenn Veterinary School. As a non-preferred appropriation, this funding requires support from two-thirds of the House chamber, not a simple majority.

I voted Yes on this bill to ensure that we continue to investment in higher education opportunities for students who will be the future our Commonwealth. Governor Shapiro signed this bill into law as Act 11A of 2024.

SB 831 (Yaw) – Carbon Dioxide Geologic Sequestration Primacy Act

How I voted: No (Bill passed the House 127-75)

Before the vote on Senate Bill 831, I spoke on the House floor in opposition to the bill. The stated purpose of this bill is to establish a legal and regulatory framework for potential carbon dioxide capture, utilization, and sequestration (“carbon capture,” or CCUS).

Carbon capture is an expensive, unproven technology that has shown no real evidence of reducing the negative environmental or public health impacts of the fossil fuel industry and conversely has the potential to do more harm.

This legislation declares CCUS to be “in the public interests,” which allows for the corporate use of eminent domain to infringe upon the rights of private property owners. Under this bill, a private corporation could utilize your land for carbon sequestration, without your consent, if they can get 75% of your neighbors to agree. They could then carry out an experimental industrial practice with a history of causing earthquakes and asphyxiation on your land, injecting carbon dioxide -- the polluting byproduct of their fracked gas production -- into the ground below your property.

This bill also would weaken property owners’ ability to seek recourse against corporations for damages they cause to private property by limiting corporate accountability and liability for any negative consequences. In doing so, the bill socializes all the risks and costs of these operations, which would fall to the property owner or to the taxpayers of Pennsylvania collectively, as the language transfers liability to the state after 50 years “or an otherwise agreed to period of time.”

Governor Shapiro signed this bill into law as Act 87 of 2024. My full comments explaining my No vote on SB 831 can be read here.

7/10/2024

SB 656 (Rothman) – Elimination of Alternative Fuel Tax on Electric Vehicles

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 190-12)

Electric vehicle (EV) owners in Pennsylvania have been required to undergo the cumbersome process of filing monthly statements with the state Department of Revenue to pay an alternative fuel tax that corresponds to the electrical usage of their EV. For a variety of reasons, EV owners complete this requirement rather inconsistently, depriving the Commonwealth of funds used for important infrastructure investments.

Senator Rothman’s bill eliminates the alternative fuel tax and replaces it with an annual flat fee to be paid by EV owners. This change with simplify the procedural burden cast upon EV owners and ensure they are paying their fair share towards Pennsylvania’s transportation infrastructure. The EV annual fee will be deposited into the Motor License Fund, just as fuel taxes are for owners of gas-powered vehicles.

I voted Yes on this bill because it incentivizes EV ownership by simplifying the procedural processes of owning an EV, and secures important revenues used by the state to investment in transportation infrastructure. Governor Shapiro signed this bill into law as Act 85 of 2024.

HB 1617 (Briggs) – Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network Support

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 117-85)

The Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network (PLAN) is an organization which provides leadership, funding, and support to a network of nonprofit legal aid organizations throughout the Commonwealth. These programs work tirelessly to protect and advance the civil legal rights of Pennsylvanians living in poverty through the provision of free civil legal services.

It is estimated that Rep. Briggs’ bill would contribute an additional $1.6 million to PLAN, while having no impact on Pennsylvania funds. The funding would come from an additional $2 collected on summary traffic citations to be deposited into an account to fund civil legal aid.

In Chester County, Legal Aid of Southeastern PA (LASP) is one of the partner programs that comprises PLAN. LASP has been vital in assisting some of our district’s most vulnerable constituents with issues involving housing, domestic violence, and public benefits, among many others. I co-sponsored and voted Yes on this bill. It has now been referred to the state Senate for further consideration.

7/8/2024

HB 1425 (Parker) – Ensuring Healthy Families – Expanding Maternal Home Visiting

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 144-57)

We have no greater responsibility as legislators than to ensure the health and wellbeing of Pennsylvania’s families. Study after study shows that our new and expanding families are more in need of connection and resources than ever.

House Bill 1425 directs the Department of Human Services to establish a five-year plan to provide evidence-based maternal home visiting programs to eligible families. These programs would help reduce negative health outcomes, prevent abuse and provide parenting classes.

I voted Yes on this bill because it is important we invest in and provide resources to the future of our Commonwealth. It will now go to our state Senate for further consideration.

7/3/2024

HB 1685 (Brennan) – Requiring AEDs at School Athletic Events

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 157-45)

Public awareness of sudden cardiac events has increased in recent years as cases involving athletes – including Pennsylvania native and Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin – have drawn attention to these seemingly random medical emergencies. Tragically, sudden cardiac events are often fatal, but the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED), when combined with CPR, increases the chances of survival by nearly 50 percent.

Rep. Brennan’s bill will increase the availability of AEDs, by requiring public schools to have at least one AED in each school building and available to each athletic activity, and to have at least one individual who is trained and certified in the use of an AED and CPR in the building during each school day. The purchase of these AEDs by schools would be considered an eligible school safety expense.

Here in the 155th, I have been so fortunate to meet with Aidan’s Heart Foundation students to talk about AEDs in schools and on sports fields. The organization was formed shortly after the unexpected death of Aidan Joseph Silva in the fall of 2010 to protect young hearts from Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA). After meeting with these students and the organization’s founder, Christy Marshall Silva, who is Aidan’s mother and my constituent, I heartfully joined my Chester County colleague Rep. Christina Sappey, in introducing HB 1203, which is very similar to Rep. Brennan’s bill. This was a very easy Yes vote for me. The bill is now in our state Senate.

HB 2162 (Powell) – Increasing Housing Protections for Victims of Violence

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 141-61)

After a violent crime, victims and their loved ones often need to relocate to get to safety and recover from trauma. Staying in the home may increase the risk of developing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and expose victims to further violence. Under current Pennsylvania statute, victims have up to 90 days to request relocation assistance from the state.

House Bill 2162 would increase that 90-day timeframe, granting victims up to 180 days to request relocation assistance.  It is important to note that eligibility for relocation extends only to tenants of a public housing authority property.

The Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence says one in three women, one in four men and nearly half of LGBTQ+ individuals will experience domestic violence in their lifetime. I voted Yes on this bill because we need to ensure that Pennsylvania’s most vulnerable low-income survivors receive the support they need following a violent crime.

HB 2162 now goes over to our state Senate for further consideration.

HB 829 (Gergely) – Flexibility for Licensee Hiring

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House unanimously, 202-0)

This bill includes updates to the liquor code, and was amended to incorporate my proposal to regulate the placement of “crossover products,” which are alcoholic drinks that closely resemble the traditional, non-alcoholic versions of a brand’s juice or soda beverages. The bill requires retailers to post clear signage indicating that the product is an alcoholic beverage, helping to ensure that consumers don’t inadvertently purchase alcoholic drinks. 

The underlying bill also provides for flexibility in hiring, makes COVID-era allowances for outdoor seating for bars and restaurants permanent, and gives us more happy hours in the Commonwealth, allowing establishments to offer happy hour discounts up to 24 hours per week, instead of just 14.   

Governor Shapiro signed this bill into law on July 15 as Act 57 of 2024.

7/2/2024

SB 688 (Regan) – Ready-to-Drink Beverages

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 163-38)

High Noon, Stateside, and Topo Chico are among the most well-known ready-to-drink cocktail brands available today. While these canned cocktails are available to buy in Pennsylvania, they can only be purchased at our state stores. This is significantly burdening consumer choice in a time when these drinks continue to grow in popularity.

Senator Regan’s bill changes the way ready-to-drink cocktails can be sold, allowing restaurants, grocery stores, convenience stores, and gas stations to sell these drinks, to-go, until 11 PM. The aforementioned sellers will need to apply for a permit to be licensed vendors of the drinks.

As a lawmaker in Harrisburg, it is important to me that we are allowing for consumer choice. This bill accomplishes exactly that, by increasing the accessibility of ready-to-drink cocktails. I voted Yes on the bill and Gov. Shapiro signed it into law as Act 86 of 2024 on July 17, 2024.

HB 2269 (Kenyatta) – Marriage Equality

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 133-68)

On June 26, 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges affirmed that marriage, and all its privileges and responsibilities, should be available to all. While numerous states had already recognized the right of same-sex couples to marry, many states, including our own, still retain outdated, unconstitutional, and unnecessary sections of law that prohibit marriage equality. With its overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022, the current Supreme Court signaled that additional established rights, including marriage equality, could be next on the chopping block.  

House Bill 2269 updates Pennsylvania’s outdated marriage laws by repealing the section of law that recognizes marriage only as being between a man and woman. Marriage equality has been enshrined as a right by both our state and federal governments, and this obsolete section of law no longer represents the modern definition or view of marriage. 

This legislation removes unconstitutional language from our domestic relations code, aligns our law with settled court decisions about marriage equality, and protects our fellow Pennsylvanians who are — or one day hope to be — in loving, same-sex marriages.  

The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration.

HB 2064 (Hogan) – Protecting Older Adults Against Financial Exploitation

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 152-49)

Financial exploitation is one of the most prevalent forms of elder abuse nationwide. This legislation would give financial institutions and fiduciaries additional tools and expanded authority to detect, prevent, and report suspected exploitation, including the ability to share information between financial institutions and with state investigators, law enforcement, and area agencies on aging.  

In Harrisburg, I will continue to prioritize and advocate on behalf of the senior residents in our community. Financial exploiters have the ability, now more than ever, to launch hard-to-identify schemes, and as such I voted Yes on Rep. Hogan’s bill to safeguard seniors from these schemes. The bill now heads to the state Senate for further consideration. 

7/1/2024

HB 2175 (Sappy) – Creating a Permanent Office of Child Advocate

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 111-91)

In 2019, the Office of Child Advocate (OCA) was created through an executive order by Gov. Tom Wolf to address concerns related to complaints of abuse of children in congregate care facilities. Since then, the OCA has played a critical role in protecting our children from abuse and exploitation as well as ensuring the children of Pennsylvania have a voice. Due to its creation through an executive order, this office is in peril of being dissolved by a future administration. 

HB 2175 would create a permanent Office of Child Advocate in Pennsylvania to better protect the children of Pennsylvania. If this legislation passes the Senate and is signed by the governor, Pennsylvania will join 34 other states who have created permanent OCAs. 

My staff and I watched this bill closely, as our Chester County community was impacted by the tragic passing of Malinda Hoagland. I was proud to co-sponsor and vote in support of the bill. It now heads to the Senate for consideration. 

HB 2180 (Kinkead) – School Meal Debt Elimination

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 118-84)

Across the commonwealth, nearly half a million children are living with food insecurity, equating to one in six children. Collectively, these children owe approximately $80 million in school meal debt. Through no fault of their own, children in this commonwealth are forced to go hungry and are shamed for not being able to afford a school meal. This not only affects a student’s ability to learn but has implications for their mental health as well.  

HB 2180 would establish a School Meal Debt Fund within the state Department of Education, providing $80 million to assist public schools in discharging school meal debt held by students in the Commonwealth beginning in the 2024-25 school year. Additionally, it would prohibit schools from taking punitive actions like suspension or detention against students for eating meals they cannot afford. It further would prohibit threatening families with collections, lawsuits or reports to children and youth services for school lunch debt. 

I voted Yes on the bill because by eliminating school lunch debt, we can allow every child to have consistent access to at least two nutritious meals a day, as we established Universal Free Breakfast for school children as part of the 2023-24 budget. Rep. Kinkead’s bill will now be considered by the Senate.

HB 2420 (Burgos) – Keystone Fresh Act

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 145-57)

Schools across Pennsylvania serve more than 157 million lunches per year, providing critical nutrients to children across the state and making them one of the largest potential markets for agricultural producers in Pennsylvania. Yet despite having a child nutrition budget of more than $729 million per year, schools self-report that they spend less than 2% of those funds on Pennsylvania-grown foods. 

HB 2420 would establish the Keystone Fresh Program, which would include three grant programs to provide opportunities for school districts, farms, food hubs, and local food aggregators to incorporate locally grown fresh foods into Pennsylvania schools. Additionally, this bill would provide family farmers in the state with more stable economic prospects and ensure that schools have access to fresh, locally sourced foods.

Not only would this ensure our students have access to the nutrition they require to thrive, but it would help foster economic growth, improve public health outcomes, and nurture stronger communities.  

HB 2433 (Webster) – Stopping Foreign Interference in Elections

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 126-76)

Under current law, foreign citizens and groups are prohibited from spending on elections in the United State, yet we continue to allow domestic corporations to spend money on elections even if they are partially or fully owned by foreign individuals or entities.

This loophole in our laws has allowed foreign entities and “dark money” groups to influence our elections. The only thing that should be influencing the outcome of elections in Pennsylvania are the votes of Pennsylvanians, not a foreign-influenced corporation. 

HB 2433 would prohibit corporations that are substantially foreign owned from making expenditures and contributions in support of the success or defeat of a candidate or ballot question. By addressing deficiencies in election finance laws, we can boost voter confidence and protect our electoral process. 

The right to vote is sacred and vital to the foundation that is America. I voted Yes and co-sponsored this bill to protect the integrity of our democratic process.

6/28/2024

HB 126 (Bizzarro) – First Time Homebuyers Savings Account

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 192-10)

Since the 2009 financial crisis, the number of first-time homebuyers has decreased significantly, with only 32% of new home sales across the country going to first-time buyers. Right here in Chester County we have seen firsthand the effects that high housing prices and mortgage interest rates have had on prospective buyers, especially first-time homebuyers. 

