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Ciresi’s legislation to prevent gift card scams reported out of committee

(May 08, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, May 8 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi’s (D-Montgomery), legislation (H.B. 1067) that would help people avoid falling victim to gift card scams was reported out of the Commerce Committee this week. According to Ciresi, gift cards have become an increasingly widespread way for scammers to defraud Pennsylvanians. Gift cards are easy to purchase, almost impossible to track and allow fraudsters to quickly move money on them, making them a popular payment method demanded by scammers. Sometimes fraudsters claim to be associated with government agencies, legitimate businesses, or even victims’ families, creating a sense of urgency to get their victims to buy gift cards as payment. “In 2023, the Federal Trade Commission reported that victims lost $217 million due to gift card fraud last year, and reports of gift card fraud to the Better Business Bureau (BBB) Scam Tracker increased by 50% that same year,” Ciresi said “My office has been contacted by constituents who’ve lost thousands as a result of these scams, and there’s a need to do more to prevent them.” Introduced in a previous session as H.B. 2186, this legislation would require retailers selling gift cards to post clear signage warning consumers about gift card scams where gift cards are displayed and at the point of sale, and to ask for photo identification for gift card purchases. Retailers would also be required to train their employees on how to identify and Read more

 

House passes landmark cannabis bill, moving Pennsylvania closer to safe, equitable legalization

(May 07, 2025) Rep. Rick Krajewski and Rep. Dan Frankel

"For far too long, cannabis prohibition was used as a weapon against Black and brown communities. Today, we took a major step toward a meaningful repair and durable justice," state Rep. Rick Krajewski said. "This bill is about building a legal marketplace that puts working Pennsylvanians first, delivering hundreds of millions to the neighborhoods most devastated by criminalization and preventing a harmful corporate takeover of the market." Read more

 

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities

(May 07, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

Here are the latest grant opportunities that are open for applications. Read more

 

Philadelphia House Delegation celebrates Super Bowl LIX Champion Philadelphia Eagles in the PA House

(May 07, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

Today, the PA House of Representatives recognized the Super Bowl LIX Champion Philadelphia Eagles in the House chamber. House Resolution 217, sponsored by Philadelphia House Delegation Chairwoman Morgan Cephas, D-Phila., recognizes May 7, 2025, as Philadelphia Eagles Day at the state Capitol, honoring the team’s second Super Bowl victory and fifth NFL Championship in the 92-year history of the organization. Read more

 

House passes Cephas measure to protect homeowners from unfair realty agreements

(May 07, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

Today, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed legislation sponsored by state Rep. Morgan Cephas, D-Phila., that would protect Pennsylvania homeowners from signing away their home and generational wealth to unscrupulous realty agents. Read more

 

Ciresi bill to require clear signage for land development projects reported out of committee

(May 07, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, May 7 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi’s legislation (H.B. 375) to create signage requirements for proposed subdivision and land development projects was reported out of the House Local Government Committee today with overwhelming bipartisan support, 25-1. Read more

 

House adopts Matzie’s ‘National Train Day’ resolution

(May 07, 2025) Rep. Robert F. Matzie

HARRISBURG, May 7 – The Pennsylvania House today adopted state Rep. Rob Matzie’s resolution recognizing the importance of railroads and their impact on the commonwealth’s history. Matzie, who is chairman of the House Majority Caucus, said he introduced H.R. 187 – recognizing May 10, 2025, as “National Train Day” in Pennsylvania – as a reminder of how railroads transformed the commonwealth’s landscape physically, economically and socially. “From the mid-1800s on, the rail industry played a huge role in powering our economic growth and shaping our landscape,” Matzie said. “Once businesses were freed from having to rely on water-based shipping, they began locating all over the state, and towns and urban centers began growing up around them. “At the same time, the rail industry’s demand for materials and fuel boosted our steel and coal industries, and with new trains carrying our steel, iron and coal throughout the state and beyond, we grew into an industrial powerhouse.” Matzie said that today, trains also play a key role in easing congestion on our roads, linking cities and rural communities and providing a means of mass transportation that is more environmentally friendly than air travel or gas-powered cars. National Train Day was first established in 2008 and is celebrated annually on the Read more

 

Pielli bill to help seniors stay in their homes approved by House

(May 07, 2025) Rep. Chris Pielli

“As a former court-appointed guardianship attorney, I saw clients who lost their homes as a result of unpaid property taxes,” Pielli said. “Too often, these were individuals with cognitive impairment or those who were otherwise incapacitated and could not pay tax bills without assistance. Read more

 

