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Roundtable examines importance of direct support professionals

(Apr 11, 2023) Policy Committee, Rep. Tarik Khan

“As we learned today, ensuring our government enables direct support professionals to earn a living wage should be our No. 1 objective in helping these professionals continue to provide the care we know is essential, not only to people with disabilities but also to their community.” Read more

 

Kenyatta, Benham, Burgos and Flick introduce bipartisan ‘Marriage Equality’ bill

(Apr 11, 2023) Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, Rep. Jessica Benham, Rep. Danilo Burgos

Despite a landmark ruling, and same-sex marriage being legal in Pennsylvania, the commonwealth, as well as many other states, retain outdated, unconstitutional and unnecessary sections of law that prohibit marriage equality. Read more

 

Mullins, Gallagher introduce Keystone Saves legislation

(Apr 10, 2023) Rep. Kyle Mullins, Rep. Pat Gallagher

The program, called Keystone Saves, would allow employees to contribute to an Individual Retirement Account through an automatic payroll deduction. Read more

 

A New Way of Governing in the PA State House

(Apr 10, 2023) Rep. Joanna E. McClinton

Our caucus has remained true to our principles. In the first week of our leadership, we passed impactful legislation that would give survivors of child sex abuse a pathway to justice by changing the statute of limitations laws. Read more

 

Conklin reintroduces pre-canvassing legislation

(Apr 10, 2023) Rep. Scott Conklin

“With more and more people voting by mail-in ballot, tabulating ballots and releasing election results is taking county boards of elections much longer,” Conklin said. Read more

 

Burns revives bill to provide in-state tuition for children of deployed military members

(Apr 06, 2023) Rep. Frank Burns

“Military parents can’t control the dynamics of their lives when engaged in serving our nation,” Burns said, “and their children shouldn’t be penalized for them having to answer the call of duty. My bill would make sure they aren’t.” Read more

 

Gergely introduces bill to address staffing needs in food and liquor industries

(Apr 06, 2023) Rep. Matthew R. Gergely

“This added flexibility will not only benefit businesses struggling to hire workers, but also will give employees the opportunity to earn extra income in a post-pandemic world.” Read more

 

McNeill introduces bill to crack down on puppy mills, inhumane conditions

(Apr 05, 2023) Rep. Jeanne McNeill

Under McNeill’s legislation (H.B. 846), known as Victoria’s Law, Pennsylvania’s pet market would be driven toward more humane sources, such as shelters, rescues and responsible breeders. Read more

 

Schweyer: The opportunity is now to deliver for the children of our state

(Apr 04, 2023) Rep. Peter G. Schweyer

While we work toward long-term fixes, we must infuse support into the most at-risk districts to close the gap. This is absolutely a priority for the House Democratic Caucus during this budget season. Read more

 

Pashinski introduces Delayed Payment Plan for burden-free community college

(Apr 03, 2023) Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski

“Student debt continues to overburden Pennsylvania’s higher education students and discourage Pennsylvanians from pursuing a degree that can significantly increase their ability to find a good job,” Pashinski said. Read more

 

State Reps. Kenyatta, Bullock and Burgos introduce legislation to increase state oversight of Temple University

(Apr 03, 2023) Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, Rep. Donna Bullock, Rep. Danilo Burgos

Kenyatta, a Temple alum, said that as a state-related university, Temple enjoys many benefits of state funding each year, and the school should receive more oversight from the state to ensure the safety of students, staff and residents living in the area. Read more

 

Ciresi introduces legislation to support child mental health workforce

(Mar 31, 2023) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

“Pennsylvania’s children need adequate mental health support, but the mental health profession has been depleted by underfunding, provider and staffing shortages, and insufficient programs and access,” Ciresi said. Read more

 

Cephas and Kenyatta bill would protect residents from ‘ghost guns’

(Mar 31, 2023) Rep. Morgan B. Cephas, Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta

