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Committee advances Conklin bill to expand access to baby diaper changing stations in men’s restrooms

(Oct 29, 2025) Rep. Scott Conklin

HARRISBURG, Oct. 29 –The Pennsylvania House Children and Youth Committee today approved state Rep. Scott Conklin’s bill that would address the shortage of baby diaper changing stations in men’s restrooms. Conklin’s H.B. 1558 , which would establish the Baby Diaper Changing Station Accessibility Program, would require changing stations in new and totally renovated public restrooms. “Child rearing is much more of a shared responsibility today, with diaper duty now performed by many dads, grandfathers, uncles and other male caregivers,” Conklin said. “Unfortunately, our public restrooms around the state don’t reflect that, with most changing stations still found exclusively in women’s restrooms. My bill would help address the lack of diaper-changing stations in men’s public restrooms so that gender is not an obstacle to this important resource.” Conklin said the federal government has passed legislation requiring baby diaper changing stations in all public restrooms located in federal buildings, and nine states have passed laws requiring changing stations in both men and women’s restrooms. The bill exempts industrial buildings, nightclubs and bars, fitness centers and spas, public lodging rooms and single-patient restrooms in health care facilities, and it contains exceptions for situations in which the installation would not be feasible, would interfere with accessible design Read more

 

Rabb bill establishing Emancipation Day clears House committee

(Oct 28, 2025) Rep. Christopher M. Rabb

Bipartisan support for legislation recognizing Thirteenth Amendment ratification in Pennsylvania Read more

 

House passes bipartisan bill to reform and streamline ignition interlock program

(Oct 28, 2025) Rep. Ed Neilson

HARRISBURG, Oct. 28 – Today, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed House Bill 1862 with a unanimous vote. This bipartisan legislation, jointly authored by state Reps. Ed Neilson, majority chair of the House Transportation Committee, and Kerry Benninghoff, minority chair of the committee, would reform and streamline administrative procedures related to the ignition interlock program. Currently, certain first-time and repeat DUI offenders with high blood alcohol content have their driver’s licenses suspended and are subject to the ignition interlock program. An ignition interlock is a breathalyzer used for certain DUI offenses; it’s installed in a vehicle to prevent it from starting or running if the driver’s alcohol level exceeds certain limits. Neilson said that slow processing times and bureaucratic delays have made it common for drivers to wait months before being approved for an interlock license. As a result, these devices are often left on vehicles far past the initial court sentence costing drivers hundreds of dollars in extra fees and employment opportunities, which counters the program’s goal of prevention and rehabilitation. Neilson stressed that driving under the influence is a serious crime that can have deadly consequences: “DUI offenders know the risk they take and should be held accountable for their reckless decision with serious penalties, including an ignition Read more

 

Smith-Wade-El, Hohenstein legislation to create Office of New Pennsylvanians referred out of committee

(Oct 28, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, Oct. 28 – Legislation (H.B. 1113) that would create an Office of New Pennsylvanians to support, attract and retain immigrants in the commonwealth, introduced by state Reps. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster, and Joe Hohenstein, D-Phila., was referred out of the House State Government Committee today, 14-12. Read more

 

Rivera, Neilson legislation for a teacher-supplies tax credit referred out of committee

(Oct 28, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, Oct. 28 – Legislation to establish a tax credit for educators with out-of-pocket expenses, co-sponsored by state Reps. Nikki Rivera, D-Lancaster, and Ed Neilson, D-Phila., was referred from the House Finance Committee this morning, 25-1. The legislation would provide a $100 refundable tax credit to teachers who spend their own money on classroom supplies and equipment. It would complement the $300 federal tax deduction for the purchase of unreimbursed classroom supplies. The tax credit proposal would be administered separately from the federal deduction to ensure Pennsylvania teachers always have this option available to them. “Our teachers give so much of themselves to educate our kids, and unfortunately this includes a good portion of their paychecks for necessary school supplies so their students can learn,” Rivera said. “I know from over 30 years of teaching experience in Lancaster County public schools that teaching is not a highly paid profession and school budgets don’t have enough funds to cover all the classroom expenses. This bill would recognize teachers’ financial sacrifice by establishing a $100 tax credit for unreimbursed classroom supplies.” According to Rivera, teachers across the country have reported that school budgets are insufficient to cover all classroom needs, so they’ve had to pay out of pocket for books, pens, paper, cleaning supplies, prizes, snacks, decorations, hand Read more