Rivera bill to promote recovery-oriented language passes House

(May 06, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, May 6 -- State Rep. Nikki Rivera’s bill that would update Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Program statutory language with recovery-oriented terminology passed the House today with overwhelming bipartisan support, 201-2. “Words matter. Too many people suffering from substance use disorders don’t seek the help they need due to stigmatizing language surrounding the condition,” Rivera said. “Though positive, recovery-oriented programs in treatment and prevention are the standard, DDAP’s archaic and negative statutory language is perpetuating negative stereotypes about substance abuse. The department should be leading the way in discussing substance abuse in today’s evidence-based and recovery-focused terms. Substance use is a treatable disease and should be discussed as such to promote treatment. “As DDAP plays a central role in the commonwealth’s response to the substance use crisis, I’ve worked with the agency to introduce this legislation that updates the language defining the department’s duties with recovery-oriented language that promotes dignity, respect, and greater access to care and substance abuse disorders as chronic but treatable conditions. “The commonwealth needs to model the supportive approach to treating substance abuse disorders so that families and communities can provide the necessary support to those struggling with substance abuse,” Rivera said. Read more

 

Inglis bill for veteran-owned business logo clears PA House

(May 06, 2025) Rep. John Inglis

Legislation creating state logo to identify veteran-owned businesses advances Read more

 

House passes Sappey’s Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit bill

(May 06, 2025) Rep. Christina Sappey

“A state credit that mirrors the federal credit is a smart investment in our workforce and our economy,” Sappey said. “For every dollar spent on a state EITC, Pennsylvania would receive four dollars back in economic growth and save three dollars on social spending.” Read more

 

House passes Ciresi bill to expand EV charging infrastructure in PA

(May 06, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, May 6 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi’s legislation ( H.B. 789 ) that would help create more EV charging stations throughout Pennsylvania, at no cost to the Pennsylvania taxpayer, passed the House today. “Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming increasingly common each year, with over three-million electric vehicles on the road nationwide in 2023 and projections anticipating that electric vehicles could account for a majority of total passenger car sales by the 2030s,” said Ciresi, D-Montgomery. “As this trend continues, businesses are increasingly looking to provide access to EV charging at their locations, as a way of attracting customers or as a benefit to their employees. My legislation would connect the growing demand for electric vehicle charging infrastructure with a successful funding mechanism that is funded through private capital.” Introduced in a previous session as H.B. 1474 , which had previously passed in the House, the legislation would add electric vehicle charging infrastructure projects as an eligible project type under Pennsylvania’s Property-Assessed Clean Energy Program (C-PACE). C-PACE, which was created by Act 30 of 2018 , has facilitated more than $250 million in investments in energy efficiency, clean energy, conservation, and other projects by connecting property owners with long-term financing. The investments are funded entirely through private capital, so it would not impose any financial burden Read more

 

Hanbidge and Briggs legislation streamlining child custody determination factors passes House

(May 06, 2025) Rep. Liz Hanbidge

Legislation introduced by state Reps. Liz Hanbidge and Tim Briggs, both D-Montgomery, to clarify Pennsylvania’s overly complex child custody process passed the House today. Read more

 

Powell bill to provide UC benefits during school breaks to education support professionals passes House

(May 06, 2025) Rep. Lindsay Powell

Powell’s legislation would make it possible for clerical workers, bus drivers, janitors, lunch staff, security and related positions employed by the school district to apply for unemployment compensation during an extended break between school terms. Currently, these staff members are forced to rely on temporary positions over the longer breaks to pay bills and feed their families. Read more

 

Pielli’s bill to protect children unanimously approved by PA House

(May 06, 2025) Rep. Chris Pielli

“We tell our children not to trust strangers. We tell our children what they should do when a stranger approaches them. But we also tell our children that you CAN trust your teacher. You CAN trust a police officer,” Pielli said. “How can we allow adults who break that sacred trust to then benefit from institutional leniencies they do not deserve? This legislation, as amended, allowing for sentencing enhancements for a perpetrator in a position of authority, is a step in the right direction.” Read more

 

PA House passes groundbreaking legislation to eliminate paper statement fees

(May 06, 2025) Rep. Arvind Venkat, Rep. Robert F. Matzie

HARRISBURG, May 6 – The PA House today passed bipartisan consumer protection legislation introduced by state Rep. Arvind Venkat along with state Reps. Rob Matzie and Tom Mehaffie that would prohibit businesses from charging additional fees for providing paper account statements. Venkat, D-Allegheny, said the measure would shield lower-income people, older adults and others with limited access to digital technology from unnecessary and often hidden financial burdens. House Bill 81 would classify paper statement fees as an unfair or deceptive practice. While businesses could still encourage digital options through incentives, they would be forbidden from charging consumers more when they prefer paper copies of their account statements. “Far too many Pennsylvanians – especially seniors, those on fixed incomes, and people without reliable internet – rely on paper statements to manage their finances,” said Venkat, the prime sponsor of the bill. “Charging a fee just to access basic account information and manage one’s finances is an unnecessary expense for consumers. This legislation puts an end to that.” Financial institutions sometimes charge between 50 cents and $5 per month for paper statements – fees that can add up to $60 annually per account. These charges disproportionately impact consumers least able to afford them. “This is about fairness,” said Read more

