News Center

Kenyatta joins community in mourning death of drag persona Daelicious O’hare Mizani

(May 13, 2024) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

I am absolutely heartbroken that such a beautiful bright light in our community was extinguished last week,” Kenyatta said. “My thoughts are with his family, friends and everyone in the drag and LGBTQ+ community who was lucky enough to know Daelicious and see his vibrant personality shine through his energetic performances Read more

 

Committee examines patient outcomes, nursing home care

(May 13, 2024) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

“My heart breaks for an aging and vulnerable population caught in a current health care crisis,” said Rep. Kyle Mullins, who hosted the hearing and represents portions of Lackawanna County. “Expert testimony detailed the many challenges, and they explained why they hope positive action at the state and federal levels can be made to help our residents.” Read more

 

Pharmacy owners plead for policy reform on PBMs

(May 10, 2024) Rep. Jessica Benham

Bipartisan bill would help local pharmacies stay in business Read more

 

Fleming’s Mixed-Use Revitalization Program legislation passes House

(May 10, 2024) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, May 10 – This week the House passed legislation sponsored by state Rep. Justin Fleming that would establish the Mixed-Use Revitalization Program to incentivize the revitalization of blighted commercial properties . “Communities across the commonwealth are seeing a rise in large, abandoned and blighted commercial properties like the Colonial Park Mall in Lower Paxton,” said Fleming, D-Dauphin. “As they stand vacant and fall into disrepair, these looming eyesores are negatively impacting communities by cutting into tax rolls, failing to pay utility bills, deterring traffic to nearby businesses, draining local services, and often posing significant safety concerns. "I believe we can transform these drains on our economy into thriving places to live and work, bringing new restaurants, retail shops, health care facilities, recreational spaces, and residential housing for working families.” Property redevelopment is a financially significant undertaking with large parcels often accruing substantial demolition and site preparation costs. Fleming’s bill would help provide capital funding to developers to purchase these large properties and expedite the redevelopment process. “My bill would establish a dedicated Mixed-Use Revitalization Fund administered through the Commonwealth Financing Authority that would provide matching grants to incentivize the purchase and Read more

 

PA House adopts Rabb resolution to study best practices for body camera footage

(May 09, 2024) Rep. Christopher M. Rabb

HARRISBURG, May 9 – A resolution ( H.R. 113 ) introduced by state Rep. Chris Rabb, D-Phila., that calls for a study of best practices regarding body-worn cameras by law enforcement was adopted on a bipartisan vote by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives Wednesday. The resolution directs the Joint State Government Commission to study how body-worn camera footage is currently used, stored, secured, indexed and accessed. It also requires the commission to prepare a report assessing the cost of filming, storing and reviewing complete body-worn camera footage, provide recommendations on how to ensure that footage is used for the benefit of all and shielded from cyber threats, and establish an advisory committee comprising individuals who have expertise and experience in fields, positions and situations relating to criminal legal matters, cyber security, ethics and law enforcement. “The bipartisan call to provide body-worn cameras to law enforcement agents has been a hallmark priority that promotes increased transparency and accountability for law enforcement and civilians alike. However, with the adoption of this resolution, we can look forward to substantive research on clear, consistent and equitable protocols for how we process footage from these cameras,” Rabb said. “Recommendations produced by the Joint State Government Commission stemming from completion of this study have the potential to inform Read more

 

House passes O’Mara bill supporting first responders with PTSI

(May 08, 2024) Rep. Jennifer M. O'Mara

“My dad was a firefighter in Philadelphia – he was my hero – and he died by suicide in 2003. First responders are heroes, but they’re not superheroes," O'Mara said. Read more

 

Munroe’s bipartisan social media bill passes House

(May 08, 2024) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE State Rep. Brian Munroe D-Bucks www.pahouse.com/Munroe Munroe’s bipartisan social media bill passes House HARRISBURG, May 8 – State Rep. Brian Munroe’s bipartisan bill that he wrote with three teenagers to empower parents to help their children navigate social media passed the House today. House Bill 2017 , which passed 105-95, now heads to the Senate for consideration. “This bill will not solve all problems with social media, but what it does do is give parents a tool to help prevent bullying and other problems associated with these platforms,” Munroe said. Munroe crafted the legislation after meeting Max Jin, Luka Jonjic and Dylan Schwartz when they were students at Tamanend Middle School in 2023. The three, who are now students at Central Bucks High School South, won an award from C-SPAN for their documentary, America’s Silent Struggle: Social Media’s Impact on Teens’ Mental Health. The bipartisan legislation would put the following safeguards in place: Strengthen proof-of-age verification on social media platforms by requiring consent from a parent or legal guardian for anyone younger than 16 to open a social media account and notify Read more