HB 126 would allow first-time homebuyers to deposit money into a savings account held in the state Treasury, for the exclusive purpose of purchasing a first home. The money could be deducted from their state income tax while also allowing family or friends to contribute, and ultimately used toward the down payment and closing costs for the purchase of a single-family home in Pennsylvania. 

The current home-buying process is difficult, competitive, and expensive. I voted Yes on this bill to alleviate financial barriers and first-time buyers and help them secure a home for their families.

HR 483 (O’Mara) – Recognizing July 25, 2024, as “World IVF Day” in Pennsylvania

How I voted: Yes (Resolution adopted by the House 199-3)

Since 1978, in vitro fertilization (IVF) has provided an avenue for those struggling with infertility issues to start a family, with millions of people across the world being able to experience the joys of parenthood due to the advancements in the field of fertility medicine.

 

HR 843 recognizes the positive impact that IVF and embryologists have had for those experiencing infertility and recognize July 25, 2024, as “World IVF Day” in Pennsylvania. The date marks the 46th anniversary of the first baby conceived through the IVF process. I was proud to vote Yes and adopt this resolution.

6/27/2024

HB 2185 (Fleming) – Types 1 Diabetes Education Parental Notification

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 182-20)

The signs of Type-1 Diabetes (T1D) in children can be difficult to spot, and when they go unnoticed or undiagnosed for long periods of time, it can result in serious and even fatal health complications. On Thursday, Rep. Fleming shared his own family’s experience leading up to his daughter’s diagnosis with T1D, which motivated him to introduce this legislation.  

Rep. Fleming’s bill seeks to increase awareness of the symptoms of T1D, by directing the Department of Education to develop and distribute a fact sheet to parents and guardians of students educating them about the warning signs of Type-1 Diabetes. 

Creating awareness is key to mitigating any disease. As such, I was proud to co-sponsor and vote Yes on Rep. Fleming’s bill. It now heads to the Senate for further consideration. 

HB 2400 (Madden) – Alzheimer’s and Dementia Infrastructure

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 168-34)

By 2025, it is estimated the number of Pennsylvanians living with Alzheimer’s will number well over 300,000, and the Medicaid costs to care for those folks is expected rise 10 percent.  Knowing that Alzheimer’s diagnoses and the associated costs are on the rise, it is time for Pennsylvania to take some agency in addressing the disease.

Rep. Madden’s bill would create a permanent Alzheimer’s, Dementia, and Related Disorders (ADRD) Office and an accompanying Advisory Committee in the Department of Aging. The ADRD Office will be charged with coordinating and collaborating across state agencies to better respond to the needs of those living with dementia disorders and the systems that support them.

This bill received strong bipartisan support in the House. While the standalone bill did not receive further consideration in the Senate, its language was included in the 2024-25 Fiscal Code. The Fiscal Code was signed into law by Gov. Shapiro as Act 54 of 2024 on July 11^th, 2024.

HB 2407 (Solomon) – Reauthorizing and Expanding the Fire Company and EMS Grant Programs

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 102-100)

Our local fire companies and EMS are vital to the health and safety of our communities and support is needed now more than ever. Fire companies and EMS are struggling financially, dealing with rising costs, declining volunteer coverage, and low insurance reimbursements that can contribute to delayed response times and the closure of companies across our Commonwealth.

This bill reauthorizes the Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant Program through 2029 and creates new grant programs to better equip fire companies and EMS to respond to the needs of their residents.

We are fortunate to have great fire companies and EMS in our district, such as the Lionville Fire Company and East Brandywine Fire Company, among others. My staff and I have met with and heard the needs of our fire companies and EMS, making this an easy Yes vote.

Rep. Solomon’s bill will now go over to our state Senate.

6/25/2024

HB 1140 (Krueger) – Expanding Access to Contraceptives

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 133-69)

Control over one’s own reproductive healthcare is central to the freedom, liberty, health, and economic opportunity of every woman, girl, and birthing individual. That is why it is critical that we provide protections in our state laws to allow access to safe, FDA-proven contraceptives to go uninterrupted. 

At least 2.5 million women in Pennsylvania currently depend on insurance coverage funded by their employers for access to affordable, effective contraceptives. Rep. Krueger’s bill would require all health insurance policies in Pennsylvania to provide coverage for all FDA- approved contraceptive drugs, devices, products, and services, including emergency contraception and over-the-counter oral contraception without cost-sharing (co-pays). 

The bill passed with solid bipartisan support and now goes to the Senate for consideration. 

HB 2338 (Fiedler) – Accelerating Pennsylvania’s Energy Production

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 107-95)

With the money from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) now streaming into states nationwide, Pennsylvania has an incredible opportunity to accelerate energy production and create family-sustaining jobs.

Pennsylvania already has a public financing authority – the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority (PEDA) – that is tasked with financing clean, advanced energy projects in the state. Created in 1982, PEDA needs to be modernized to effectively utilize the billions of dollars available through the IRA and IIJA.

I voted Yes on House Bill 2238 because it makes a few vital changes to the PEDA administrative code that ensures PEDA has the resources necessary to seize federal dollars and attract private investment, allowing our Commonwealth to accelerate energy production and create those family-sustaining jobs.  

 6/24/2024

HB1509 (N. Nelson) – Empowering Counties to Expand Boards of Inspectors for Jails and Prisons

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 103-99)

With nearly half of Pennsylvania’s 70,000 incarcerated residents in county jails, it is important we give counties the required flexibility to expand prison transparency and accountability. House Bill 1509 provides this flexibility, by granting the oversight needed for county jails to operate as the highest standard.

The bill allows boards of inspectors for county jails and prisons the option to include 2-4 members of the public on their board. This new form of oversight could create space for reform that would benefit the communities these facilities are located in.

Incarcerated persons and their families to still retain the right to proper jail governance while incarcerated. HB 1509 offers the provisions needed to ensure proper jail governance in maintained at the county level. The bill is now under further consideration in the Senate.  

6/12/2024

HB 1783 (Venkat) – Creating Opioid Overdose Awareness Materials

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 187-14)

Since 1999, more than 1 million people in the United States have died from a drug overdose, with synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl, driving the latest wave of deaths. Fortunately, medications such as naloxone can quickly reverse opioid overdoses – if those nearby know what to do and how to help. With increased awareness of the signs of an opioid overdose and how to access naloxone, we can help save lives. 

HB 1783 would require the Department of Health to work with the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs to create a poster, to be displayed in public and private settings, to provide information about the signs of an opioid-related overdose, what to do in the event of an overdose, where to find naloxone, and where to find additional resources and information. 

This bill now moves to the Senate for consideration. 

HB 2166 (Hanbidge) – Reduced Coroner’s Fees for Next of Kin
How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 102-99)
The fees for autopsy reports, toxicology reports, and coroner’s reports present a financial hurdle for many Pennsylvanians seeking answers about the death of a closed loved one, especially during a time when they are grieving. The current costs are $500 for an autopsy report, $100 for a toxicology report, and $100 for a coroner’s report. This bill would reduce those fees for the next-of-kin of the deceased, allowing coroners to charge no more than $100 for an autopsy report, $50 for a toxicology report, and $50 for a coroner’s report.

6/10/2024

HB 2370 (Sturla) – A Thorough and Efficient System of Public Education

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 107-94)

The House passed historic legislation that fundamentally reimagines how we fund our public schools.

This plan puts students first, delivers true equity and equality along with funding stability and predictability, and takes long-overdue steps toward fulfilling our constitutional mandate to provide “a thorough and efficient system of public education to serve the needs of the Commonwealth.” 

This proposal would benefit every school district in Pennsylvania. It would be transformative for the Coatesville Area School District and other underfunded districts where the state has chronically failed to contribute its fair share. It would include increases for the Downingtown Area School District and ensure that students in well-resourced, high-performing districts continue to receive the support they need -- while giving students in every district across the commonwealth the same chance to succeed. It would help to alleviate the burden on local homeowners and property tax payers and put us on a path toward a future where EVERY student in Pennsylvania, regardless of ZIP code, family income, or community wealth, has access to great public schools and a quality public education. 

While this was indeed an historic vote, this is not the end of the fight. The Commonwealth Court, the bipartisan Basic Education Funding Commission, and the families, advocates, coalitions, and school communities that have fought for decades for full and fair school funding have done the work. The PA House has passed this legislation on a bipartisan vote, demonstrating our commitment to finally closing the education funding gap in Pennsylvania – the largest school funding equity gap in the nation.  

Now it’s time for our colleagues in the Senate to finish the job, pass HB 2370, and fund our public schools. 

HB 2127 (Hanbidge) – Postpartum Depression Screening and Care

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 201-0)

The NIH estimates that around one in seven women who give birth will develop postpartum depression, which can affect both their own mental health and their ability to care for their new baby and other family members. Due to insufficient screening and care, generations of women have been overlooked and stigmatized. 

HB 2127 would require all prenatal and postnatal clinicians to distribute information relating to postpartum depression to the mother and her family with the goal of increasing awareness of the signs and symptoms of postpartum depression and how to seek treatment. Additionally, it would direct medical professionals to conduct a postpartum screening for depression upon delivery and at the first few postnatal check-up visits. 

This bill now moves to the Senate for consideration. 

HB 1754 (Mullins and Cutler) – Precision Medicine: “Biomarker” Testing

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 200-1)

According to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, a biomarker (short for biological marker) is an objective measure that captures what is happening in a cell or an organism at a given moment. Biomarker testing can show the unique pattern of biomarkers in an individual’s cancer and help to identify what types of treatment would be most effective for that patient so that no time is wasted. However, insurance coverage and the cost of biomarker testing varies depending on the insurance plan, the type of test, and the type of cancer. This means that this important tool in fighting cancer may be out of reach for some individuals due to cost. 

HB 1754 would ensure that patients can obtain the most effective and efficient treatment while reducing costs by avoiding unnecessary or inefficient treatments and allowing medical professionals to focus on care that works.

Following consideration and passage in the Senate, Governor Shapiro signed HB 1754 into law as Act 39 of 2024.

6/5/2024

HB 2137 (Mayes) – Establishing the Maternal and Newborn Supply Kit Program

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 123-79)

As a mother of two, I absolutely understand the financial and emotional stress that accompanies bringing a child into the world. While some new mothers have access to plenty of resources, this is not the reality for everyone. This is a transformative time for families and the Maternal and Newborn Supply Kit Program would help to ensure it is a time of joy and celebration, not stress or uncertainty.

HB 2234 (Kim) – Better, Less Expensive Health Insurance

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 106-96)

Since its creation in 2019, Pennie has been a great success. This past enrollment period, Pennie helped 435,000 Pennsylvanians get health insurance. It has become an essential resource to those individuals who fall outside of work-related coverage options.

Despite the progress that has been made, more than two-thirds of uninsured people who applied for, but did not purchase, Pennie coverage said it was too expensive. HB 2234 creates an affordability program that would provide additional subsidies for Pennsylvanians to purchase health insurance. By creating this a program, we can assist hundreds-of-thousands of families pay their premiums.

The number of uninsured Pennsylvanians is currently growing, and this pilot will get more Pennsylvanians covered and help make plans more affordable for Pennsylvanians who purchase their own insurance. The bill now heads to the Senate for further consideration.

6/4/2024

HB 851 (Parker) – Accessibility to Menstrual Hygiene Products

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 117-85)

Period poverty, or the inability to afford and access necessary menstrual products, is real, and it’s affecting people throughout Pennsylvania. Across our commonwealth, one in four women and girls struggle to afford period products, directly impacting their ability to fully participate in school, the workplace, and society. 

HB 851 would establish a grant program for eligible public schools to acquire and distribute menstrual hygiene products at no expense to students. By providing these products to students at no-cost, we can ensure dignity and equity for half our population so that they can fully participate in school.

I was proud to join every House Democrat in voting Yes on the bill. It now moves to the Senate for consideration. 

HB 1367 (Daley) – Mental Health Training for High School Coaches

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 102-100)

Properly supporting our students’ mental health needs requires ensuring that the students, parents and guardians, athletic coaches, and extracurricular advisers are all aware of the mental health services within a school and local community.

Rep. Daley’s bill, of which I joined on as a co-sponsor, would provide for increased student mental health awareness through a variety of provisions, including directing the PDE and DOH to revise the health standards to address mental health awareness, while also identifying a model curriculum on mental health awareness. In addition to these updates, the bill also requires the PIAA to include mental health awareness in its training curriculum for high school coaches.

During the last two session periods, I have seen a concerted effort to address the mental health of our student populations. I’m proud to have co-sponsored this bill and our continuing work to decrease the youth mental health crisis. The bill will now go over to the Senate.  

6/3/2024

SB 1018 (Kearney) – Protecting Child Victims and Witnesses in Agency Administrative Proceedings

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 133-69)

In civil and criminal proceedings, there are certain protections in place for child victims and witnesses: the court may assign child advocates and allow for the alternative recording of testimony on behalf of the child victim or witness. Due to a serious oversight, these protections have not been extended to children during administrative proceedings before the Department of Human Services.

This bill will rectify this oversight, by amending state law allow for these protections in administrative proceedings before the Department of Human Services. With the passage of this bill a parent, guardian, attorney, or other person acting on behalf of the child would be able to petition the department to provide a child advocate and consider alternative recording of testimony that ensure that the abuser will not be able to address the child victim directly during proceedings.

Children should not be forced to come face-face with their abuser and be subjected to cross examination. Governor Shapiro signed the bill into law as Act 23 of 2024.  