 

Abney bill to help access to mental health services advances

(May 06, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, May 6 – State Rep. Aerion A. Abney announced today his legislation to improve access to mental health services and modernize professional licensing for social workers, has been unanimously approved by the House Professional Licensure Committee. The bill now advances to the full House of Representatives for further consideration. House Bill 554 would authorize Pennsylvania to join the Social Work Licensure Compact, an interstate agreement that allows licensed social workers to practice across state lines with greater ease. This compact would reduce administrative burdens for qualified professionals and increase the availability of critical mental health services, particularly in rural and underserved areas of the Commonwealth. “As the only degree-holding social worker serving in the Pennsylvania legislature, I understand firsthand the challenges facing both providers and the people who rely on mental health services,” Abney said. “This bill is a practical, bipartisan solution that will strengthen our workforce, expand care options for Pennsylvanians, and bring us one step closer to meeting the growing demand for mental health support across our state.” In addition to improving access to care, the legislation is expected to have a positive economic impact by reducing barriers to employment for social workers and making Pennsylvania a more attractive place for qualified professionals to live and Read more

 

House Judiciary Committee approves legislation to help survivors of childhood sexual abuse

(May 06, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, May 6 – State Rep. Tim Briggs, Majority, chair of the House Judiciary Committee, announced that today the committee voted to approve critical legislation introduced by state Rep. Nathan Davidson that would open a long-awaited path to justice for survivors of childhood sexual abuse. “These bills are about fairness, healing and restoring the rights of people who were silenced for far too long,” Briggs said. “We owe survivors the chance to be heard in a court of law, no matter how much time has passed.” The committee’s action followed a productive hearing held on Monday, where advocates and legal experts offered powerful testimony in support of the legislation. Their voices helped reinforce the urgent need for these long-overdue reforms. Both bills now advance to the full House for further consideration. H.B. 462 : This legislation would provide a statutory two-year window during which survivors of childhood sexual abuse could file previously time-barred civil claims. It also would waive sovereign and governmental immunity retroactively, allowing survivors to pursue justice against state and local agencies. H.B. 464 : This joint resolution would amend the Pennsylvania Constitution to establish a two-year window for survivors to bring forward civil claims that were previously blocked due to expired statutes of limitations. These proposals follow Read more

 

Rabb introduces bipartisan bill to tackle deed fraud

(May 06, 2025) Rep. Christopher M. Rabb

Legislation to establish new criminal offense protecting Pennsylvania homeowners Read more

 

Shusterman’s Equal Pay Bill approved by House

(May 05, 2025) Rep. Melissa Shusterman

“To attract and keep our workforce, Pennsylvania must ensure we are competitive with our neighbors,” Shusterman said. “Currently, the pay gap in the Commonwealth trails not only behind the national average, but also behind five of our six neighboring states. The pay gap leads to less income for women to support their families. It also means women experience higher rates of poverty, lower financial earnings over a lifetime, and less money saved for retirement than their male colleagues. It’s past time that our Commonwealth ensures all Pennsylvania workers receive equal pay for equal work.” Read more

 

Ciresi’s legislation to prevent gift card scams reported out of committee
May 08, 2025

House passes landmark cannabis bill, moving Pennsylvania closer to safe, equitable legalization
May 07, 2025

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities
May 07, 2025

Philadelphia House Delegation celebrates Super Bowl LIX Champion Philadelphia Eagles in the PA House
May 07, 2025

House passes Cephas measure to protect homeowners from unfair realty agreements
May 07, 2025

Ciresi bill to require clear signage for land development projects reported out of committee
May 07, 2025

House adopts Matzie’s ‘National Train Day’ resolution
May 07, 2025

Pielli bill to help seniors stay in their homes approved by House
May 07, 2025

Rivera bill to promote recovery-oriented language passes House
May 06, 2025

Inglis bill for veteran-owned business logo clears PA House
May 06, 2025

House passes Sappey’s Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit bill
May 06, 2025

House passes Ciresi bill to expand EV charging infrastructure in PA
May 06, 2025

Hanbidge and Briggs legislation streamlining child custody determination factors passes House
May 06, 2025

Powell bill to provide UC benefits during school breaks to education support professionals passes House
May 06, 2025

Pielli’s bill to protect children unanimously approved by PA House
May 06, 2025

PA House passes groundbreaking legislation to eliminate paper statement fees
May 06, 2025

Abney bill to help access to mental health services advances
May 06, 2025

House Judiciary Committee approves legislation to help survivors of childhood sexual abuse
May 06, 2025

Rabb introduces bipartisan bill to tackle deed fraud
May 06, 2025

Shusterman’s Equal Pay Bill approved by House
May 05, 2025