 

Committee advances Conklin bill to help public employee retirement plans operate more efficiently

(Oct 28, 2025) Rep. Scott Conklin

HARRISBURG, Oct. 28 –The House State Government Committee today unanimously approved state Rep. Scott Conklin’s bill that would improve operations for Pennsylvania’s public employee retirement plans by providing more feasible deadlines for the agencies to complete and submit the results of required annual financial testing. Conklin, D-Centre, said he introduced H.B. 1304 in response to a request from the Pennsylvania State Employees’ Retirement System and its sister agency, the Public School Employees’ Retirement System, to adjust the deadlines so they better align with the agencies’ annual fiscal year. “Government runs more efficiently when timetables and deadlines are based on real-world logistics,” Conklin said. “Currently, state law requires SERS and PSERS to perform annual stress testing to assess the financial health and resiliency of their pension funds based on different scenarios. The law also sets deadlines for the agencies to complete and submit those tests to state officials, and a deadline for the Independent Fiscal Office to summarize the results into a report. “The problem is that the state-mandated testing and reporting deadlines are not workable. For example, SERS already conducts more rigorous testing than required by state law and has advised that it cannot deliver its comprehensive report by the required July 1 deadline. Both SERS and the IFO have stated Read more

 

Munroe bill making reverse mortgage contracts readable passes PA House

(Oct 28, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

A bill that could safeguard seniors from misleading reverse mortgage contracts passed the PA House today by a vote of 104-99. Read more

 

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

(Oct 27, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS PennDOT: Green Light-Go Program Who May Apply: Municipalities and planning organizations. Use: To improve existing traffic control signals, such as LED replacement, traffic signal retiming, and studies, among other projects. Funds: Up to $40 million is available and projects require a 20% match. Application Deadline: Pre-application scoping forms will be accepted until January 2, 2026. PennDOT will provide comments by February 28, 2026. The full application window will be between March 1, 2026, and March 31, 2026. More information: PennDOT website Conservation and Natural Resources: Volunteer Fire Assistance Who May Apply: Volunteer fire companies in rural areas or communities under 10,000 in population Use: To prevent, control, and suppress the threat of wildfires through the purchase of wildfire suppression equipment, wildfire protective gear, mobile radios, installation of dry hydrants, wildfire training, or wildfire prevention and mitigation Funds: Funding is provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The maximum grant for 2025 is $15,000. Application Deadline: December 31, 2025 More information: DCNR Website PROGRAMS OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Department of Community and Economic Development: PA SITES Who May Apply: Municipalities, economic development organizations, redevelopment authorities, municipal authorities, Read more

 

Munroe bill paving way for more veterans to get teaching certificates signed into law

(Oct 27, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

Act 41 of 2025, formerly H.B. 1405, addresses the ongoing teacher shortage in Pennsylvania by making it easier for veterans to obtain a teaching certificate in career and technical fields. Many veterans gain direct experience in CTE fields during their time in the service. Read more

 

Philly Delegation welcomes Transportation Secretary Duffy to the ‘real world,’ offers challenge of road trip to visit GOP Senate leaders who broke the rules and broke SEPTA

(Oct 24, 2025) Philadelphia House Delegation

"Interestingly, Secretary Duffy agrees with us that the transfer of capital funds for operations is not sustainable and will lead to further safety failures. We strongly urge him to take the opportunity for a ride on a Regional Rail Silverliner IV to Sen. Joe Picozzi’s district in the Great Northeast or further out to Sen. Tracy Pennycuick’s or Sen. Frank Farry’s suburban districts and tell them to pass bipartisan legislation to provide a long-term, sustainable funding solution to SEPTA and all of Pennsylvania's mass transit systems." Read more

 

PA House Energy Committee considers first-ever regulations on data centers in Pennsylvania