5/22/2024

HB 1958 (Hanbidge) – Incentivizing Employer Contributions to Employee Childcare

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 155-47)

Affordable and accessible childcare is critical to maintaining a strong workforce. Additionally, rising costs can make it difficult for parents to find safe, quality childcare that can help them to focus on the day-to-day of their careers. That is why we are working to create an employer-employee relationship where families are able to afford reliable childcare and employers can retain high-quality employees in a competitive workforce.

House Bill 1958 would assist families by providing a tax credit for employers that subsidizes their workers’ childcare costs, helping those working parents to cover a major expense and stay on the job. This assistance must be equally available to all employees of the employer and the contributions will not count as taxable income for the workers who are helped.

I am proud to be a co-sponsor of this bill and build upon the work we’ve already done to help working-class Pennsylvania families. The passage of this bill follows the expansion of Pennsylvania’s childcare tax credit, which was signed into law this past December. House Bill 1958 will now receive further consideration in the Senate.

HB 1743 (Madden) – School Board Training

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 103-99)

House Bill 1743 would enhance and make more efficient the training curriculum for newly elected or appointed schools board members.

Currently, the PA Department of Education is solely responsible for delivering this training to school board officials. This bill changes this process, by allowing for an established statewide group that represents school boards to deliver the training, at no cost to the school district.

Importantly, training offered to school board members would still be reviewed and approved by PDE for compliance with existing laws and regulations. New school board members will be offered at least five hours of training with an additional three hours each time they are re-elected to the board.

5/21/2024

HB 2138 (Steele) – Expanding Maternal Blood Pressure Monitoring Coverage

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 154-48)

Hypertension (high blood pressure) can be a serious health hazard during pregnancy, delivery, and the postpartum year. Hypertension and related disorders are a leading cause of maternal, neonatal, and fetal health complications. Early identification of hypertension and subsequent intervention is critical to the health of the mother and child.

House Bill 2138 would allow for early identification and intervention by requiring all private health insurance to cover medically necessary home blood pressure monitors as a pregnancy-related service. Remote blood pressure monitoring is a reliable, effective strategy in getting control of the mother’s blood pressure and avoiding costly and preventable complications.

While I can personally recount the excitement that comes with becoming a mother, it is a frightening and tumultuous time period with the possibility of medical complications. That is why we’re working to make sure at-risk mothers will have the necessary home blood pressure monitors needed to save lives and reduce the stress and anxiety that accompanies caring for a newborn.

I was proud to co-sponsor this bill and encouraged by the progress we continue to make on maternal morbidity and mortality. The bill will now receive further consideration in the Senate. 

HB 2208 (Frankel) – Improving Lab Oversight

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 196-6)

Medical marijuana patients should have full confidence that the products they are prescribed are safe, effective, and free of contaminants. As a member of the House Health Committee, my colleagues and I heard testimony about the need for lab oversight, as well as accounts of products inspected in other states that were found to contain dangerous substances or significantly inflated THC concentrations.

This bill, introduced by Rep. Dan Frankel, chair of the Health Committee, enhances state oversight of the independent laboratories that test medical cannabis before it is sold to patients for approved medical uses. It provides for improved compliance testing, product audits, statistical analyses, transparency, and inspections of labs.

By directing the Department of Health to ensure labs report accurate results, the bill would allow for patients to be confident the product they use is correctly represented and does not contain dangerous chemicals.

The conversation on marijuana is continuing to evolve in Pennsylvania and as a member of the Subcommittee on Healthcare, I have been fortunate to hear from industry experts, stakeholders, and Pennsylvania residents on the future of marijuana use in Pennsylvania. I co-sponsored this bill because I agree with Rep. Frankel that it will improve the safety measures around our current medical marijuana system.

SB 721 (Schwank) – Establishing the Women, Infants, and Children State Advisory Board (WICSAB)

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 119-83)

The Pennsylvania Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) has played a critical role in enhancing the health and nutrition of Pennsylvania families since its creation in 1974. Unfortunately, there has been a steady decline in WIC participation in recent years. This is a program that is completely funded by the federal government. It does not cost the Commonwealth a dime and we want to make sure Pennsylvania families are taking full advantage of all that WIC offers.

The WICSAB will be tasked with exploring options to boost Pennsylvania WIC enrollment. The proposed advisory board will include representatives from regional WIC agencies, agency partners, advocates, grocers, health care providers and other relevant stakeholders.

On June 10, 2024, Governor Shapiro signed the bill into law as Act 22 of 2024.

5/8/2024

HB 2017 (Munroe) – Protecting the Health of Young Users on Social Media Platforms

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 105-95)

Social media has become ingrained in our everyday lives and now more than ever, young individuals are using an array of platforms to stay connected with friends and family. Unfortunately, these social media platforms were not originally designed with the mental health of our youth as a top priority. As legislators we need to ensure protections are in place for young Pennsylvanians using social media.

A Yale University study proved excessive social media use leads to higher levels of depression and anxiety in kids – up to double the normal rates. Children have died from suicide and self-harm content and from risk-taking challenge trends that circulate on social platforms. Countless more have been injured from similar content.

To counteract these heartbreaking trends, the House passed The Protect Our Children Online Act. It would require companies to:

• receive parental consent before a minor creates an account
• easily allow parents to revoke consent
• clearly define hateful content
• easily allow reporting of hateful content
• prohibit the collecting of detailed data about minor users

The passage of this bill would give parents the tools they need to keep their kids safe and set tough standards for social media companies to protect kids using their platforms. The Seante will now consider the bill.

HB 1632 (O’Mara) – Covering Post-Traumatic Stress Injuries under Worker’s Compensation for First Responders

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 154-46)

Law enforcement officers and other first responders care for us in our most vulnerable moments. They are the first to provide survivors and loved ones with physical and emotional support in extremely stressful situations. But the nature of this work predisposes first responders to an increased risk of mental health impacts, including depression and PTSI.   

The House passed legislation that would require Workers Compensation to cover Post Traumatic Stress Injuries sustained by first responders in the course of their employment. This legislation was championed by my colleague and friend, Rep. Jen O’Mara, who lost her dad, a Philadelphia firefighter, to suicide as a result of PTSI. Jen has worked relentlessly to make positive changes in the law that will save first responders’ lives. 

We must do everything we can to acknowledge and respect not just the physical, but also the mental and emotional toll that the work of being a first responder takes on their lives and their families. My colleagues and I are committed to that work, and I am hopeful that the PTSI legislation will have quick consideration and passage in the Senate.  

5/7/2024

HB 2206 (Bellmon) – Electronic Record of Firearm Sales

How I voted: Yes (Bill failed 101-100)

Although this bill received the majority of votes available on the House floor, it did not reach the 102-vote threshold necessary to pass and send a bill to the Senate. At its full complement, the House hosts 203 seats, and as such, most votes require 102 “Yes” votes for final passage (a select few legislative actions require a 2/3 majority).

Current state law requires licensed firearms dealers to submit records of firearm transfers and sales to the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) through an electronic or paper-based record system. HB 2206 simply moves away from the inefficient paper process and would instead require the use of the electronic transmission system for dealers who complete more than 20 transactions a year.  

Under the current paper-based system it can be weeks or months before law enforcement has access to these records. Using an Electronic Record of Sale system (EROS) would enhance the ability of law enforcement to determine the source of firearms used in crimes, which will provide better protection for our communities and reduce the current administrative burden placed on our state police.?? 

This bill would not allow for the collection of any new information at the point of sale; it only expedites the process by which the PSP are receiving already collected data.? 

This bill is about closing gaps in Pennsylvania’s safety system and strengthening law enforcement’s tools to enhance their ability to keep our communities safe. Although I am disappointed by this result, there has already been a motion to reconsider the bill.

HB 335 (Sanchez) – Ban on Multi-Burst Trigger Activators

How I voted: Yes (Bill failed 101-100)

Although this bill received the majority of votes available on the House floor, it did not reach the 102-vote threshold necessary to pass and send a bill to the Senate. At its full complement, the House hosts 203 seats, and as such, most votes require 102 “Yes” votes for final passage (a select few legislative actions require a 2/3 majority).

This bill focuses on multi-burst trigger activators/bump stocks. These are simple mechanical tools used to harness the energy created when a round is fired and use it to keep that rifle firing until the magazine is empty. It’s a loophole turning a legal rifle into an illegal rifle.

House Bill 335 would add these multi-burst trigger activators to the list of offensive weapons that are currently prohibited under state law. This would include slide fire and bump stocks. Firearms with these accessories have often been used in mass shootings, such as the 2017 Las Vegas shooting.   

Although its failure was disappointing to see, there has been a motion filed to reconsider HB 335.

HB 1615 (O’Mara) – Appliance Energy Efficiency Standards

How I voted: Yes (Bil passed the House 102-99)

The House voted to pass what would be the Pennsylvania Energy and Water Efficiency Standards Act. The standards this bill puts in place would apply to new commercial dishwashers, fryers, and ovens sold in the state. It would also limit water use for faucets, shower heads and toilets. It doesn’t ban any fuel used to power those things.

The source of the standards to be applied are mostly from Energy Star, a public-private partnership administered by the Environmental Protection Agency. In Pennsylvania, the oversight agency would be the Department of Environmental Protection.

By setting minimum appliance energy and water efficiency standards, Pennsylvania has the potential to save residents and businesses hundreds of millions of dollars each year and cut climate pollution by hundreds of thousands of tons annually. The cheapest, cleanest form of energy is the energy that we do not produce at all. I was excited to co-sponsor and vote Yes on the bill and will look forward to its consideration by our Senate.

5/6/2024

HB 1661 (Metzgar) – Criminalizing Illicit Possession of Xylazine, With Veterinary Use Exemptions

How I voted: No (House concurred in Senate Amendments 172-29)

I voted No on House Bill 1661, which would permanently classify xylazine, commonly known as “tranq”, as a Schedule III Drug under the Controlled Substances Act. The drug had temporarily been on the list of Schedule III Drugs under Pennsylvania’s Controlled Substance, Drug, Device, and Cosmetic Act since April 2023.  

Throughout the Commonwealth, we have seen the non-impact criminalizing drugs has had on our drug epidemic. Studies have shown that investing in health and rehabilitation services is a much more effective step in curbing illicit drug use.

I did vote Yes on the amendment to include exemptions for veterinarian use. The bill was signed into law by Governor Shapiro of May 15 as Act 17 of 2024.

HB 98 (Bullock) – Equal Pay

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 102-99)

Women and people of color remain at a disadvantage in the workplace. They accomplish the same tasks, perform the same jobs, yet are not compensated the same as their counterparts. According to the Women Law Project, Pennsylvania women who are employed full time lose a combined total of more than $19 billion every year due to the wage gap. The disparities are most severely demonstrated in the wage gap for women of color.

The legislation would prohibit employers from discriminating and paying workers less because of their gender, race or ethnicity. It would also add protections for retaliation and increase monetary penalties from $50-$200 to $2,500-$5,000 in cases where employers discharge or discriminate against an employee for filing a complaint.

I co-sponsored and voted Yes in support of this bill to promote gender equity in the workplace and narrow the wage gap here in Pennsylvania. All Pennsylvanians should have the opportunity to work hard, contribute to society, and support themselves and their families.

5/1/2024

HB 2202 (Conklin) – Minority Business Development

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 104-97)

Minority-owned businesses play a critical role in Pennsylvania’s economy, yet too often they face financing hurdles that prevent them from growing and maintaining their competitiveness in the marketplace. It’s time to level the playing field by connecting these businesses with the resources they need to thrive.

House Bill 2202 would establish the Minority Business Development Program to provide low-interest loans and equity financing to traditionally underserved business communities. This fund would provide eligible businesses with financing ranging from $3 million for one or more projects, to a maximum of $5 million for up to three projects, with higher limits in counties of the First or Second Class.

By providing these business owners with the resources they need to thrive, we can create jobs, add healthy competition to the marketplace, grow our local and state economies, and empower business owners to give back to their communities.

HB 2150 (Freeman) – Limited Extended Hours for Craft Breweries

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 200-1)

As someone who has previously worked in the craft beer industry, I understand firsthand the significant contribution that craft breweries make to our local and state economies and our state’s unique brewing narrative. However, I also understand the unique challenges these breweries face, unlike those of typical bars.

Breweries that provide on-sight consumption are only allowed to make sales until midnight Monday-Saturday and 11 p.m. on Sundays. House Bill 2150 would provide breweries with some needed flexibility, by allowing them to remain open and serve patrons until 2 a.m. on New Years Eve. Additionally, breweries would receive a one-time-use permit to remain open until 2 a.m. on one other day of their choosing during the year.

By providing this flexibility to operating hours, we can enable these businesses to remain competitive during the New Year’s holiday and allow for late hours for one other special event during the year. The legislation was will also apply to Pennsylvania distilleries. The bill now lands in the Senate for further consideration.

HB 847 (Conklin) – Help Counties Provide Quicker Election Results

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 102-99)

Voting by mail is a safe and secure option that makes voting more accessible and convenient to working folks, seniors, and other eligible voters who have a difficult time getting to the polls or prefer to vote by mail for any reason.

For county election officials, vote-by-mail ballots require a bit more work such as inspecting and opening envelopes containing ballots; removing them from the envelopes; and counting, computing, and tallying the votes. Under current law, county election officials can’t even open those envelopes before 7 a.m. on Election Day. This slows down the count and puts an extra burden on election workers as they work to report a final and accurate count as soon as possible after the polls close.

In response to public demand for faster election results, election workers have been asking for the ability to “pre-canvass” mail ballots, preparing them to be counted more quickly and have the vote totals completed promptly and accurately.

