State lawmakers roll out legislation to facilitate safe abortion access

(Jan 22, 2024)

HARRISBURG, Jan. 22 – Today, on the 51st anniversary of the Supreme Court’s landmark decision in Roe v. Wade , state Rep. Tarik Khan, D-Philadelphia, hosted a news conference at the state Capitol announcing the introduction of legislation regarding abortion rights. Rep. Khan was joined by fellow legislators and abortion-rights advocates. The legislation aims to remove unnecessary obstacles to safe abortion access by eliminating the requirement that abortion facilities meet the same regulations as ambulatory surgical centers. It would also remove the excessive mandate that abortion providers maintain admitting privileges or have transfer agreements at hospitals, which only blocks access to care. The legislators who have also prime-sponsored Khan’s bill are state Reps. La'Tasha D. Mayes, D-Allegheny; Mary Jo Daley, D-Montgomery; Mary Issacson, D-Phila.; Gina H. Curry, D-Delaware; Melissa Shusterman, D-Chester; Danielle Friel Otten, D-Chester; Tara Probst, D-Monroe/Pike; Heather Boyd, D-Delaware; Liz Hanbidge, D-Montgomery; Leanne Krueger, D-Delaware; and Elizabeth Fiedler, D-Philadelphia. "As a nurse, I know that restrictive abortion laws do not lower abortion rates — they just make them less safe," Khan said. "We must remove any unnecessary requirements from facilities that provide this care. Our bill increases access to safe abortion by increasing people's access to safe abortion Read more

 

The need to reform education funding in Pennsylvania

(Jan 19, 2024)

As a reminder, while the U.S. Constitution contains no explicit right to education, in the Pennsylvania Constitution, the Education Clause, article III, section 14, requires the General Assembly "provide for the maintenance and support of a thorough and efficient system of public education to serve the needs of the Commonwealth" so that all Pennsylvania students can have a meaningful opportunity to succeed academically, socially, and civically. Read more

 

Hanbidge, Collett announce $225,000 grant benefiting local waterway

(Jan 16, 2024)

“Grants like this help safeguard local water quality and maintain adequate stormwater management measures,” Hanbidge said. Read more

 

Time to #RaiseTheWage in Pennsylvania

(Jan 12, 2024)

With the start of the new year, many states surrounding us ushered in new minimum wage rates while Pennsylvania’s workers started 2024 the same way they started 2023 – tied for dead last in America. Read more

 

Upcoming special election for North Penn School District

(Jan 05, 2024)

On Jan. 16, voters residing in the North Penn School District (NPSD) will have the opportunity to have their voices heard on a referendum regarding construction updates to the High School. Read more

 

Protecting the elderly and celebrating giving pass House

(Dec 22, 2023)

A bill I worked on with Rep. Paul Schemel (R-Franklin) to protect older Pennsylvanians passed the House unanimously. HB 1760 seeks to update the commonwealth’s 51-year-old Slayer Statute. Read more

 

Hanbidge announces $1.6 million in state funding for infrastructure projects

(Dec 20, 2023)

NEWS RELEASE State Rep. Liz Hanbidge D-Montgomery RepHanbidge.com FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Hanbidge announces $1.6 million in state funding for infrastructure projects HARRISBURG, Dec. 20 – State Rep. Liz Hanbidge announced that she has helped secure funding of nearly $1.6 million through the Commonwealth Financing Authority for four water and sewer projects in her district. “Water and sewer projects help us maintain our environment, mitigate flood damage and boost our local economy,” Hanbidge said. “I am pleased to see these worthy projects get funded.” Under the H2O PA program, the North Wales Water Authority was awarded $500,000 to replace a water main between Broad Street and Valley Forge Road in Upper Gwynedd Township. The North Wales Water Authority also was awarded $423,895 through the PA Small Water and Sewer grant program for manhole inflow and infiltration abatement in North Wales Borough. Also, under the Small Water and Sewer grant, Lower Gwynedd Township receives $248,756 for a sewer upgrade and extension project and Upper Gwynedd Township will receive $421,231 for a storm sewer renovation project. The H2O Grant program provides single-year and multi-year grants for the construction of drinking water, sanitary Read more

 

Issues facing America's childcare systems

(Dec 15, 2023)

Last week, I travelled to Raleigh, North Carolina to attend the Council of State Governments national convention. The Council of State Governments (CSG) is the nation’s only organization serving all three branches of state government. Read more

 

Hanbidge and Schemel legislation to protect seniors passes the House

(Dec 13, 2023)

“House Bill 1760 will help ensure a future where the rights of Pennsylvania elders are safeguarded, and wrongdoers are prevented from benefiting from abusing seniors. Rep. Schemel and I hope that our bill can serve to protect those who deserve dignity in their twilight years," Hanbidge said. Read more

 

House committee to consider Reproductive Rights Amendment

(Dec 13, 2023)