(Oct 23, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, Oct 23 – Yesterday, PA House Energy Committee Chair Elizabeth Fiedler, D-Phila., convened a public hearing on legislation introduced by state Rep. Robert Matzie, D-Beaver. House Bill 1834 would authorize the Public Utility Commission to establish a regulatory framework for data centers operating in the Commonwealth. Read more

 

House Judiciary Committee advances Reproductive Rights Amendment

(Oct 22, 2025) Rep. Danielle Friel Otten

HARRISBURG, Oct. 22 – The Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee today approved a joint resolution sponsored by state Reps. Danielle Friel Otten, D-Chester, Liz Hanbidge, D-Montgomery, and La’Tasha D. Mayes, D-Allegheny, that would add a Reproductive Rights Amendment to the Pennsylvania constitution. The proposed legislation, introduced as H.B. 1957 , comes at a pivotal moment in the national conversation on reproductive rights. Since the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, the authority to regulate reproductive health care has shifted to individual states, prompting a wave of legislative and voter-led efforts across the country. In response, voters in states such as Ohio, Michigan, Vermont and California have approved constitutional amendments or ballot initiatives to enshrine reproductive rights in their state constitutions. These actions reflect a growing recognition that state-level protections are now essential to safeguarding access to abortion and other reproductive health care. Pennsylvania’s proposed amendment seeks to join this national movement by ensuring reproductive freedom is permanently enshrined in the state constitution. The Otten, Hanbidge and Mayes bill proposes an amendment to the Pennsylvania constitution that would reaffirm and protect every Pennsylvanian’s right to privacy and ensure that the state shall not deny or Read more

 

Smith-Wade-El, Hohenstein to hold news conference Oct. 28 in support of their legislation to create Office of New Pennsylvanians

(Oct 22, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, Oct. 22 – State Reps. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster, and Joe Hohenstein, D-Phila., will be joined by representatives of Church World Service at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28 in the East Wing Rotunda, Harrisburg, for a news conference in support of their legislation (H.B. 1113) that would create an Office of New Pennsylvanians to support, attract and retain immigrants in the commonwealth. “Our immigrant communities are an integral part of Pennsylvania’s economic growth, making up over 8% of our state’s work force and paying $3.3 billion yearly in state and local taxes,” Smith-Wade-El said. “But they are facing too many roadblocks due to bureaucratic red tape and restrictive policies targeting immigrant communities. “To keep these skilled workers, entrepreneurs, consumers and community leaders in our state, I’ve introduced a bill that would raze the maze of bureaucratic silos by establishing an Office of New Pennsylvanians that would be a one-stop shop for benefits and resources for immigrants under the auspices of the PA Department of Community and Economic Development.” “My support for immigrant rights is based on my belief in the value of all working people. Organized labor was born in immigrant communities from the coal mines in Pennsylvania to sweatshops in New York and to the grape harvests in California,” Hohenstein said. “Immigrants bring so much to our state – whether Read more

 

Pa. House Judiciary Committee advances key measures to protect health privacy, reproductive rights and public safety

(Oct 22, 2025) Women’s Health Caucus

HARRISBURG, Oct. 22 – The Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee today held a public hearing on a proposed state constitutional amendment (H.B.1957), followed by a voting meeting to advance significant women’s health measures designed to protect medical privacy, strengthen reproductive freedom and safeguard health care providers and patients from out-of-state interference. The committee heard testimony from advocates, medical professionals and policy experts on H.B. 1957, which would enshrine reproductive rights in the state constitution, and the members voted on other women’s health legislation, including the following House bills sponsored by Women’s Health Caucus Co-Chair Mary Jo Daley and state Rep. Melissa Shusterman . H.B. 1640 – Would protect health care records related to reproductive services from disclosure in Pennsylvania civil and criminal actions or investigations, ensuring patient confidentiality. H.B. 1641 – Would instruct insurance companies to not take adverse action against health care providers that offer reproductive services to out-of-state residents. H.B. 1643 – Would prohibit Pennsylvania courts from enforcing judgments from other states in cases involving reproductive health care services, preserving Pennsylvania’s legal independence. H.B. 1966 – Would prohibit Pennsylvania courts from cooperating with out-of-state civil and criminal cases involving reproductive Read more

 