House Bill 847 would allow pre-canvassing of mail and absentee ballots to begin up to seven days before an election. That’s seven days to remove the ballots from the envelopes and prepare the ballots for counting. The counting of votes still would not take place until Election Day to ensure that no voter’s decision is influenced, especially individuals who vote in person on Election Day. This legislation would ease the burden on our election workers and allow the processing and counting of ballots to proceed more smoothly, which would ultimately allow us to get accurate election results sooner. I look forward to the Senate’s further consideration of this bill.

HB 2104 (Scott) and HB 2105 (Madden) – Strengthening Protections Against Workplace Discrimination

How I voted: Yes (Both Bills passed the House 102-99)

According to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Pennsylvania had the fifth-highest rate of workplace discrimination in the country in 2022. This ranking is based only on incidents reported to the federal government, but studies estimate that up to 90 percent of discrimination goes unreported. While we have the Human Relations Act in place to promote equality for all Pennsylvanians, it is clear measures need to be taken to enhance its protections for workers in the Commonwealth.

These bills, which were packaged and introduced together, would provide the Human Relations Act with those enhancements. House Bill 2104 will require employers to adopt written policies and procedures for preventing harassment, discrimination, and retaliation in the workplace. Meanwhile, House Bill 2105 amends exemptions to the Human Relations Act. Under current law, the act only applies to employers with at least 4 employees. This number would be lowered to two employees under HB 2105.

It would also create the Human Relations Act Training fund to ensure financial penalties collected under the act are used by the commission for training, education, and outreach. This will help employers comply with the law and help employees understand their rights.

Harassment, discrimination, and retaliation should be unacceptable in any workplace. These bills would strengthen Pennsylvania’s ability to protect equal opportunity in the workplace. The bills are now under further consideration in the Senate.  

4/30/2024

HB 1166 (Steele) – Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Asphalt Sealants

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 102-98)

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a class of chemicals found in coal, crude oil, and gasoline.  Coal tar and other asphalt sealants containing high amounts of PAHs are commonly used to maintain driveways, parking lots, and playgrounds. House Bill 1166 prohibits the supply, sale or application of sealants containing these PAHs on driveways or parking lots.

PAHs do not break down naturally. They have been known to wash into waterways, contaminate indoor air quality, and can lead to increased risk of lung, bladder and skin cancers in both humans and pets.

It is extremely troubling to me that these chemicals often spread in areas where our children are innocently playing (driveways, roadways, etc.). Alternative sealant options have the same efficacy, availability, look, and price, while not carrying the environmental and health concerns of PAH-based sealants. I was happy to vote Yes on this bill and it is now in the Senate.

4/17/2024

HB 1633 (Frankel) – Barring Non-Compete Agreements in Healthcare Employment

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 150-50)

Pennsylvania has been left behind by other states around the country when it comes to restrictive covenants, commonly known as non-competes. With no laws to limit their use, non-competes have disadvantaged our ability to attract top talent to Pennsylvania’s medical community.

Not only this, but non-competes disrupt patients’ long-term relationships with their trusted physicians. Patients should not feel restricted in choosing a physician. There is a provision included in the bill to allow for provider owned facilities and facilities in the most rural counties to still use limited non-competes.

Through the reduction of non-competes in healthcare employment, we can ensure patients can maintain their doctor-patient relationships and improve recruitment and retention of health professionals in communities across Pennsylvania.

Following passage in the Senate, Governor Shapiro signed this bill into law as Act 74 of 2024.

4/16/2024

HB 1472 (Solomon) – Transparency Around Dark Money

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 127-74)

I was a co-sponsor of House Bill 1472, as it overwhelmingly passed the House. The key pillars of this bill are encouraging transparency is campaign finance, restoring trust in government, and keeping the public appropriately informed regarding political campaigns.  

By broadening reporting requirements for all tax-exempt organizations and requiring reports of any contribution amount, the public can properly identify political funding sources and have complete agency in shaping their government and ensuring their representatives in government work for them. The massive spending by dark money groups has for too long undermined our electoral process and eroded faith in basic democratic principles.

I believe it is important for the public to have a high level of trust and transparency when it comes to government and their elected officials. I was happy to vote Yes on this bill and am hopeful it will receive positive consideration in the Senate.

HB 254 (Merski) – Lake Erie Wind Energy Development Act

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 102-99)

House Bill 254 provides for clean energy development on Lake Erie. The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will be tasked with overseeing this venture and will have the ability to lease submerged lands for solar, wind, and hydro energy development.

Pennsylvania has tremendous potential for clean energy development and it’s important we continue to see bills like this pass the House. Clean energy development is not just isolated to reducing our carbon footprint; it’s also about creating jobs and ensuring our energy security for future generations.   

DEP, and other consulting agencies, will account for shipping lanes, effects on wildlife, concentration of infrastructure and other factors as this development is planned. The bill is now in the Senate for further consideration.

4/15/2024

SB 709 (Boscola) – Increased Penalty for Killing Bald or Golden Eagles

How I voted: No (Bill passed the House 171-30)

Senate Bill 709 enhances the current penalties for killing a bald or golden eagle in Pennsylvania. In current statute, first time violations for killing a protected bird are a 2^nd degree misdemeanor, second time violations are a 1^st degree misdemeanor, and third and subsequent violations are a 3^rd degree felony.

The bill increases each of these violations by one degree, so that a first violation would be a 1^st degree misdemeanor and a third or subsequent violation would be a 2^nd degree felony.

This offense already provides for steep penalties, as the aforementioned violations (M2, M1, F3) range from 2-7 years in prison, $5,000-$15,000 in fines, and a possible suspension of a hunting license for 7-15 years. While I’m certainly in favor protecting eagles and other wildlife, there is no need for these additional punitive measures when these severe penalties are already in place for violators.

ACLU PA lays out a variety of reasons as to why this bill would do little to deter future harm. For these reasons, I decided to vote No on the bill. It will now return to the Senate for further approval.

Governor Shapiro signed the bill into law On May 8, as Act 13 of 2024.

HB 1799 (Siegel) – Investing in Future Redevelopment of Shopping Malls

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 106-95).

Shopping malls were once a staple of American culture and centers for consumer spending. With consumers turning to online shopping and the closure of stores due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many shopping malls and plazas have been left abandoned and add little value to the surrounding community. Municipalities have proposed revitalizing shopping malls into mixed-use development communities, but developers see these projects as very costly and are hesitant to take on such a vast job.

To ease these reservations, House Bill 1799 would authorize local taxing authorities (counties, cities, boroughs, incorporated towns, townships, and school districts) to provide developers special tax incentives for redeveloping shopping malls.

Amid a housing crisis, this bill provides a gateway to creating attainable and versatile housing options. The redevelopment of shopping malls can benefit young people new to the housing market and older folks looking to downsize. I voted Yes on the bill as it now goes to the Senate for further consideration.

HB 1573 (Ciresi) – Historic and Older Building Redevelopment Assistance Grant Program

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 102-99)

Pennsylvania is home to many historic communities with buildings in need of renovation as they do not comply with modern building codes. However, renovations can be complicated and costly depending on the age, condition, and intended use of the building. This can provide obstacles to communities seeking to revitalize their downtowns and return vacant buildings to productive use.

House Bill 1573 would create a two-year pilot program to help renovate and redevelop historic and older buildings across the Commonwealth.

Specifically, the program would help bring mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire-protection systems up to code through the installation of modern equipment such as sprinklers, efficient HVAC systems, elevators, and extra stairs. Additionally, grants could be used to make improvements to entryways and other building features to make buildings more accessible for people with disabilities.

Chester County, and specifically our district, is littered with historically significant properties in need of renovations. I co-sponsored and voted Yes on the bill to ensure we can keep our local, historical properties in proper condition.

4/10/2024

HB 1593 (Otten and Bullock) – Expanding Early Intervention Services for Postpartum Depression and Adverse Childhood Experiences

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 102-98)

I was the prime sponsor of House Bill 1593 along with Rep. Donna Bullock. The bill expands services to children from birth through two years with mothers diagnosed with or at high risk for postpartum depression, ensuring that these vulnerable children and their families have access to the support they need. Early intervention services can reduce a family’s sources of stress and encourage healthy relationships among children, families and caregivers.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, untreated postpartum depression can hurt a parent’s ability to bond with and care for their baby and lead to discontinued breastfeeding, family dysfunction and an increased risk of child abuse and neglect. Meanwhile, the efficacy of early intervention is well-documented among service providers and families.

I’m thankful to receiving support from the entirety of the House Democratic Caucus on the House floor and am looking forward to the Senate’s consideration of the bill.  

HB 1598 (Pielli) -Disclosure of Artificially Intelligent Generated Content

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 146-54)

There has been much public discourse about artificial intelligence (AI) recently, and here in the House we are taking steps to protect Pennsylvanians from the dangers it can pose. As AI becomes more prevalent it becomes increasingly difficult to discern the source of content. It is important to be aware of fabricated content that can be used to defraud and scam Pennsylvanians.

This bill is not intended to inhibit AI, it simply calls for proper disclosure when content is AI generated. By clearly making it clearly know content is AI generated, consumers can have a commonsense baseline to make informed decisions and not worry about being purposefully misled by malicious and misinformed AI generation.  

Simply put – if something is AI, it has to say it’ AI, and that’s why I co-sponsored and voted Yes on the bill. We should not have to burden ourselves with meticulously analyzing content to discover its source. The bill will now go to the Senate for further consideration.

HB 1512 (Sappey) – Ensuring Telemedicine Access for Pennsylvanians

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 197-3)

The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the effectiveness of telemedicine. It became evident during the pandemic that telemedicine is a versatile resource that can maintain high levels of healthcare, especially in times of crisis.   

Unfortunately, Pennsylvania is one of a handful of state that does not require health insurers to cover telemedicine. This bill aims to change that by prohibiting health insurers from refusing payment or reimbursement to a health care provider or insured person solely because a healthcare service was provided via telemedicine.

I firmly believe we need to work towards real solutions to make healthcare more affordable and accessible. By eliminating insurance company red tape, we can increase healthcare accessibility through telemedicine services.  I was glad to see the bill receive bipartisan support and thank Rep. Sappey for its introduction. It now goes on to the Senate for further consideration.

SB 1111 (Baker) – Expanding Megan’s Law

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 200-0)

Senate Bill 1111 requires individuals who are convicted of inchoate crimes related to human trafficking offenses to register under the Sexual Offender Registration and Notification Act.

Inchoate means they were convicted of an attempt, conspiracy, or solicitation to commit such an offense. In other words, someone who does a bad job of doing the human trafficking should still be held accountable for trying.

Human traffickers should not be able to escape the full rigors of the law due to technicalities. This bill closes a loophole in current statute and will allow for justice to be duly served throughout the Commonwealth. For the reasons, I voted Yes on the bill as it passed the House unanimously.

Governor Shapiro signed the bill into law on May 8, as Act 16 of 2024.

4/9/2024

HR 269 (Kinkead) – Modernizing the Pennsylvania Crimes Code

How I voted: Yes (Resolution adopted by the House 102-99)

Since its enactment in 1972, when it then consisted of 282 criminal offenses and sub-offenses, the modern crimes code has ballooned to over 1500 offenses and sub-offenses. This has resulted in a disjointed and irrational crimes code which has become difficult for citizens to fully understand and for courts to interpret.

This resolution will direct the Joint State Government Commission to review the crimes code to identify overlapping and duplicative offenses, improper offense grading, outdated terms, and gaps in criminal liability to accordingly make recommendations to the General Assembly.

As it was aptly put by Rep. Kinkead on the House floor, does fortunetelling for profit still need to be in state law? This antiquation permeates the crimes codes. There is a need for consolidation in some areas and updates in others, and as such, I was happy to vote Yes to adopt the resolution.

HB 491 (Young) – Expanding the Use of Mechanical Insulation Energy Efficiency and Conservation Programs

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House unanimously)

This bill simply clarifies the PUC may not disapprove an energy efficiency plan solely because it contains a mechanical insulation component. Mechanical insulation is safe and industry standard. It protects workers from burns, reduces noise pollution and is essential to energy conservation in heating and cooling pipes.

It’s documented the Public Utility Commission (PUC) has used mechanical insulation inclusion as a reason to delay or reject energy efficiency program applications. As it has been established that the material is effective and economically viable, I voted yes on the bill to remove this needless barrier to electric distribution companies who are increasing energy efficiency. The bill now moves to the Senate.

SB 37 (Brown) – Enhanced Driver Responsibility (while operating an interactive wireless communication device)

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 124-77)

Senate Bill 37 expands the current prohibition on texting while driving to include use of any interactive mobile device while driving, except a completely hands-free device.

At its core principles, the bill takes the existing ban on texting and driving and expands it to all uses (social media browsing, video streaming, emailing, etc.) of a mobile phone, personal digital assistants, mobile or portable computers, and similar devices. The current texting and driving statute is a primary enforcement law, meaning, an officer may cite a driver for texting without any other traffic violations taking place. This bill makes no changes to primary enforcement of the law.  

Additionally, the bill was amended in the House to require municipal police to gather data on the race, ethnicity, gender, age of a driver and other details during a traffic stop. 

The bill sparked some spirited debate on the House floor. To ensure we can feel safe on Pennsylvania roads from distracted drivers, I voted Yes on the bill.

On June 5, 2024, Governor Shapiro signed the bill into law as Act 18 of 2024.  

4/8/2024

HB 657 (Bullock and Cephas) – Unfair Realty Agreements

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 176-25)

House Bill 657 expands consumer protections against unfair agreements offered by real estate service providers. Realty companies have made a habit of targeting vulnerable neighborhoods and locking unsuspecting homeowners into questionable realty contracts. Should the homeowner try to cancel the agreement, they’re sued by the realty company.