 

Bill to prohibit use of hand-held devices while driving passes General Assembly

(May 08, 2024) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

State Rep. Ed Neilson, D-Phila., chair of the PA House Transportation Committee, today announced that legislation (S.B. 37) that would prohibit the use of hand-held devices while operating a motor vehicle in Pennsylvania has passed both chambers of the General Assembly and is now on its way to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s desk for signature to become state law. “The data shows that distracted driving is the cause for more crashes than driving under the influence now,” Neilson said. “In the past, we confronted DUIs with harsher penalties because we recognized the danger it caused.” “I’m happy we did the work to get this bill passed and treated it with the same amount of alarm,” Neilson continued. Under the legislation, the penalty is a summary offense: a $50 fine and no points on the driver’s license. The bill also promotes education efforts by requiring minors to learn about distracted driving and have at least one question on the driver’s exam be about distracted driving, Neilson explained. “Today, Pennsylvania joins 26 states, including all of our border states, in recognizing the dangers that come with distracted driving by passing legislation that would include not only deterrents but an opportunity to get educated about the dangers of distracted driving in Pennsylvania,” Neilson said. Neilson added that the bill is also known as Paul Miller’s Read more

 

Warren bill to help reduce single-use plastic passes House

(May 08, 2024) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE State Rep. Perry Warren D-Bucks County www.pahouse.com/ Warren Warren bill to help reduce single-use plastic passes House HARRISBURG, May 8 – State Rep. Perry Warren’s bill that would encourage the use of reusable water bottles passed the PA House of Representatives today. House Bill 1169 , which now heads to the Senate for consideration, would require newly constructed state buildings, as well as existing state buildings undergoing renovations to their water and pipe infrastructure, to install water bottle filling stations. Last year 100 billion plastic beverage containers were sold in the U.S. Warren said many of them end up in the streets instead of in recycling containers. Worse, too many bottles end up in the ocean and waterways, polluting our waters and killing marine life. “This bill began with a conversation with a student intern in my district office about the proliferation of plastic water bottles. Soon after, I traveled to a national park, used a water bottle filling station at Philadelphia International Airport on the way and visited a display at the national park visitor center on plastic water bottle waste,” Warren said. “Those three events led to me conceiving a bill that would reduce Read more

 

Lawmakers introduce landmark energy bills in Pa. House

(May 08, 2024) Rep. Danielle Friel Otten, Rep. Aerion Andrew Abney

HARRISBURG, May 8 – State Rep. Danielle Friel Otten, D-Chester, and state Rep. Aerion Abney, D-Allegheny, today introduced legislation advancing the Shapiro administration’s Pennsylvania Reliable Energy Sustainability Standard (PRESS) and Pennsylvania Climate Emission Reduction (PACER) Program plans for Pennsylvania, respectively. The plans were first announced by Gov. Josh Shapiro in March . A companion PRESS bill was filed in the Senate by state Sen. Steven Santarsiero, D-Bucks, while state Sen. Carolyn Comitta, D-Chester, introduced the Senate version of the PACER legislation. “Right now in our commonwealth, we must take action to catch up in the race to create clean and reliable energy – to be more competitive, ensure consumers pay less for their electricity bills, and create more jobs and opportunities for our businesses to grow and our workers to get ahead,” Shapiro said. “I have made clear that any energy policy supported by my administration must meet the three-part test of protecting and creating energy jobs, taking real action to address climate change pollution, and ensuring reliable, affordable power for consumers in the long term – and my energy plan is built to do all three. Together with the support of leaders like Representative Abney and Representative Otten in the General Assembly, we’re going to ensure Pennsylvania will continue to be a national energy leader for decades to come.” Read more

 

Committee examines Keystone Saves Retirement Accounts

(May 08, 2024) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

“The reality is, roughly 2 million Pennsylvania workers don’t currently have access to a retirement savings plan through their place of employment,” said Mullins, who represents portions of Lackawanna County. “If we act now, this plan will not cost taxpayers a single dollar. But if we don’t address the retirement security crisis, it will cost the state nearly $20 billion in social safety net programs by 2040. This legislation not only provides help for retiring workers, but it also takes a major burden off our small business owners.” Read more

 