Fiedler, Matzie introduce resolution urging Congress to fully fund LIHEAP, reinstate fired employees

(Oct 21, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, Oct. 21 – Today, Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, D-Phila., and Rep. Robert Matzie, D-Beaver, introduced a resolution urging Congress and President Donald Trump to permanently reinstate federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program employees and to increase funding for the program. LIHEAP is a federal cash grant program that helps low-income families across all 50 states and Washington, D.C., heat and cool their homes, make emergency repairs, and prevent shutoffs of essential utilities. In Pennsylvania, 300,000 households depend on LIHEAP for heating assistance in a typical year. On April 2, Trump laid off all federal staff responsible for administering LIHEAP and proposed zero funding in his fiscal year 2026 federal budget, leaving Pennsylvanians in the lurch. “Staying warm in the winter is not a partisan issue. Red, blue, doesn’t matter. People in all areas of our commonwealth depend on LIHEAP funding to get them safely through the coldest months. It’s a federal program that literally saves lives,” said Matzie . “It seems unconscionable that funding would be withheld, but here we are. And let’s be clear, this has nothing to with the current shutdown – the funding was cut in the proposed federal budget. This resolution is a simple plea to Congress to do the right thing. Restore LIHEAP funding. People’s lives depend on it.” One in five Pennsylvania households report Read more

 

Smith-Wade-El, Rivera hosting Medicaid Town Hall Oct. 28

(Oct 17, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

LANCASTER, Oct. 17 —State Reps. Ismail Smith-Wade-El and Nikki Rivera, both D-Lancaster, will hold a Medicaid Town Hall from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28 at the J.P. McCaskey High School Cafeteria, 445 Reservoir St., Lancaster. “We are offering this Medicaid Town Hall to answer residents’ questions regarding Medicaid, especially the recent changes to the program’s eligibility requirements, and explain how our offices can help them navigate the program to get the coverage they need,” Smith-Wade-El said. “As your state representatives, we want to be there for residents during this time of uncertainty as a resource by providing informational events like this town hall to answer any questions residents may have and afterwards through the constituent services our offices offer,” Rivera said. Residents are encouraged to RSVP by signing up at tinyurl.com/49-96-TownHall . Residents in Rivera’s district can also RSPV by calling the district office at 717-295-3157 or emailing them at RepRivera@pahouse.net . Those residing in Smith-Wade-El’s district can call the office at 717-283-4218 or email RepSmithWadeEl@pahouse.net . Read more

 

Smith-Wade-El, Rivera hosting Medicaid Town Hall Oct. 28

(Oct 17, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

LANCASTER, Oct. 17 —State Reps. Ismail Smith-Wade-El and Nikki Rivera, both D-Lancaster, will hold a Medicaid Town Hall from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28 at the J.P. McCaskey High School Cafeteria, 1051 Lehigh Ave., Lancaster. “We are offering this Medicaid Town Hall to answer residents’ questions regarding Medicaid, especially the recent changes to the program’s eligibility requirements, and explain how our offices can help them navigate the program to get the coverage they need,” Smith-Wade-El said. “As your state representatives, we want to be there for residents during this time of uncertainty as a resource by providing informational events like this town hall to answer any questions residents may have and afterwards through the constituent services our offices offer,” Rivera said. Residents are encouraged to RSVP by signing up at tinyurl.com/49-96-TownHall . Residents in Rivera’s district can also RSPV by calling the district office at 717-295-3157 or emailing them at RepRivera@pahouse.net . Those residing in Smith-Wade-El’s district can call the office at 717-283-4218 or email RepSmithWadeEl@pahouse.net . Read more

 