In the interest of consumer protection, I was a Yes vote on the bill. By deeming certain forbidden content in violation of the Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Act, the Commonwealth can protect home and property owners from the predatory practices of the real estate industry. Under the bill, consumers can use the courts to have these unfair contracts deemed unenforceable and thus protect themselves from financial penalty. I was pleased to see bipartisan support for the bill as it now heads to the state Senate.

3/27/2024

HB 777 (Cephas and Kenyatta) – Banning “Ghost Gun” Parts (Former HB 1966 of 2021-22)

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 104-97)

House Bill 777 cracks down on the purchase, sale, and production of untraceable guns and gun parts, known as ghost guns.

The current lack of regulation around ghost guns has made them the weapon of choice for criminals. Ghost gun parts and kits can be bought by anyone – a convicted felon, a domestic abuser, a minor – without any kind of a background check. Some ghost guns are built specifically to evade metal detectors and security scanners, making our streets, schools and other public and private spaces more dangerous for citizens and law enforcement. By requiring serial numbers and background checks, the bill simply closes a loophole in state law to treat ghost guns like any other firearm and give law enforcement the tools they need to track and trace these weapons in the event they are used to commit a crime. 

The issues of crime and illegal gun possession are complex, and no one piece of legislation can comprehensively address the problem. We need to address the root causes of gun violence and criminal activity. This bill is a common-sense gun safety measure and just one step toward reducing gun violence and making our communities safer. 

I thank Rep. Cephas and Rep. Kenyatta for their introduction of the bill and I’m looking forward to the Senate’s consideration.

HB 1443 (Green) – Playground Safety Act

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 102-99)

House Bill 1443 would require the Department of Community and Economic Development to adopt regulations that would establish safety standards for the design, installation and maintenance of all playgrounds operated by Pennsylvania, as well as public, private, and charter schools, and approved child-care facilities. Additionally, a Statewide Playground Advisory Council would be established to enforce playground regulations, standards, and inspections and for the creation of safety models.

By maintaining safe playgrounds and playground equipment, we can keep our kids healthy, active, and happy. I voted yes on the bill, and it now goes to the Senate for further consideration.

HB 1678 (N. Nelson and Mihalek) – Pennsylvania’s Public Safety and Rehabilitation Act

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 152-49)

In a continued effort to reduce recidivism and reform our correctional institutions the House passed HB 1678, the PA Public Safety and Rehabilitation Act. The bill incentivizes educational and vocational training for incarcerated individuals. Completion of credits in these programs will allow for earlier parole opportunities. Individuals sentenced for some crimes (murder, human trafficking, involuntary servitude, rape, statutory sexual assault, etc.) will be ineligible for this program.  

Studies have shown that people who participated in correctional education programs had 43% lower odds of re-entering the prison system and had 13% higher chances of securing employment post-incarceration. I voted Yes on the bill as it now goes over to our state Senate.

HB 1601 (Kinkead) – Providing People Transitioning from Incarceration with Drivers Licenses and Work Permits Prior to Re-Entry

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 102-99)

Access to legal employment is key to reducing recidivism in a world that is increasingly struggling to fill job opportunities across the board. Vital to securing employment, and housing or education, is identification. Individuals transitioning out of incarceration already have a difficult enough time adjusting. Getting IDs and work permits to these individuals can ease their transition.

Ensuring people transitioning from incarceration have the tools to meaningfully contribute to society is essential to securing Pennsylvania’s future workforce and is commonsense corrections reform. House Bill 1601 will equip the Department of Corrections, Health, and Transportation to coordinate efforts to provide soon-to-be released individuals with a birth certificate, Social Security card, and a photo ID or driver’s license upon release. For these reasons I voted Yes on the bill.

3/26/2024

HB 1842 (Schweyer) – Community Solar Legislation

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 111-90)

Opening access to renewable energy is both environmentally AND economically pragmatic for our Commonwealth. Community solar would ease energy output on the grid, protect the environment from fossil fuel emissions, and bring thousands of jobs to the state. Hundreds-of-thousands of Pennsylvanians don’t have the physical space to support solar panels on their property – this bill will extend solar access to those Pennsylvanians.

Under the bill, customers would be allowed to subscribe to a portion of a community solar facility with guaranteed savings and allow for access to the creation, financing, accessibility, and operation that the facility can provide. By encouraging development of community solar programs which enable robust participation, this program will benefit low to moderate income customers and their communities.

Solar energy will be vital in promoting a clean and sustainable energy future. For these reasons I was a Yes vote on the bill. I encourage the Senate to seriously consider the positive impacts community solar can bring Pennsylvania.

HB 1549 (Madsen) – Helping Tenants to Relocate to Safe, Clean, and Habitable Housing when their Rental Property is Condemned

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 106-95)

Through no fault of their own, tenants may find themselves without housing when their rental properties fall into disrepair and face condemnation. When a landlord has failed to maintain necessary upkeep of a rental property, tenants are left to suffer with unsatisfactory living conditions that could harm their health and the potentially force them to relocate. Tenants should not be made to wear the financial and emotional costs of a relocation.

House Bill 1549 will hold landlords accountable for their negligence. The bill will shift the burden from tenants to landlords to provide for relocation.

Requiring landlords to provide financial assistance to permanently displaced tenants, in the event their rental property is unhabitable due to code violations, is a change that will properly place the responsibility of this transgression. I was a Yes vote and look forward to the Senate’s consideration of the bill.

3/25/2024

SB 55 (Santarsiero) – Preventing Abuse in Child Custody Proceedings – Kayden’s Law

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 119-82)

The House concurred with the Senate’s passage of this bill and passed Senate Bill 55 with a wide array of bipartisan support. SB 55 amends child custody law to ensure the safety of a child is paramount in awarding custody or visitation rights.

In the Summer of 2018, Kayden Mancuso was murdered by her biological father, Jeffrey, during a court-ordered visit. Despite a revelation of suicidal thoughts, depression, and violent tendencies in a psychological evaluation during custody proceedings, the court granted Jeffrey unsupervised visits with Kayden. His previous assault convictions and abuse orders were not properly scrutinized by the court and state law ultimately failed Kayden.

Under SB 55, courts are required to consider criminal convictions, child abuse, and involvement with protective services when granting custody provisions. No single factor will be determinative in awarding custody. Courts must examine the totality of circumstances but give priority to factors affecting the safety of the child. In the interest of child safety, I voted Yes on the bill.

On April 15, 2024, Governor Shapiro signed Senate Bill 55 into law as Act 8 of 2024.

HB 1665 (Steele) – Increasing Student Success with More School Counselor Support

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 102-99)

With a continued purpose to address and improve Pennsylvania’s education system, the House passed HB 1665 to create the School Counseling Services Act. We need to ensure school counselors have the resources to be as effective in their jobs as possible. The School Counseling Services Act will present new guidelines through which student success can be achieved at the highest level.

The first part of the bill is a requirement that schools develop and implement a written school counseling plan that provides comprehensive and developmental support to all students. The second part requires school counselors to dedicate 80% of their working time with students on academic advisement, career planning, social and emotional skills development, etc. School counselors are there to counsel – not administrate.

This bill provides the potential to increase student success and allow for the blossoming of the next generation of contributors to Pennsylvania’s workforce. I look forward to the Senate’s consideration of the bill.

HB 1446 (R. Mackenzie) – Protecting Domestic Violence Victims by Providing Unemployment Benefits

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 158-43)

In a bipartisan vote, the House passed HB 1446. The bill creates unemployment compensation eligibility exceptions for victims of domestic violence.

Under current UC Law, an individual who quits employment has the burden to prove eligibility under a two-point test: 1) the reasons for quitting must be “necessitous and compelling,” and 2) the claimant must have made reasonable efforts to maintain the employment relationship. 

The bill amends this law by ensuring that employees may not be deemed ineligible for UC benefits for voluntarily quitting if the employee believes that maintaining their current employment could threaten their safety or the safety of a member of their family/household. Domestic violence victims should not be punished for seeking safety and security. I was happy to vote Yes on the bill. It now goes to our state Senate for consideration.

3/20/2024

HB 1399 (Bullock) – Law Enforcement Badge Visibility

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House unanimously)

In a display of bipartisanship, the House passed HB 1399 in unanimous fashion. The bill would require that city, county, or other municipal uniformed police officers display a badge, tag or label clearly identifying the officer (would not apply to officers not in uniform, such as those working undercover).

There needs to be an effort in our Commonwealth to build strong relationships between law enforcement and local communities. Increased transparency and accountability are key starting points to accomplishing this.

I was proud to stand with my colleagues and vote Yes on the bill. Law enforcement officers are often heroes in our local communities, but accountability cannot be forsaken. I’m looking forward to the Senate’s consideration of the bill.

HB 1748 (McNeill) – Labor Broker Registration Act

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 117-84)

This bill would allow for more oversight into labor brokers on behalf of the Department of Labor and Industry. There has been an uptick in unregulated labor brokers working with constructions firms to misclassify workers as “Independent Contractors”. This reduces both worker pay and state tax revenues.

The bill enacts a unanimous recommendation made by the Joint Task Force on Misclassification. This task force identified labor brokers as key contributors to worker misclassification in construction and other industries. As protecting workers’ rights remains a priority of mine, I voted Yes to end worker misclassification. The bill will now head to our state Senate.

SB 654 (Bartolotta) – Cost & Percent Deletion of Mines, Oil and Gas Wells, and other Natural Deposits

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 106-95)

Upon its arrival from the Senate, Senate Bill 654 was amended in the House Appropriations Committee to increase the transfer of sales tax revenue to the Public Transportation fund by 1.75%. This increase is expected to generate an additional $300 million for all public transit systems in Pennsylvania.

Our district relies heavily on SEPTA, with the Paoli/Thorndale Line for city commuters and bus routes along the Route 30 corridor. This funding increase will allow for SEPTA to maintain these routes while keeping fares affordable.

For these reasons, I voted Yes on the bill. The 1.75% increase mirrors what Gov. Josh Shapiro requested in his proposal for the 2024-25 state budget. The bill will now go back to the Senate for approval.

On July 11^th, 2024, Senate Bill 654 was signed into law as the FY 2024-25 Tax Code. A key provision in this year’s Tax Code is Student Loan Interest Deduction, which will allow Pennsylvanians to deduct student loan interest from their taxable income under the personal income tax.

3/19/2024

HB 1875 (Malagari) – AP Exam Cost Reduction (Bill passed the House 144-57)

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 144-57)

After completing rigorous AP courses, high schoolers can take an AP exam to earn college credit. These exams can cost $100 or more, posing a financial barrier to families without the necessary financial resources.

House Bill 1875 introduces a grant program to cover Pennsylvania student’s AP Exam fees AND train educators to teach AP courses. I voted Yes on this bill as it removes an unnecessary cost for our students and presents a path to establishing generations of students equipped with the skills needed for the modern workforce.  The bill now goes over to the Senate for consideration.

3/18/2024

HB 1564 (Cerrato) – Licensed Associate Marriage and Family Therapists

How I voted: Yes (House concurred in Senate Amendments 135-66)

House Bill 1564 allows for the Commonwealth to add crucial resources for mental health care providers with the creation of the Licensed Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (LAMFT) credential.

Pennsylvania is in a mental health crisis. Incidents of depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts have increased since the COVID-19 pandemic. Measures to educate and encourage Pennsylvanians to care for their mental health while meeting the ongoing demand for mental health care providers is imperative in facing this crisis head on.

For these reasons, I voted Yes on the bill. Governor Shapiro signed the bill into law as Act 4 of 2024.

HB 1843 (Donahue) – Sentencing Conditions for Child Victim Offenders

How I voted:  Yes (Bill passed the House 125-76)

House Bill 1843 will allow minors additional legal protections in cases of child abuse and trafficking. It will give the judge presiding over the case discretionary power to depart from mandatory minimum sentencing requirements when sentencing a child victim, who may have committed a crime of retaliation against their abuser.

Children should not be held responsible for the trauma caused by their abusers. For these reasons I voted Yes voted on the bill as it received bipartisan support. It now heads to the Senate for further consideration.

12/13/2023

HB 301 (Harkins) and SB 843 (Argall) – 2023-24 FY Education Code Bills

How I voted: Yes (House Concurred in Senate Amendments 175-28 and 118-15)

After months of deliberation, the House and Senate passed a pair of bipartisan Education Code Bills, part of the annual package of budget bills.

Key provisions include Student Teacher Stipends, legislation I introduced in the House, which will help address Pennsylvania’s teacher shortage and provide prospective teachers financial relief during their student teaching.

Also included is $175 million for school facility repairs to address things like lead, mold, and asbestos removal.

Of the $175 million going to school facility repairs, $100 million comes from funding previously earmarked for the Level Up program, which in recent budget years has provided additional support to the state’s 100 poorest school districts. There was also a 30% increase to the EITC and OSTC programs, which give public tax dollars to unaccountable private and religious schools that often engage in discriminatory practices. I opposed this increase, and it was disheartening to see both this funding and Level Up’s exclusion in the final legislation, but these are the compromises we make in a divided legislature, and I am proud of the work that House Democrats did to build on an already historic year for public education funding in PA.

The Governor signed the bills into law on December 13, 2023, as Act 33 and Act 35 of 2023, respectively.

HB 1300 (Mehaffie) –2023-24 FY Fiscal Code Bill

How I voted: Yes (House Concurred in Senate Amendments 154-49)

The House passed the Fiscal Code bill authorizing state agencies to spend the money that was included in the general appropriations bill we passed in August.