Venkat’s health care reimbursement legislation approved by committee

(May 08, 2024) Rep. Arvind Venkat

HARRISBURG, May 6 – State Rep. Arvind Venkat’s bill that would require health insurers to offer multiple payment options to in-network health care providers for payment for clinical services and disclose any associated fees with each method of payment was unanimously adopted by the PA House Insurance Committee today. The legislation, H.B. 1867 , would eliminate electronic credit card reimbursements being the sole method of payment and allow health care providers to choose the payment option best suited to their needs. Electronic credit card reimbursements with mandatory fees would only be permitted if the in-network health care provider agrees to that arrangement. “Administrative fees associated with only having electronic credit cards as the means of payment unnecessarily drains agreed-upon reimbursements received by hard-working doctors, nurses and other health professionals who have dedicated their lives to safeguarding the health of our community,” Venkat, D-Allegheny, said. “Let’s get our health care providers the full compensation they deserve and continue to support them in all their efforts.” According to a ProPublica article , almost 60% of medical practices said they were compelled to pay fees for electronic payment at least some of the time. These fees can also cost larger medical practices $1 million a year, and small clinics can lose as much as $100,000 due to the fees. The legislation now moves to the full Read more

 

Pielli’s business reporting bill heads to governor’s desk

(May 08, 2024) Rep. Chris Pielli

“In order for Pennsylvania to succeed, we need to be more welcoming to businesses,” said Pielli. “For purposes of efficiency and consistency, my bill would change the requirement so all companies doing business in Pennsylvania have the same reporting date. Read more

 

House Labor & Industry Committee hosts nurses to address nursing workforce crisis

(May 07, 2024) Rep. Jason Dawkins

HARRISBURG, May 7 – The week of May 6-12 being “National Nurses Week,” the Pennsylvania House Labor and Industry Committee held an informational meeting today to discuss the causes of, and solutions to, the nursing workforce crisis in Pennsylvania. The committee invited nurses from across the commonwealth to testify from their personal experience and expertise to the causes of the workforce crisis in healthcare. “The problem is the working conditions. Between unacceptable staffing levels and escalations in workplace violence, nurses are finding other things to do with their licenses or taking early retirement,” Maureen May, RN at Temple University Hospital, said. “We have the nurses in PA, but they're sitting on the sidelines. They don’t want to subject themselves to moral injury and risk their license or personal injury, so they have decided to do other things. We can get them back to the bedside – but for that to happen, the working conditions must improve.” “I am saddened to say that, since UPMC took us over ten years ago, Altoona has become a shell of what it used to be. We’ve watched our hospital’s priorities go from a focus on patients to a focus solely on numbers,” Jamie Balsamo, RN at UPMC Altoona. “I’m an example of the burnout and mass exodus away from the bedside that is plaguing our healthcare workforce. For the Read more

 

Mayes home blood-pressure monitoring bill clears Pa. House

(May 06, 2024) Rep. La'Tasha D. Mayes

Legislation to cover remote blood-pressure monitors through Medicaid, CHIP Read more

 

House advances Cephas bill to strengthen doula services in Pa.

(May 06, 2024) Rep. Morgan B. Cephas

HARRISBURG, May 6 – PA House lawmakers today passed legislation authored by state Rep. Morgan Cephas, D-Phila., that would extend Medicaid coverage to doula services in the state. Under Cephas’ bill ( H.B. 1608 ), Medicaid would reimburse certified doulas for providing childbirth education and support services, including physical and emotional support, during pregnancy, labor and delivery and up to one year postpartum. “Research has shown that doula support leads to improved birth outcomes, including reduced rates of cesarean sections, shorter labor durations and higher rates of breastfeeding initiation. By providing continuous support throughout and after pregnancy, doulas contribute to safer and more positive birth experiences for families," Cephas said. "Lack of health coverage for these services in Medicaid leads to a vast disparity in care for women who are already statistically at risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes, with Black birthing people at the highest risk of maternal and infant mortality and morbidity compared to other racial and ethnic groups. This legislation would give these parents a proven network of support needed to produce better mental and physical health outcomes during their birthing journey. I appreciate that my House colleagues understood the wisdom of providing this to moms who receive their health care under Medicaid.” The bill also would establish a Doula Read more

 

Equal Pay Law passes PA House

(May 06, 2024) Rep. Donna Bullock, Rep. Melissa Shusterman, Rep. Jennifer M. O'Mara