The Otten and Hanbidge bill proposes an amendment to the Pennsylvania Constitution that would reaffirm and protect every individual’s right of reproductive liberty with respect to personal, sexual, and reproductive healthcare decisions, including the right to choose or refuse an abortion, the right to choose or refuse contraceptives, and the right to choose or refuse fertility care, without discrimination on the basis of race, sex, religion, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, or relationship status. Read more

 

Voting to abolish the death penalty in Pennsylvania

(Dec 08, 2023)

I believe a legislative “sweet spot” exists when doing the best thing and doing the right thing align. Read more

 

House committee will consider legislative package to amend Act 12 requirements for sale of water & wastewater systems

(Dec 07, 2023)

Members of the House Democratic Caucus will hear testimony about their bill package to reform Act 12 of 2016 at a public hearing of the House Consumer Protection, Technology & Utilities Committee at 10 a.m. on Dec. 12 in the state Capitol building. Read more

 

What happened in Harrisburg last week

(Dec 01, 2023)

This week, I’m writing with legislative updates from our last session week. We passed some highly impactful bills which I was proud to co-sponsor. Read more

 

Fiedler, Hanbidge celebrate signing of Pelvic Exam Consent bill

(Nov 27, 2023)

HARRISBURG, Nov. 27 – Today, state Reps. Elizabeth Fiedler , D-Phila., and Liz Hanbidge , D-Montgomery, joined Gov. Josh Shapiro for the ceremonial signing of H.B. 507 , which requires medical facilities in Pennsylvania to obtain consent before performing pelvic, prostate or rectal exams on anesthetized patients. The bill was officially signed into law on Nov. 21 by Shapiro as Act 31 of 2023. "Patients in Pennsylvania will finally have the right to make decisions about exams performed on their bodies while under anesthesia. This legislation ensures informed consent for invasive pelvic and rectal exams, at last giving patients the decision-making power that we all deserve about our own bodies,” Fiedler said. “I’m grateful to my colleague, Representative Hanbidge, for her work on this bill, and I thank Governor Shapiro for signing it into law.” “Performing a pelvic, rectal or prostate exam unknowingly on an anesthetized patient isn’t only invasive, but it’s also a breach of trust. Our legislation abolishes this archaic practice, thereby strengthening the trust that Pennsylvanians have in medical professionals, protecting bodily autonomy and highlighting the importance of consent,” Hanbidge said. “Patients expecting to go under anesthesia should never have to worry about being objectified for ‘learning purposes,’ and now thanks to my co-sponsor Representative Fiedler, Read more

 

Thankful to represent the 61st Legislative District

(Nov 22, 2023)

I would like to wish you and your loved ones a happy, healthy, and safe Thanksgiving! Next week, December will be here. Read more

 

No pelvic exams without consent legislation headed to the governor

(Nov 17, 2023)

I am also pleased to share that state Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler’s and my H.B. 507, that would prohibit physicians and medical students from conducting pelvic, prostate or rectal exams on unconscious patients for training purposes in the absence of an emergency, passed the state Senate unanimously. Read more

 

Fiedler, Hanbidge pelvic exam bill headed to governor’s desk

(Nov 15, 2023)

HARRISBURG, Nov. 15 – The PA House today passed legislation (H.B. 507) that requires medical facilities in Pennsylvania to obtain consent before performing pelvic, prostate or rectal exams on anesthetized patients. The legislation, introduced by state Reps. Elizabeth Fiedler, D-Phila., and Liz Hanbidge, D-Montgomery, now goes to Gov. Josh Shapiro for his signature. In Pennsylvania, medical students are currently permitted to perform these invasive exams on unconscious patients for training purposes. The legislators said this unethical practice undermines patient-doctor relationships, which require a foundation of trust, respect and transparency. “This year, we’ve seen millions of women and people across the country stand up for reproductive freedom and bodily autonomy,” said Fiedler. “It’s never been more important to empower patients to make decisions about their own bodies and lives. I am elated to see this bill pass, and I look forward to Governor Shapiro signing it into law.” “When patients arrive at the hospital for surgeries or treatments that require anesthesia, they are understandably worried or anxious about the outcome of their procedure, rarely thinking that an unrelated internal and intimate exam by a medical student might be part of the process,” Hanbidge said. “House Bill 507 puts the power back in the hands of the patient, giving them the final say in the care Read more

 

Combatting hate crimes in our commonwealth

(Nov 11, 2023)

No one should be the victim of racism, xenophobia, religious intolerance, gender inequality, discrimination or hate in our commonwealth. Last week, the House took affirmative steps to combat the impact of hate crimes in our commonwealth, passing three bills to stop hate crimes in Pennsylvania. Read more

 

Progress on my No Pelvic Exams Without Consent Bill

(Oct 27, 2023)

I am pleased to report that Rep. Liz Fiedler’s and my legislation (H.B. 507) was included in one of the first sets of House bills to be voted on by the Senate. Read more

 

Exploring hardships large animal veterinarians face

(Oct 20, 2023)

There is a crisis level shortage of large animal veterinarians in America. Read more