Included in the Fiscal Code bill, HB 1300, were a number of provisions that work to deliver real help for thousands of Pennsylvanians. I was particularly pleased to see significant increases to the Child & Dependent Care Tax Credits. This tax credit eases the burden for working families who pay for and rely on child and dependent care in order to work.

Eligible families who qualify for the federal Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit are eligible for the state tax credit, which is currently equal to 30% of the federal credit. These families claim this tax credit when they file their federal and state tax returns. As a result, nearly a quarter million working families will see their state tax credits more than triple. That means more money back in your pocket for childcare expenses and dependent care expenses, beginning with the 2023 tax return you’ll file in spring of 2024.

As a mother and the family member of someone who required round-the-clock care, I know just how difficult it can be to balance work, bills, and securing access to affordable and dependable care for our loved ones. And this budget prioritized making child and dependent care accessible for families. That’s a win for our families, our workforce, and our economy.

Governor Shapiro signed the bill into law on December 13, 2023, as Act 34 of 2023.

SB 596(Argall) – Fighting Back Against Organized Retail Theft

How I voted: No (Bill passed the House 179-24)

Senate Bill 596 would significantly lower thresholds for retail theft felonies. The bill relies on demonstrably failed “tough on crime” policies.  SB 596 will increase the disparate impact already felt in marginalized communities with responses such as over-policing and increased incarceration.

By also creating a new first-degree felony for organized retail theft, the bill would fuel racial and economic disparities, while siphoning off taxpayer dollars to fund the prosecution of these cases. For these reasons, I voted No on the bill.

Senate bill 596 was signed into law by Governor Shapiro on December 14, 2023, as Act 42 of 2023.

SB 527 (Farry) – Cracking Down on Porch Pirating

How I voted: No (Bill passed the House 181-22)

Senate Bill 527 creates a new, duplicative offense for theft of mail and would treat Accelerated Rehabilitation Disposition (ARD) as a prior conviction. Under state law, theft is already criminalized. This bill is redundant in that it creates a new offense for theft specifically as it relates to mail, rather than simply amending the current law to clarify “theft” includes “theft of mail.”

The bill also treats ARD acceptance as a prior guilty conviction to trigger penalty enhancements. This defeats the purpose of the ARD program, which is a type of pretrial intervention that offers first-time offenders the ability to expunge that charge from their record upon successful completion of rehabilitation and supervision. Importantly, acceptance of ARD does not constitute a conviction.

For these reasons, I voted No on the Senate Bill 527. The bill was signed into law by Governor Shapiro on December 14, 2023, as Act 41 of 2023.

SB 140 (Langerholc) – Mass Transit Prosecutor Program

How I voted:  No (Bill passed the House 159-44)

Senate Bill 140 creates a special prosecutor under the Attorney General’s office responsible for investigating and prosecuting all crimes that occur on public transportation in Philadelphia.

This bill is just another way to undermine the authority of a single district attorney—specifically the Philadelphia District Attorney—who was duly elected by the residents of Philadelphia. This bill risks violating the Pennsylvania Constitution, which bars the state from creating laws that undermine local governing authorities.

For these reasons, I voted No on the bill. It was signed into law by Governor Shapiro on December 14, 2023, as Act 40 of 2023.

HR 282 (Otten) – Recognizing 2023 as the “Taylor Swift Era” in Pennsylvania

How I voted: Yes (Resolution adopted by the House 103-100)

In celebration of Taylor Swift’s recent selection as TIME Magazine's 2023 Person of the Year and acknowledgment of her positive impact on Pennsylvania, the economy, voter registration numbers, consumer protections and pro-labor practices; I introduced a resolution formally recognizing 2023 as the “Taylor Swift Era” in Pennsylvania

I know there are some who may be wondering why something like this is a legislative priority. Congratulatory resolutions have been a regular part of every session week I have participated in since taking office in 2019. For example, just a few weeks before the Taylor Swift resolution, the House voted on a resolution to recognize MLB Hall-of-Famer Roberto Clemente for his achievements and contributions to Pennsylvania. Interestingly, no one made speeches objecting to that resolution, which passed the House by a vote of 202-1.

The vote itself took about five minutes in an extremely busy and productive week. The only thing that was frivolous about the Taylor Swift resolution was the extensive debate from detractors on the House floor about whether the contributions and successes of a woman from Pennsylvania were worthy of recognition by the House of Representatives.

I am super proud that we ultimately voted to recognize a young woman from Pennsylvania, as the House adopted the resolution with bipartisan support.

12/12/2023

HB 1417 (Curry) – Restoring Dental Coverage for Medical Assistance Recipients

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 153-50)

I voted Yes as the House passed House Bill 1417, restoring dental coverage for Pennsylvanians on Medical Assistance. I applaud Rep. Gina Curry for introducing this important legislation.

Dental health is a critical component of overall health and wellbeing, but spending cuts approved under the Corbett administration in 2011 allowed Pennsylvania to fail its most vulnerable residents. Medical Assistance recipients have been prevented from receiving the oral health care they need. By restoring this coverage, we can ensure these individuals are covered for dental cleanings and procedures.

I was proud to vote Yes and take a step in ensuring a dental benefit package is provided to Medical Assistance recipients. This legislation now awaits action in the Senate.

HB 1585 (Frankel) – Expansion of Dental Care through Technology Act

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 163-40)

The house passed House Bill 1585, which would provide for the regulation and insurance coverage of tele dentistry services. A 2019 report from the Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health at Penn State found a significant disparity in dental supply rates between urban and rural areas, with rural areas having only half the supply as urban areas.  

This bill could help bridge that disparity. By ensuring insurance coverage of tele dentistry services, households in rural areas would still maintain the option of meeting with urban dental providers through virtual connections. For these reasons, I voted Yes on this bill. It now awaits action in the Senate.

12/11/2023

HB 1751 (Donahue) – Strengthening the Construction Workplace Misclassification Act

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 121-82)

The House held a floor vote on House Bill 1751 to prevent worker misclassification, specifically as it relates to construction contractors.

The intentional misclassification of employees by construction contractors prevents workers from being able to get access to workers’ compensation and unemployment compensation. In the interest of fairness and ensuring that workers get their benefits, I voted Yes on this bill, and I will continue to prioritize the protection and advancement of workers’ rights throughout the Commonwealth.

11/15/2023

HB 1461 (Harris) – Funding for State-Related Universities

How I voted: Yes (House concurred in Senate amendments 149-54)

House Bill 1461, originally passed by the House in the June as the funding bill for Lincoln University, was amended in the Senate to include funding for all four of our state-related universities – Lincoln, Penn State, Pitt, and Temple.

The House concurred with these Senate amendments, and the Governor signed the bill into law on November 16 as Act 11A of 2023, finally securing the continuation of this funding, which is used to provide tuition discounts for in-state college students and their families.

HB 507 (Fiedler) – No Pelvic Exams Without Consent

How I voted: Yes (House unanimously concurred in Senate amendments)

Patients who walk into the hospital for a procedure may not be aware of what happens while they are under anesthesia. It’s a shocking and disturbing realization for many people that, for educational purposes, medical students in teaching hospitals may perform a rectal, prostate, or pelvic exam on a patient who is under anesthesia for an unrelated procedure.

I co-sponsored and voted support of this bill, which requires providers to obtain specific, informed consent before performing a rectal, prostate, or pelvic exam for educational purposes. Governor Shapiro has signed the bill into law as Act 31 of 2023.

HB 1786 (Daley) – Abortion Protections

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 117-86)

This bill would prohibit other states from using resources of Pennsylvania courts, court officers, certain law enforcement agencies, and the Governor to assist in civil and criminal actions from other states involving reproductive healthcare services.

I co-sponsored and voted yes on this legislation to ensure that the Commonwealth is not complicit in other states’ efforts to attack bodily autonomy. While we cannot prevent other states from criminalizing abortion, we can protect individuals seeking and providing reproductive healthcare services in Pennsylvania.

HB 1752 (Kazeem) – Designating Eid al-Fitr as a State Holiday

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 134-69)

This bill would provide for the annual designation and holiday observance of the first day of the Islamic lunar month of Shawwal as Eid al-Fitr day in the Commonwealth.

This legislation does not require an employer to treat Eid al-Fitr Day as a legal or official holiday or provide paid leave to an employee on Eid al-Fitr Day solely by virtue of the date being designated under this legislation. I voted yes because it is important to me that our state holidays reflect and recognize all Pennsylvanians.

HB 1481 (Steele) – Unemployment Compensation Eligibility for Striking Workers

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 106-97)

I voted yes and was a co-sponsor on HB 1481. This bill would permit any worker who is unemployed due to a work stoppage (lock-out or strike) to qualify for unemployment compensation (UC) benefits.

While a work stoppage is not ideal for employees nor employers, employers have the option to hire temporary replacement workers, while striking employees must simply “stick it out” and wait for a resolution to be reached.

I believe the right thing to do is to offer striking employees the same eligibility status as any other eligible worker who meets all other requirements under our Unemployment Compensation Act.

11/14/2023

HB 1416 (Malagari) – Providing a COLA to SERS and PSERS

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 140-63)

I voted yes to pass House Bill 1416, which would provide a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for school employees (PSERS) and state workers (SERS) who retired before July 2, 2001.

This subset of long-retired public workers has not received a pension adjustment to account for inflation in more than 20 years, and we received a tremendous amount of support from constituents in support of this legislation. Pending Senate consideration, this bill will deliver crucial financial help for older seniors who are struggling to live frugally on fixed incomes.

HB 863 (D. Williams) – Lowering Fitness Standards for Police Officers

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 115-88)

This bill seeks to address a widespread shortage of police recruits by using a lower entry point for candidates to begin their training by reducing the physical fitness requirements and permitting local jurisdictions to use an alternative reading comprehension test.  

While this legislation does reduce the physical fitness standards required to begin training, it’s important to note that the bill still maintains the current physical fitness standards for a recruit to actually be employed as a police officer. I voted Yes on the bill as it passed the House with bipartisan support. On December 14, Governor Shapiro signed the bill into law as Act 27 of 2023.

11/13/2023

HB 1243 (Benninghoff) – Real ID Application Process

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House unanimously)

With the Real ID enforcement deadline now extended to May 7, 2025, and many Pennsylvanians still needing to obtain their Real IDs, the House passed HB 1243 to help streamline this process. This bill requires PennDOT to accept additional documents (W-2 form, SSA 1099 form, non-SSA 1099 form, or a pay stub) to verify an applicant’s social security number, in lieu of the applicant’s original social security card, which is the only social security documentation accepted by PennDOT under the current system.  

This commonsense, bipartisan legislation, now pending Senate consideration and approval, would make it more convenient for Pennsylvanians to get their Real IDs.

SB 500 (Brooks) – Medicaid Coverage for Pasteurized Donor Human Milk

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House unanimously)

I heard an overwhelming amount of support for this bill from constituents. The bill would provide for Medical Assistance coverage for human breast milk for medically qualified infants.

SB 500 passed unanimously in all floor and committee votes in both the House and Senate, and Governor Shapiro signed the bill into law on November 21 as Act 32 of 2023.

HB 842 (Kenyatta) – The Clawback Act

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 102-101)

This bill establishes that all new state grant and loan programs include contract language to address and require payback of funds if the recipient fails to comply with contract terms or funds are being misused. I voted yes because this bill safeguards taxpayer dollars by ensuring that critical tools like our commonwealth’s loan and grant programs are used to serve the needs of said taxpayers.

10/31/2023

HB 612 (Harris) - Funding for State-Related Universities

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 145-57)

On Tuesday, October 31, the House finally got the necessary votes to pass an omnibus appropriations bill for our state-related universities, Lincoln, Penn State, Pitt, and Temple. With this bill now moving over to the Senate for continued consideration, we are one step closer to bringing financial relief to our in-state college students and their families.

HB 1024 (Frankel) – Anti-Hate Crimes Package

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 112-90)

HB 1024 is part of a package of anti-hate crime bills. This bill would expand protections for hate-based intimidation and requires police training to identify hate-based intimidation. Passage of this bill in the Senate would allow Pennsylvania to accurately track cases of hate-based intimidation across the state.

HB 1025 (N. Nelson) – Anti-Hate Crimes Package

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 111-91)

The Southern Poverty Law Center has warned that hate groups are specifically “targeting college campuses” as recruiting grounds, where “you're dealing with people who may be just starting to form their ideas about the world.” HB 1025 would require educational institutions to include hate-based intimidation policies and reporting within their existing reporting systems.

HB 1027 (Frankel) – Anti-Hate Crimes Package

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 116-86)

HB 1027 strengthens the criminal hate-based intimidation statute and civil rights violation statute regarding hate-based intimidation. Specifically, this bill would strengthen criminal penalties for ethnic intimidation and civil penalties for those who target individuals or groups because of their race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, disability, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation.

I voted yes because hate-based attacks have become more frequent and more violent, but Pennsylvania still does not have adequate laws to address them. Hate has no place in Pennsylvania, and every resident of our state deserves to live safely and without fear.

10/30/2023

HB 1474 (Ciresi) – Expanding C-PACE to Include Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 102-100)

House Bill 1474 expands the Pennsylvania Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) program to include EV charging infrastructure as an eligible project type. This bill would afford the Commonwealth the opportunity to connect the growing demand for electric vehicle charging infrastructure with the successful funding mechanism already in place in the C-PACE program.

SB 84 (Phillips-Hill) – Protecting the First Amendment Right to Freedom of Religious Expression

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 201-1)

By repealing a section of the School Code, this bill allows for a public-school teacher to wear a garb, mark, emblem, or insignia that would indicate that they are member or adherent to any religious order or sect while in the performance of their duties as a teacher.

