Legislative Update and Upcoming Events

Rep. Leanne Krueger March 18, 2025 | 4:33 PM

PA Representative Leanne Krueger banner image

Dear Neighbor,

I’m back at the Capitol and the House is back in session this week following several weeks of public hearings on Gov. Josh Shapiro’s proposed state budget.

Committees are now meeting to consider legislation that would protect people and strengthen our economy, particularly as we hear increasing concerns from our neighbors about efforts by the Federal government to dismantle programs and protections previously put in place for working families.

Just last week, I got a concerning message from local firefighters alerting me that the Trump Administration closed the National Fire Academy effective March 7. The National Fire Academy trains the future leaders of fire and emergency services, who are essential workers in any community, and all in-person and virtual trainings were cancelled. As we’ve done with every call like this, I immediately escalated it to our Federal officials in Washington DC and encouraged the firefighters to do the same. Congress and the U.S. Senate has the power to push back on program cuts if they choose to use their voices and their votes.

We are working hard to identify ways to protect the people of Pennsylvania. Yesterday, the House Insurance Committee sent to the full House a package of bills that would safeguard health insurance in Pennsylvania in the event the federal government repeals protections of the Affordable Care Act.

- H.B. 404 makes sure parents can keep their children insured until age 26.
- H.B. 535 stops insurance executives from capping coverage for essential benefits (lifetime limits).
- H.B. 618 protects coverage for pre-existing conditions.
- H.B. 755 requires health insurance policies to cover preventive health care services without cost-sharing.

Also yesterday, I voted for legislation that would fight discrimination against families challenged by substance use disorder. For people seeking life insurance, H.B. 111 would prohibit insurance companies from denying, limiting or charging more for life insurance to people who at some point kept naloxone on hand as a life-saving tool.

House Bill 111 is known as Lloyd’s Law, and it’s inspired by the real-life experience of a Delaware County mom. Lloyd’s mom, Sharon, obtained a prescription for the life-saving medication naloxone – a proven opioid reversal agent that has saved thousands of Pennsylvanians from dying of an opioid overdose – in case she needed it to revive her son. Tragically, Lloyd lost his battle with addiction. When Sharon later applied for life insurance for herself, she was denied coverage because she had naloxone in her prescription profile. This discrimination took place because Sharon had accessed a life-saving prescription, not for herself, but for her son. Such adverse actions by insurers discourage friends and family of those suffering with addiction from taking the precaution of obtaining naloxone. House Bill 111 passed the House yesterday with bipartisan support and now heads to the Senate for consideration.

AT THE CAPITOL

Visit with Penn Delco Girl Scouts

The Girl Scouts of Eastern PA Penn Delco Service Unit were at the Capitol on Monday to learn more about their state government. It was a real treat to welcome these engaged and inquisitive future leaders to the House chamber and talk with them about the work I do as a state representative. They were welcomed and recognized by Speaker of the House Joanna McClinton during our voting session.

IN THE DISTRICT

Delco Hi-Q Champions

Congratulations to the Strath Haven High School team from Wallingford-Swarthmore School District on their win at Delco Hi-Q Championships last Wednesday! Delco Hi-Q is the oldest continuous academic quiz competition in the United States.

Strath Haven was awarded points when the team won an appeal on a question leading to a tie between them and Marple Newtown, with a final score of 50 points for both teams. In two exciting tie breaker rounds, Strath Haven won with a final tie breaking score of 5-6!

I have visited a number of Delco Hi-Q matches this year to cheer on our local teams and I am always so impressed by the skill, enthusiasm and sportsmanship of our students.

Valley Forge Educational Services Visit

I also visited Valley Forge Educational Services, which aims to serve and meet the unique needs of students with disabilities, ages 6-22, with special education (K-12) and vocational services offered by The Vanguard School. VFES also serves adults with special needs through Adult & Recreation Services and Customized Workforce Solutions. I was glad to see firsthand how their specialized programs support students and adults with disabilities in our community.

STATE PROGRAMS AND INFORMATION

Bid on unclaimed property during Treasury’s online auction

The PA Treasury is holding its next unclaimed property auction on March 26 and 27. More than 5,500 items will be available for online bidders. Anyone interested in bidding can visit Treasury’s auctioneer partner Pook & Pook Inc.’s website, pookandpook.com, to register.

Any item sold at auction is carefully documented by Treasury. Net proceeds remain with Treasury until a rightful owner comes forward to claim the property – no matter how much time passes.

Unclaimed tangible property, like the items being auctioned, comes to Treasury most often from forgotten safe deposit boxes. Treasury works to find the rightful owner for at least three years before auctioning an item. Treasury holds auctions twice a year to make room for incoming property in Treasury’s vault – the largest working vault in the country.

Treasury is working to return more than $4.5 billion in unclaimed property that is owed to more than 1 in 10 Pennsylvanians. The average value of a claim is about $1,600. This money can belong to individuals, businesses, nonprofits, local government entities and other organizations.

Anyone can search for unclaimed property online at patreasury.gov/unclaimed-property. My office is also always happy to help you search for and claim unclaimed property.

UPCOMING MOBILE OFFICE HOURS

I offer mobile office hours at multiple locations throughout the district to ensure that everyone I represent has access to the services my office provides. We look forward to seeing you at the location that is most convenient for you.

Vauclain Fire Company on Thursday, March 20

UPCOMING EVENTS

Community Blood Drive on Thursday, March 20
9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Brookhaven Municipal Center
2 Cambridge Road, Brookhaven
Schedule your blood donation here.

Property Tax/ Rent Rebate Event on Thursday, March 27

12 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Village Green Mobile Home Community

1000 Park Ave., Aston, 19014

Medigap Webinar on Wednesday, April 23

10 a.m. to 11 a.m. online

This webinar will focus on supplemental Medicare plans, also known as Medigap. Call my office at 610-534-6880 or email RepKrueger@pahouse.net to get the webinar link.

License Plate Replacement Event on Thursday, May 1
4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Gouley Park
101 Plush Mill Road, Media

Is your license plate hard to read, damaged or peeling? Don’t get fined for driving with an illegible plate! Local law enforcement will be at this event to determine if your plate needs to be replaced.

Drivers must bring an unexpired Pennsylvania driver’s license and current vehicle registration card. New plates are not issued at this event. Once your paperwork is processed, I will drive it back from Harrisburg and my office will call you to pick up your new plate. Registration is required. Call my office at 610-534-6880 or email RepKrueger@pahouse.net to register.