Legislation benefiting veterans, seniors, families, and more

(Jun 16, 2023)

This week continues the trend of very busy session days while we await further iterations of the budget. Read more

 

June brings about House legislative action: Budget bill, property tax relief, Clean Slate 3.0

(Jun 09, 2023)

I am happy to share that the House passed some incredibly meaningful pieces of legislation impacting a vast number of citizens of the commonwealth this week. June is the month that we pass the budget, and since we are in Harrisburg much of the month, there’s usually a fair amount of movement on bills and on our priorities. Read more

 

Good Governance begins with Thorough & Thoughtful Legislation

(Jun 02, 2023)

Good Governance begins with Thorough & Thoughtful Legislation Read more

 

Firearm-related injuries are the leading cause of death among U.S. children

(May 26, 2023)

Firearm-related injuries are the leading cause of death among U.S. children Read more

 

Affordable Access to High-Quality Childcare

(May 22, 2023)

Affordable Access to High-Quality Childcare Read more

 

Addressing the Need for Educators

(May 05, 2023)

Addressing the Need for Educators Read more

 

Governing in the Majority

(Apr 28, 2023)

Governing in the Majority Read more

 

Fiedler, Hanbidge ‘Patient Consent for Pelvic Exams’ bill passes House

(Apr 26, 2023)

HARRISBURG, April 26 – Today, House Bill 507 introduced by state Reps. Elizabeth Fiedler, D-Phila., and Liz Hanbidge, D-Montgomery, passed the Pennsylvania House unanimously. The legislation would require medical providers to receive explicit consent from a patient before performing an invasive pelvic or rectal exam on an unconscious patient for medical training purposes. Right now in Pennsylvania, medical students can legally perform a pelvic or rectal exam on a patient who is under anesthesia for an unrelated procedure. The invasive exam is done solely for medical students’ training purposes and not to ensure the health of the patient. The patient often is entirely unaware of what is being done to her/his body while are under anesthesia. Fiedler first learned about the practice from a constituent who was disturbed to learn that when she was a patient, a pelvic exam might have been conducted on her. Fiedler shared how her constituent’s experience inspired her to learn more about this practice and ultimately introduce this bill. She also expressed her joy to see this bill pass the House and called on the Senate to get it to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s desk. “The more I researched the situation, the more horrified I was,” Fiedler said. “Making sure we have highly trained medical professionals is incredibly important, and at the same time, patients should be asked for their consent ahead of time. This Read more

 

The Future of Medicine is in our Back Yard

(Apr 21, 2023)

The Future of Medicine is in our Back Yard Read more

 

Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee visits Rodale Institute

(Apr 14, 2023)

Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee visits Rodale Institute Read more

 

First bills, including mine, report out from newly led House Committees

(Mar 31, 2023)

I am so pleased to share that some of the first bills to move through the committee process this session are bills I’ve either sponsored or co-sponsored. Read more

 

Fiedler bill to require patient consent for pelvic exams passes Health Committee

(Mar 29, 2023)

HARRISBURG, March 29 – Today, a bill introduced by state Reps. Elizabeth Fiedler, D-Phila., and Liz Hanbidge, D-Montgomery, to require patient consent for pelvic exams passed in the Health Committee. Right now, medical students can perform a pelvic exam on a female patient who is under anesthesia for an unrelated procedure. The pelvic exam is done solely for medical students’ training purposes and not to ensure the health of the patient. The patient often has not given explicit consent and is entirely unaware of what is being done to her body while under anesthesia. This bill, H.B. 507, will now head to the house floor for a vote. Fiedler first learned about the practice from a constituent who believed a practice pelvic exam might have been conducted on her while she was under anesthesia. Fiedler shared how her constituent’s experience inspired her to learn more about this practice and ultimately introduce this bill. “A couple of years ago, a resident of my district came to me concerned about what happened to her while she was a patient for a medical procedure, under anesthesia,” Fiedler said. “She worried that while she was unconscious, her body had been used for a practice pelvic exam. A year later she still didn't have answers, despite asking her doctor directly. “The more I researched the situation, the more horrified I was. I learned that, in our commonwealth, Read more

 

The Children of Sorrow Seek Change- Addressing Gun Violence

(Mar 24, 2023)

The Children of Sorrow Seek Change- Addressing Gun Violence Read more

 

Budget Address

(Mar 17, 2023)

Budget Address Read more

 

Hanbidge commends over $1.5 million in grant awards to enhance infrastructure in Montgomery County

(Mar 16, 2023)

HARRISBURG, March 16 – State Rep. Liz Hanbidge, D-Montgomery, today announced the awarding of over $1.5 million in grant funding to Lower Gwynedd and Upper Gwynedd townships to enhance flood control measures, assist with a bridge replacement project, and construct a bus shelter. The funding was made available through the Commonwealth Financing Authority and will be used to cover the costs of constructing a bus shelter at the intersection of DeKalb and Sumneytown pikes, as well as assisting with the costs of a bridge replacement project in Lower Gwynedd Township. Additionally, funding was secured to strengthen flood control and streambank stabilization measures along Haines Run in Upper Gwynedd Township. “Bolstering our infrastructure through comprehensive, strategic investments will put Montgomery County on the pathway of successful sustainability for generations to come,” Hanbidge said. “These grant dollars invest in the collective vision of all residents of Montgomery County, and I commend the efforts of those who support investing in our shared community space.” Upper Gwynedd Township Board President, Denise Hull, welcomed the influx of funding. "The Upper Gwynedd Township Board of Commissioners are thrilled to learn that we have been awarded a $520,000 grant for our Haines Run Stream Bank Restroation Project," Hull said. "This funding to improve the streambank behind our Wastewater Read more

 

Discussion of House Rules

(Mar 10, 2023)

Discussion of House Rules Read more

 

341 Years

(Mar 03, 2023)

341 Years Read more

 

Special Session Update

(Feb 24, 2023)

Special Session Update Read more

 

Hanbidge congratulates Wissahickon Valley Public Library for $182,622 state grant

(Feb 24, 2023)

HARRISBURG, Feb. 24 – State Rep. Liz Hanbidge said she congratulates Wissahickon Valley Public Library on its competitive award of $182,622 today from the state’s Keystone Grants for Public Library Facilities program. The state Department of Education grants are for the construction and rehabilitation of public library facilities across the commonwealth. Wissahickon Valley Public Library was one of 21 libraries in 15 counties to receive an award. “Wissahickon Valley Public Library benefits the public with its excellent services, so it’s fitting that it earns such a substantial and helpful award,” Hanbidge said. “This grant will go to good use expanding the library’s catalog of services and it saves local taxes. It’s always wonderful to see state money reinvested in our community.” The Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund was established by the General Assembly in 1993. The Department of Education, through the Office of Commonwealth Libraries, Bureau of Library Development, administers the public library portion of this program, which is funded from a portion of the state’s realty transfer tax. Read more

 

Crafting House Rules that Avoid Gridlock

(Feb 17, 2023)

Crafting House Rules that Avoid Gridlock Read more