Governor Shapiro signed this bill into law as Act 26 of 2023.

10/18/2023

HB 1658 (Matzie) – Banning Speculative Ticketing

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 201-0)

This bill bans the deceptive practice known at “speculative ticketing,” which occurs when ticket resellers don’t yet have tickets to sell for an event, but they sell tickets they don’t have in hopes of obtaining some prior to making a transfer to the buyer.

Victims of speculative ticketing not only fail to get a real ticket but also don’t get their money back. HB 1658 would bar resellers from selling tickets unless they actually possess the tickets. Additionally, this bill would allow victims to sue for damages, such as costs of a ticket, hotel, and travel expenses. 

With this bill unanimously passing the House, the Senate now has the opportunity to do the same and add an extra safeguard for Pennsylvania consumers.

HB 636 (Pisciottano) – Pay the Price You See – Junk Fee Transparency

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 172-31)

I co-sponsored and voted Yes on HB 636, which is intended to improve transparency for consumers. Far too often, consumers are hit with hidden, last-second, mandatory fees, also known as “junk fees,” when purchasing event tickets, lodging, or food delivery services.

This bill would require companies to show consumers the full price, including all mandatory fees and charges, right up front (“all-in pricing”), instead of waiting until the last second at check out. I voted Yes to help ensure that consumers are protected from deceptive and hidden fees. The bill is now in the Senate for consideration.

10/16/2023

HB 1378 (Malagari) – Prohibiting Grinch Bots

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 193-10)

This bill aims to protect Pennsylvania consumers by banning “Grinch Bots” – computer programs used to purchase tickets for an event for the purpose of reselling them at a higher price. This legislation would punish companies that use AI and software loopholes known as Grinch Bots to digitally cut in line and buy up huge quantities of tickets or products before regular consumers can even log on, and then re-sell them to consumers at massive markups.

10/2/2023

HB 540 (McNeill) – Prohibiting Early Termination Fees of Leased Vehicles for Medical Reasons

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 146-57)

This bill states that a lessee requesting early termination of a vehicle lease is not liable for any penalty or early termination charge provided by the lease if the lessee’s driving privileges have been recalled for medical reasons.

House Democrats will continue to prioritize easing the burden on Pennsylvania families dealing with medical difficulties.

9/27/2023

HB 1291 (O’Mara) – Increasing Access to Driver’s Licenses and ID Cards for Individuals Living with Disabilities

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 161-41)

This bill would allow for individuals with disabilities to renew their driver’s license or photo ID using the most recent photo and signature in PennDOT’s records.

Travel is difficult or impossible for some individuals living with disabilities, and passage of this bill would eliminate burdensome travel for eligible Pennsylvanians.

7/7/2023

HB 1448 (Bellmon) – Conflict Resolution in Schools

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 102-101)

House Bill 1448 would require public schools to educate students on conflict resolution. This would include topics such as skills of conflict resolution; respect for different cultures, races, and beliefs; effectively managing emotions; and how to resolve differences peacefully.

Schools would work in conjunction with the PA Department of Education to ensure that conflict resolution instruction is age appropriate and is incorporated into an appropriate area of study.

HB 1422 (Ciresi) – Modernizing Our Cyber Charter School Law to Protect Kids and Taxpayers

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 122-81)

In a bipartisan effort, the House passed House 1422, which would reform our cyber charter school law to cap tuition, promote transparency and fiscal responsibility, and ensure cyber charter schools are held to the same rules and regulations as traditional public schools.

Here in the 155th district, this bill (if passed in the Senate and signed by the governor) would save Downingtown Area School District an estimated $948,000 and Coatesville Area School District an estimated $2,799,000 in the 2024-25 fiscal year, in cyber charter tuitions.

HB 1394 (Mayes) – CROWN Act: Ending Hair Type, Hair Texture, and Hairstyle Discrimination

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 182-21)

CROWN: Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair. It is currently legal in Pennsylvania to discriminate against a person in the workplace, school, or even in recreational activities based on how a person wears their natural hair.

I voted yes on the CROWN Act because a person’s natural hair should not be deemed unacceptable, inappropriate, or unprofessional. At its core, the CROWN Act is not just about hair; it is about protecting everyone’s basic and fundamental human rights.

HB 1218 (Cerrato) – Family Caregiver Support

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 109-94)

I was a co-sponsor on this bill that would require the Department of Human Services to submit a waiver application to the federal government allowing for the payment of personal care services provided by the spouse of a Medical Assistance recipient.

This bill would help Pennsylvania meet the growing demand for high-quality, cost-effective care for Pennsylvania’s most vulnerable individuals.

HB 1130 (Green) – Safe Communities Grant Program

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 102-101)

This bill would create a program that provides grant funding to communities to install lighting and security cameras around schools, playgrounds, community centers, and high crime areas.

HB 716 (Kazeem) – Community Service in Lieu of Vehicle Code

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 103-100)

For Pennsylvania’s most vulnerable residents, a traffic fine can be an expensive nightmare. I was a yes vote on House Bill 716 to change this. This legislation would allow for an individual to be given community service for a traffic violation in lieu of a fine, if they can prove to the court that they are financially unable to pay the fine.

7/6/2023

HB 613 (Harris) – Funding for University of Pennsylvania Veterinary School

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 177-26)

This bill contains the funding provision for UPenn’s Veterinary School, the only Veterinary School here in the Commonwealth.

HB 612 (Harris) – Funding for State-Related Universities (Lincoln, Penn State, Pitt, and Temple)

How I voted: Yes (Bill failed 130-73)

House Bill 612 once again failed to gain the two-thirds support of the House chamber required to approve this appropriation, as House Republicans continue to neglect our in-state students and families. I will continue to fight for and vote in support of this crucial funding for our state-related universities, which is used to provide tuition discounts for in-state students.

7/5/2023

HB 611 (Harris) – General Appropriations Act (2023-2024 state budget)

How I voted: Yes (House concurred in Senate amendments 117-86)

This is the main budget bill for the 2023-24 Fiscal Year, appropriating $45.5 billion from the state’s general fund. I voted yes in concurrence with the Senate amendments.

This budget is not perfect. It is missing many of the priorities that are important to me and to our community. But the Democratic-controlled House was at an impasse with the Republican-controlled Senate, and that is the reality that we live with in a divided legislature. You can see my full statement on the budget here.

6/29/2023

HB 1032 (Fiedler) – Solar for Schools

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 134-69)

I co-sponsored and voted in support of this proposal to create the Solar for Schools Grant Program, which would issue grants to school districts, intermediate units, career and technical schools, and community colleges to fund solar energy projects. The passing of this bill in the House is a step towards creating union jobs, saving taxpayer money, protecting our environment, and creating new learning opportunities.

HB 1139 (Kenyatta) – Cybersecurity Coordination Board

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 102-101).

This bill would establish the Cybersecurity Coordination Board to streamline and modernize the Commonwealth’s cybersecurity standards, policies, and procedures.

The Board would be responsible for informing the Governor about cybersecurity issues and initiatives, as well as partnering with government agencies, institutions, and the private sector to promote effective cybersecurity measures to benefits Pennsylvanians.

HB 1216 (Salisbury) – Municipal Grant Assistance Program

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 102-101)

House Bill 1216 would provide municipalities with grant writing training and allow for professional grant writers to connect with municipalities to provide their services through the Department of Community and Economic Development, bringing state grants to our local communities.

Pennsylvania has many grants available to local municipalities, but unfortunately in many cases the municipalities most in need of funding assistance lack the expertise and resources to effectively seek out these grants. I voted Yes to bring more equity and opportunity to the grant application process.

HB 807 (Hanbidge) – Menopause Education

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 106-97)

This bill would prepare women for menopause through partnerships between the Department of Health and medical providers, geared towards educating women on the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause, the biological changes behind the processes, and how to talk to family and friends about the experience.

HB 1296 (A. Brown) – Fitzgerald’s Law – Protecting Our Law Enforcement Officers

How I voted Yes (Bill passed the House 154-49)

House Bill 1296 was penned in honor of fallen Temple University Police Sgt. Chris Fitzgerald. I voted in support of this legislation, as it would ensure law enforcement officers are accompanied by a partner when in a critical crime area, as designated by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General.

6/28/2023

HB 850 (Parker) – Accessibility to Menstrual Hygiene Products

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 131-72)

Under current federal policy, diapers and menstrual hygiene products are not allowable purchases under the SNAP and WIC programs. House Bill 850 would allow for Pennsylvania to apply for a federal waiver permitting SNAP or WIC recipients to use their benefits to purchase diapers or menstrual hygiene products, should the federal government make such a waiver available, expanding access to these essential items.

HB 106 (Mehaffie) – Patient Safety Act

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 119-84)

I co-sponsored and voted in support of House Bill 106, which would institute safe patient limits under the care of individual nurses in Pennsylvania hospitals. My district office staff received an overwhelming amount of support from our constituents for this legislation.

Pennsylvania nurses and their unions have reported that high staff-to-patient ratios have increased staff turnover and made it more difficult to find replacements.

The Patient Safety Act would improve patient monitoring, enhance emergency responsiveness, allow nurses to more time to fully assess and listen to the concerns of their patients, and stabilize the nursing workforce here in Pennsylvania. We now look to the Senate to advance this legislation.

6/27/2023

HB 817 and HB 818 (Giral) – Drug Take Back and Disposal by Pharmacies

How I voted: Yes (Both passed the House 102-101)

These two related bills both passed the House on votes of 102-101 and now await consideration in the Senate. Together, these bills would help to prevent the misuse of opioids and other prescription drugs by expanding access to secure and convenient takeback locations for unused prescription medications.

House Bill 817, passed in the House 102-101, would direct the State Board of Pharmacy to educate pharmacies on drug takeback programs, providing the necessary guidance and logistics plan for these programs to be implemented.

Meanwhile, House Bill 818 would create the Pharmaceutical Collection Sites Educational Program within the Department of State. The program would help pharmacies meet the cost and complete the necessary steps of setting up a takeback location.

HB 1333 (Dawkins) – Allowing Recycled Materials in Stuffed Toys

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 128-75)

This commonsense legislation would enable manufacturers to make stuffed toys with clean, safe recycled materials in Pennsylvania. This aligns Pennsylvania with global stuffed-toy requirements, while also promoting sustainability on behalf of the manufacturers.

This bill was amended in the Senate to add language that protects against the use of child labor in stuffed toy manufacturing. The bill was passed in the Seante, as amended, and concurred with in the House. Governor Shapiro signed it into law on June 28, 2024 as Act 30 of 2024.

6/26/2023

HB 1461 (Harris) – Funding for Lincoln University

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 195-8)

House Bill 1461 contains the standalone funding provision for Lincoln University. I voted in support and was pleased to see Lincoln’s state appropriation, a $3.8 million increase over the 2022-23 fiscal year, pass the House.

HB 612 (Harris) – Funding for State-Related Universities

How I voted: Yes (Bill failed 118-85; required a two-thirds majority)

House Bill 612 is an omnibus bill that includes funding for Pennsylvania’s four state-related universities (Pennsylvania State University, University of Pittsburgh, Temple University, and Lincoln University). As a non-preferred appropriation, this bill required support from two-thirds of the House chamber.

I will continue to vote in support of our universities and our in-state students and families and to push for a final budget that includes full appropriations for every one of these schools.  

HB 1067 (Cepeda-Freytiz) – Educator Certification and Employment for Immigrants in Pennsylvania

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 110-93)

One of my priorities in the House is to curb our ongoing teacher shortage in Pennsylvania. This bill provides for qualifications and certifications of teachers who are not citizens of the United States.

The bill adds language that individuals who hold a valid immigrant visa, work visa, or valid employment authorization document that allows them to work in the United States may have the citizenship requirement waived and are eligible to teach in the public schools of the Commonwealth.

The passage of this bill in the House is one step in helping the Commonwealth address its teacher shortage.

HB 78 (Venkat) – Pennsylvania Medical Debt Repayment Program

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 114-89)

Medical debt is a devastating burden on many residents of the Commonwealth, particularly our most vulnerable low-income families.  

This bill would create the Medical Debt Relief Program to relieve patients of medical debt through an appropriation to the Department of Health, allowing the Department to purchase medical debt from providers and debt collectors. Eligible patients would be those whose income is under 400 percent of the federal poverty level, or whose medical debt is a large portion of their income (five percent).

I co-sponsored and voted in support of this bill, which now goes to the Senate for consideration.

HB 1050 (Boyle) – Maintaining Access to Preventative Healthcare

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 199-4)

In March 2023, a Texas judge struck down part of the Affordable Care Act that gave Americans access to no-cost or low-cost preventative healthcare.

This bill, now in the Senate, would protect Pennsylvanians, regardless of what the federal courts do, by requiring health insurers to cover preventative health care services without cost-sharing.

HB 897 (Kinkead) – A Degree with A Guarantee – Transferring from Community College to PASSHE

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House unanimously)

This bill would guarantee admission of an undergraduate student transferring from a community college to a parallel baccalaureate program at a State-owned or State-related university.  

The guaranteed admission is depended upon the transferring student meeting the mandated admission requirements laid out by the respective State-owned or State-related university. This system would encourage students to remain at in-state institutions and keep their talents here.

6/22/2023

HB 1331 (Otten) – Student Teacher Stipend Program

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 141-62)

In what was a very proud day for our office, the House passed my House Bill 1331 with overwhelming bipartisan support.