Ciresi introduces bill to prohibit trespassing using drones

(Oct 17, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, Oct. 17 – A bill, H.B. 1926, prohibiting trespassing with a drone was introduced this week by state Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery. The bill would strengthen criminal trespass laws in Pennsylvania. “Although state law in Pennsylvania forbids someone from physically trespassing on another person’s property, it has not been adapted to include the use of drone technology,” Ciresi said. “My legislation would update state laws to prohibit trespass by drone, bringing Pennsylvania in line with other states such as Utah and Virginia , which already expressly prohibit it.” Ciresi was alerted to the issue by a constituent whose property had been repeatedly trespassed by a drone and found that the local police had difficulty filing charges because of limitations in existing state law. House Bill 1926 would prohibit the use of a drone if a person uses it to enter or remain over the property of another person with the intention of coercing, intimidating or causing annoyance, damaging property, or defying an order to leave or not enter the property as presented to the offender by the owner of the property, another authorized person or a law enforcement officer. “This bill would update state law to account for proliferation of the use of drones and hold bad actors accountable when they misuse this technology,” Ciresi said. Read more

 

Ciresi, Friel town hall with Pottstown NAACP highlights negative impact of federal budget cuts, delayed state budget on Pennsylvania

(Oct 16, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

POTTSTOWN, Oct. 16 – State Reps. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, and Paul Friel, D-Chester, last night held a town hall with the NAACP’s Pottstown chapter. “Democracy was in action last night at the Pottstown town hall,” Ciresi said. “I was invigorated to see such passionate community engagement and thoughtful and respectful debate about how the federal and state budgets are having an impact on people’s lives.” Many of the audience questions concerned the impact that cuts and changes to SNAP and Medicaid would have on them and their communities. “Medicaid and SNAP have provided life-saving health care and put food on the tables of low-income Pennsylvanians for decades,” Ciresi said. “As a result of the federal budget cuts and changes to these programs, 5,914 people will lose Medicaid and 1,024 will lose SNAP in Chester County. Here in Montgomery County, 12,009 individuals will lose Medicaid and 2,336 will lose SNAP. In Pottstown alone, 1,662 people will lose Medicaid and 746 will lose SNAP. “These changes and cuts could not come at a worse time for our communities struggling with overburdened healthcare systems and rising food insecurity. Medicaid and SNAP have helped to stabilize our communities and support our economic growth. With more people in our communities living on the edge due to these cuts and changes, life will become unstable for us all. No one will be untouched by this devastation Read more

 

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

(Oct 16, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

Read more about the grant programs that are open for applications. Read more

 

Committee advances Conklin bill to expand access to baby diaper changing stations in men’s restrooms
Oct 29, 2025

Rabb bill establishing Emancipation Day clears House committee
Oct 28, 2025

House passes bipartisan bill to reform and streamline ignition interlock program
Oct 28, 2025

Smith-Wade-El, Hohenstein legislation to create Office of New Pennsylvanians referred out of committee
Oct 28, 2025

Rivera, Neilson legislation for a teacher-supplies tax credit referred out of committee
Oct 28, 2025

Committee advances Conklin bill to help public employee retirement plans operate more efficiently
Oct 28, 2025

Munroe bill making reverse mortgage contracts readable passes PA House
Oct 28, 2025

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities
Oct 27, 2025

Munroe bill paving way for more veterans to get teaching certificates signed into law
Oct 27, 2025

Philly Delegation welcomes Transportation Secretary Duffy to the ‘real world,’ offers challenge of road trip to visit GOP Senate leaders who broke the rules and broke SEPTA
Oct 24, 2025

PA House Energy Committee considers first-ever regulations on data centers in Pennsylvania
Oct 23, 2025

House Judiciary Committee advances Reproductive Rights Amendment
Oct 22, 2025

Smith-Wade-El, Hohenstein to hold news conference Oct. 28 in support of their legislation to create Office of New Pennsylvanians
Oct 22, 2025

Pa. House Judiciary Committee advances key measures to protect health privacy, reproductive rights and public safety
Oct 22, 2025

Fiedler, Matzie introduce resolution urging Congress to fully fund LIHEAP, reinstate fired employees
Oct 21, 2025

Smith-Wade-El, Rivera hosting Medicaid Town Hall Oct. 28
Oct 17, 2025

Smith-Wade-El, Rivera hosting Medicaid Town Hall Oct. 28
Oct 17, 2025

Ciresi introduces bill to prohibit trespassing using drones
Oct 17, 2025

Ciresi, Friel town hall with Pottstown NAACP highlights negative impact of federal budget cuts, delayed state budget on Pennsylvania
Oct 16, 2025

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities
Oct 16, 2025