“Without necessary regulations of these firearms, individuals ineligible to possess firearms under state and federal law would easily be able to get their hands on these deadly weapons,” Cephas said. Read more

 

Benham, Kenyatta and Smith-Wade-El introduce bill to protect minors from conversion therapy in PA

(Mar 31, 2023) Rep. Jessica Benham, Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta

Approximately 698,000 LGBTQ adults in the United States have reported receiving conversion therapy, including at least 350,000 LGBTQ individuals who received treatment as minors, the representatives said. Read more

 

Boyle to introduce legislation ensuring access to preventative care in PA

(Mar 30, 2023) Rep. Kevin Boyle

“I believe every Pennsylvanian should have access to life-saving preventative health care without having to pay a copay, coinsurance, or deductible,” Boyle said. “Ensuring access to preventative health care just makes sense—preventative care saves lives and money." Read more

 

Freeman bill would provide additional public health insurance option

(Mar 30, 2023) Rep. Robert L. Freeman

"Health insurance rates continue to rise. I believe my proposal would effectively bring health care policies back to an affordable range for the average Pennsylvanian. It also would offer a less costly alternative to the current private health plans available today," Freeman said. Read more

 

Philadelphia House Delegation amplifying tactical pressure on gun safety reforms

(Mar 30, 2023) Philadelphia House Delegation

“Ending gun violence is a top priority for us. We're approaching this with a multi-pronged strategy, working closely with our state and city stakeholders. We cannot wait any longer to take action. Gun violence is preventable,” Cephas said. Read more

 

Hearing House testimony, Warren introduces 3 commonsense gun safety bills

(Mar 30, 2023) Rep. Perry Warren

The committee hearing, called by the new Democratic majority, included testimony relating to the pressing needs for safe-storage, lost-and-stolen, and background-check legislation. Read more

 

Abney introduces bills to help small businesses and streamline criminal justice data collection

(Mar 30, 2023) Rep. Aerion Andrew Abney

“Successful, local businesses help grow our economy and create good jobs everywhere,” Abney said. “A financial jumpstart to help them get established should encourage entrepreneurship." Read more

 

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

(Mar 29, 2023) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

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

 

Roundtable examines importance of direct support professionals
Apr 11, 2023

Kenyatta, Benham, Burgos and Flick introduce bipartisan ‘Marriage Equality’ bill
Apr 11, 2023

Mullins, Gallagher introduce Keystone Saves legislation
Apr 10, 2023

A New Way of Governing in the PA State House
Apr 10, 2023

Conklin reintroduces pre-canvassing legislation
Apr 10, 2023

Burns revives bill to provide in-state tuition for children of deployed military members
Apr 06, 2023

Gergely introduces bill to address staffing needs in food and liquor industries
Apr 06, 2023

McNeill introduces bill to crack down on puppy mills, inhumane conditions
Apr 05, 2023

Schweyer: The opportunity is now to deliver for the children of our state
Apr 04, 2023

Pashinski introduces Delayed Payment Plan for burden-free community college
Apr 03, 2023

State Reps. Kenyatta, Bullock and Burgos introduce legislation to increase state oversight of Temple University
Apr 03, 2023

Ciresi introduces legislation to support child mental health workforce
Mar 31, 2023

Cephas and Kenyatta bill would protect residents from ‘ghost guns’
Mar 31, 2023

Benham, Kenyatta and Smith-Wade-El introduce bill to protect minors from conversion therapy in PA
Mar 31, 2023

Boyle to introduce legislation ensuring access to preventative care in PA
Mar 30, 2023

Freeman bill would provide additional public health insurance option
Mar 30, 2023

Philadelphia House Delegation amplifying tactical pressure on gun safety reforms
Mar 30, 2023

Hearing House testimony, Warren introduces 3 commonsense gun safety bills
Mar 30, 2023

Abney introduces bills to help small businesses and streamline criminal justice data collection
Mar 30, 2023

Fiedler bill to require patient consent for pelvic exams passes Health Committee
Mar 29, 2023