This legislation will help to address our teacher shortage by providing up to $15,000 for aspiring teachers during their student teaching semesters as well as a $2,500 stipend for cooperating teachers who agree to mentor student teachers. For aspiring teachers, student teaching is a full-time commitment that often prohibits college students from holding another job during their student-teaching semester. The prospect of giving up that income, while incurring additional expenses associated with things like commuting and purchasing a work wardrobe, is a significant barrier for prospective teachers in Pennsylvania who are already struggling to afford the cost of a college education and working to cover their living expenses.

By providing student teachers with the resources and compensation they deserve, we can eliminate some of the undue financial burdens that prevent many from pursuing a career in this high-demand field. This is an essential step in both addressing our teacher shortage and supporting every aspiring educator in Pennsylvania so they can join the workforce fully prepared to teach upon graduation.

This bill now heads to the Senate for consideration.

SB 262 (Schwank) – Maternal Morbidity

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House unanimously)

This bill, sent to the House by the Senate, would require the Department of Health to report maternal morbidity data. Severe maternal morbidity is a category of health conditions that complicate pregnancy. Accurate and regular tracking of data is essential for the comprehensive research of maternal morbidity in the Commonwealth. This data will be included in the annual Maternal Mortality Review Committee report.

Governor Shapiro signed this bill into law on July 5 as Act 5 of 2023.

6/21/2023

HB 767 (Burgos) – Establishing a Pennsylvania Socially Diverse Farmers Commission

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 102-101)

Not every Pennsylvanian has the same opportunity to help grow and produce our state’s bountiful fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy, and other agricultural goods or otherwise participate in the Commonwealth’s $133 billion agricultural industry. This inequality is perhaps most glaring in the small number of farms with producers of color. Over 99% of Pennsylvania farms have white producers.

I voted yes on House Bill 767, which would create a commission aimed at improving opportunities for socially diverse and historically disadvantaged farmers, and aligns with the priorities shared by myself and my Democratic colleagues to eliminate systems of inequality in our Commonwealth.

HB 580 (Kinsey) – Fresh Food Financing Initiative

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 141-62)

I voted yes to re-establish the Pennsylvania Fresh Food Financing Initiative to provide for more fresh food purchasing options for residents in underserved areas, pending pass in the Senate.

Research suggests that people living near full-service grocery stores tend to have healthier diets, including higher intakes of fruits and vegetables and lower levels of obesity. However, residents in low-income and rural neighborhoods, where grocery stores are scarce, rely more on small corner grocery stores with little stock and no produce. I voted Yes to help eliminate fresh food deserts and provide more fresh food purchasing options to residents in underserved areas.

6/20/2023

HB 1500 (Dawkins) – Increasing the Minimum Wage

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 103-100)

All of Pennsylvania’s six border states have a higher minimum wage than Pennsylvania, ranging from $8.75 in West Virginia to $14.20 in New York. With HB 1500, the House voted to work towards changing that, voting to increase the minimum wage to $11 in 2024, and eventually reach $15 in 2026.

Nine in ten Americans believe the current wage is too low, and more than six in ten believe the wage should be $15. It is now in the hands of the Senate to get this bill, and a long-overdue minimum wage increase for Pennsylvanians, to the Governor’s desk.

HB 1249 (Munroe) – Tax Credit for New Nurses, Teachers, and Police Officers

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 137-66)

Legislators must do our part to ensure Pennsylvania can attract and keep qualified individuals in some of our most vital professions.

Therefore, I voted yes as House Bill 1249 passed the House. This bill would provide a three-year tax credit (up to $2,500 per year) for Pennsylvania residents who are certified and employed as a nurse, teacher, or police officer. The bill is now with the Senate.

HB 967 (Pisciottano) – Protecting the Safety of Hotel Workers

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 108-95)

Hotel housekeepers often face unwanted sexual advances and violence. This is unacceptable — ALL workers deserve a safe workplace. That is why I voted yes on this bill, which would require hotels provide their employees with remote security devices to call for help. Employees would be able to activate the device if there were an ongoing crime, immediate threat of sexual assault/harassment, or any other emergency.

6/14/2023

HB 1305 (Kinsey) – Ensuring a Sustainable 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 113-90)

House Bill 1305 will ensure adequate funding for Pennsylvania’s 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, created in 2022. It is a priority of mine to maintain open lines of communication here in our local communities for individual’s experiencing a mental health crisis. We will be able to fund this lifeline through just a $0.06 surcharge similar to the existing 911 surcharge. This bill would go into effect in 2024, pending consideration and passage in the Senate.

6/13/2023

HB 900 (Cephas) – Dignity for Incarcerated Women

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House unanimously)

This commonsense legislation passed with unanimous bipartisan support. This bill, now in the Senate, includes language that prohibits the shackling of women in labor, allows time for newborns to bond with their mothers, and provides free menstrual and incontinence products to incarcerated women. I voted Yes on the bill and was happy to see it receive unanimous support here in the House.

On December 14, 2023, Governor Shapiro signed the bill into law as Act 47 of 2023.

6/12/2023

HB 1272 (Sappey) – Creating Earned Tax Income Credits in Pennsylvania

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 122-81)

I co-sponsored and voted yes on this legislation to implement a state-level Earned Income Tax Credit for low-income working households. This was a meaningful step towards Pennsylvania joining 31 other states in offering a similar tax credit against state income taxes.

HB 1259 (T. Davis) – Easing the Burden of Childcare Costs

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 141-62)

This bill will build off the childcare tax credit that was passed as part of Pennsylvania’s 2022-23 budget. It provides a stepped increase from 2023-2027. By increasing the credit incrementally by year, we ensure that the credit keeps up with rising costs over time and keeps people at work. This bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.

6/7/2023

HB 849 (Schlossberg) – Time to Fix Pennsylvania’s Broken Mental Healthcare

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 173-30)

I was proud to co-sponsor and vote in support of this bill that would distribute $100 million in one-time federal funding for behavioral health services. This legislation was written following the recommendations of the Behavioral Health Commission for Adult Mental Health, established we have a mental health crisis in our Commonwealth.

6/6/2023

HB 815 (Briggs) – Electronic Filing of Campaign Finance Reports

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 102-101)

I voted yes on House Bill 815 as it passed the House 102-101. This bill will require that all candidates for office and political action committees (PACs) in Pennsylvania utilize the Department of State’s online filing system to electronically file campaign finance reports.

Paper filing of campaign finance reports is outdated, costly, and inefficient. Many candidates and political actions committees already file their reports electronically.  Requiring electronic filing would not only improve government transparency and accountability, but it would also reduce existing costs to the Commonwealth and save taxpayer money.

HB 787 (Pisciottano) – Helping Local Elected Officials Better Serve Their Communities

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 125-78)

I voted yes on House Bill 787, which would allow for boroughs around Pennsylvania to fill their vacant elected positions with individuals who are committed and motivated to work for their respective community.

Currently in Pennsylvania, an employee of a borough cannot run as a candidate for elected office if that borough’s population is greater than 3,000. This proposed bill would raise that number to 5,000.

There are 120 boroughs across Pennsylvania that stand to benefit from this bill.  Many of these boroughs do not have enough candidates running for local elected positions in their municipal government and would benefit from this legislative change. This bill, now in the Senate, also promotes active participation in local government by allowing people to serve in the dual capacity of elected official and employee.

6/5/2023

HB 1100 (Samuelson) – Expansion of Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 194-9)

I co-sponsored and voted yes as the House passed HB 1100. This long overdue bill expands the property tax/rent rebate program to raise the maximum income limit and the maximum rebate amount.

The number of recipients of the PTRR has dropped from about 600,000 individuals to an estimated 398,000 since the program last received an expansion. This bill passed the Senate and was signed into law by the Governor on August 4 as Act 7 of 2023.

5/24/2023

HB 577 (Mullins) – Keystone Saves Retirement Accounts
How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 106-95)

I voted yes on House Bill 577, which would establish the freestanding Keystone Saves Program, Keystone Saves Program Fund, the Keystone Saves Administrative Fund, and the Keystone Saves Program Advisory Board.

A retirement savings program in the form of an automatic payroll deduction IRA within the Treasury Department will provide Pennsylvanians with financially secure retirement savings that will be administered by the department to promote greater retirement savings for covered employees in a convenient and low-cost manner. This bill is currently in the Senate.

HB 1094 (Munroe) – Advance Enrollment

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House unanimously)

I was pleased to vote Yes in support of House Bill 1094, which allows for advance school enrollment for military children.

With current schools’ registration regulations, military children are often disadvantaged due to missed deadlines. Streamlining this process will make things easier for military families and their children. Governor Shapiro signed this bill into law as Act 24 of 2023.

5/22/23

HB 338 (Sanchez) – Reporting Lost or Stolen Firearms

How I voted: Yes (Bill failed 100-101)

House Bill 338 would require gun owners to report lost or stolen firearms within 72 hours of the discovery of the loss or theft. This bill aims to assist law enforcement officers in more accurately tracing how these weapons come to be in illegal hands and hopefully prosecute those who participate in illegal markets, as well as allowing the missing weapon to be returned to their rightful owners when recovered.

I hope this failed voted is not the end of discussion on HB 338, as Democratic leadership has filed a motion for the bill to be reconsidered by the House.

HB 714 (Warren) – Background Checks for Firearms

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 109-92)

I co-sponsored and voted in support of this legislation, which would help to close the gun show loophole. This loophole has allowed for the sale and purchase of rifles, privately or via gun shows, without any background check taking place.

This commonsense legislation would ensure that all firearm sales are subject to a background check and identity verification, regardless of barrel length. This bill is now in the Senate.

HB 1018 (O’Mara) – Extreme Risk Protection Orders

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 102-99)

I co-sponsored and voted yes on this legislation that would institute Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs) throughout the commonwealth. The bill now goes to the Senate.

ERPOs provide a mechanism for loved ones, family members, or law enforcement to ask a Judge to hold a hearing to temporarily disarm someone in crisis. In 2021, more than half of Pennsylvania’s firearm related fatalities were suicides. Through this limited, measured response, data shows we can reduce suicides in Pennsylvania.

5/3/2023

HB 950 (Fiedler) – Right to Organize

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 102-99)

I was proud to vote in support of House Bill 950, which establishes right-to-organize protections by amending Article I in the PA Constitution. Additionally, the bill will prohibit any other laws that may interfere with or diminish collective bargaining rights.

I join my Democratic colleagues in prioritizing the ongoing fight to protect and secure workers’ rights. I look forward to the continued consideration of this bill in the Senate.  

5/2/2023

HB 300 (Kenyatta) - The Fairness Act

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 102-98)

May 2nd, the House passed the Fairness Act, an extension of the PA Human Relations Act that currently prohibits discrimination based on race, religion, disability, age, and other aspects of an individual’s identity. The Fairness Act simply extends the protections guaranteed under this existing state law to include LGBTQ+ Pennsylvanians. The passage of this bill in the House moves us one step closer to achieving equality for all in our great commonwealth.

I am proud to co-sponsor and vote in support of the Fairness Act. Nobody should lose out on a job, apartment, access to education, or any other opportunity because of who they are or whom they love. The passage of the Fairness Act does not in any way infringe on anyone’s right to express or practice religious beliefs; it simply guarantees LGBTQ+ Pennsylvanians the same legal protections as everyone else. The Senate must now do their duty and passage this landmark legislation.

HB 930 (Dawkins) – Expanding Workers’ Compensation for Permanent Disfigurement

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 112-88)

I voted yes on House Bill 930, which would extend existing workers’ compensation eligibility for permanent disfigurement from 275 weeks to 400 weeks and clarify that claimants are not precluded from collecting both total or partial disability benefits and disfigurement benefits simultaneously. 
 
It is now up to the Senate to move this bill to Governor Shapiro’s desk. Pennsylvania needs to support its workforce by ensuring workers are provided workers’ compensation coverage for sustained injuries and disfigurement.

HB 688 (Rozzi) – PA Teach Scholarship Program

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 119-81)

I voted yes as the House passed House Bill 688 and moved the bill to the Senate. This bill would create a scholarship program that would benefit students studying within our state school system to become teachers.

According to a recent Pew Research Center report, the percentage of education graduates has dropped significantly over the past 50 years, from 21 percent of all graduates in 1970-71 to just four percent in 2019-20. While our universities are training fewer teachers, elementary and secondary schools have also been struggling to retain qualified teachers, and new demands on teachers have built on the pressures educators already face at work. It is imperative that Pennsylvania does the work needed to increase education graduates and reinforce the teacher workforce.

5/1/2023

HB 141 (Schlossberg) – Time for Pennsylvania to Grow Our Own Educators

How I voted: Yes (Bill passed the House 120-81).

I co-sponsored and voted in support of House Bill 557, the “Grow Our Own Educators” Program. This program would provide financial assistance, including pathways for educators to help support high-need schools in geographic areas that have hard-to-staff teaching positions. The program would equip aspiring educators with the supports necessary to ultimately become a certified educator.

Recognizing the decline in the number of people seeking a teaching certification in this Commonwealth, and that this Commonwealth has one of the least diverse educator workforces in the country, we need to increase the pipeline of high-quality and diverse future educators. Following passage in the House, the bill now moves to the Senate.

4/26/2023

SB 8 (K. Ward) – Enhanced Insurance Coverage for Life-Saving BRCA Testing and Breast Cancer Screenings

How I voted: Yes (Bill pass the House unanimously)

This historic, landmark bipartisan legislation amends the Insurance Company Law to remove out-of-pocket costs associated with genetic testing for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndromes, as well as supplemental breast screenings for women with a high lifetime risk of breast cancer. It will make vital healthcare more accessible and save lives across Pennsylvania. Governor Shapiro signed this bill into law on May 1 as Act 1 of 2023.  

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