HARRISBURG, May 6 – A bill ( H.B. 98 ) introduced by state Reps. Donna Bullock, Melissa Shusterman and Jenn O’Mara known as the Equal Pay Law, which would expand protections against wage discrimination, was passed by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives today. The legislation would prohibit employers from discriminating and paying workers less because of their gender, race or ethnicity. It would also add protections for retaliation and increase monetary penalties from $50-$200 to $2,500-$5,000 in cases where employers discharge or discriminate against an employee for filing a complaint. And, the legislators said, it would enhance pay transparency by requiring employers to include the expected compensation or the range for any position the employer publicly advertises as a job opening and to a prospective employee applying for employment upon reasonable request. “It’s well known that women, and especially women of color, have been insufficiently paid in the workplace. This is despite doing the same tasks, performing the same jobs, and sometimes doing them much better than our counterparts,” said Bullock, D-Phila. “This is a step toward economic justice. We moved this legislation forward to ensure all Pennsylvania workers receive equal pay for equal work and eradicate wage disparity once and for all. It's time for the Senate to do the same.” Read more

 

Kim plan empowers Pennie enrollees with grants for premiums, expenses

(May 06, 2024) Rep. Patty Kim

HARRISBURG, May 6 – Individuals who buy health insurance through Pennie could receive a new state subsidy to help pay for their insurance premiums under a proposal introduced by state Rep. Patty Kim, chair of the PA House Insurance Committee. Today, that proposal, H.B. 2234, was favorably voted out of that committee and is ready for a full House vote. Pennie provides excellent health care coverage for hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians who fall outside of traditional work-related coverage options, Kim said, but many families still struggle to meet their deductibles or pay their premiums. More than two-thirds of uninsured people who applied for, but did not purchase, Pennie coverage said it was too expensive. And many Pennie plans have deductibles over $10,000. However, according to Federal Reserve data, 13% of adults are unable to pay a $400 unexpected expense at any given time – meaning many Pennie customers cannot afford their coverage. “We can lift struggling workers up to manage the rising costs of health care with a program that empowers them to pay their bills,” said Kim, D-Dauphin/Cumberland. “From a public policy perspective, small, targeted programs can deliver a difference in people’s lives.” Kim’s proposal answers Gov. Josh Shapiro’s call to create a pilot program giving Pennsylvanians cash subsidies so they can buy health insurance through Read more

 

LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus praises state boards for new policy to protect LGBTQ+ youth

(May 03, 2024) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

Celebrating the five state boards -- the state boards of Nursing, the Medicine, Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Professional Counselors, Psychology and Osteopathic Medicine -- who all voted recently to adopt new statements of policy opposing the use of conversion therapy on minors in Pennsylvania, members of the Pennsylvania House LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus issued the following statement: “The LGBTQ+ community often faces a troubling disparity, where accessing appropriate health care can be tainted by discrimination, misunderstanding and systemic barriers. This new policy, adopted throughout the state, validates what advocates have been saying for decades about the dangers of conversion therapy, and sends a clear message that we will not let hatred masquerade as medical treatment here in Pennsylvania.” The new policies notify licensees that all five boards consider the use of conversion therapy to be unprofessional, harmful conduct that may subject any licensee engaging in it to administrative discipline. They said that conversion therapy refers to any practice that seeks or purports to change an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity. “The LGBTQ+ community's experience with health care must reflect inclusivity, respect, and understanding, ensuring every individual receives the quality care they deserve, free from discrimination or bias." Read more

 

House passes Conklin bill to boost funding for minority-owned businesses

(May 02, 2024) Rep. Scott Conklin

HARRISBURG, May 2 – The House yesterday passed legislation introduced by state Rep. Scott Conklin that would help Pennsylvania’s minority-owned businesses secure the capital they need to grow and remain competitive. Conklin, who is majority chairman of the Pennsylvania House Commerce Committee, said he introduced H.B. 2202 – which would establish the Minority Business Development Program to provide low-interest loans and equity financing to ethnic-owned businesses – to get vital resources flowing to traditionally underserved business communities. “Minority-owned businesses have a critical role to play in Pennsylvania, but for too long, they have faced financing hurdles that have prevented them from growing and expanding,” Conklin said. “It’s time to level the playing field by connecting these businesses with the resources they need to thrive. Doing so creates jobs, adds healthy competition, grows our local and state economies, and empowers business owners to give back to their communities. It’s a win-win all around.” The fund established by Conklin’s bill would provide eligible businesses with means ranging from $3 million for one or more projects to a maximum of $5 million for up to three projects. Minority-owned businesses in counties of the First or Second Class would be eligible for a maximum of $10 million per applicant. The funds would be used as equity and Read more

 

Kenyatta joins community in mourning death of drag persona Daelicious O’hare Mizani
May 13, 2024

Committee examines patient outcomes, nursing home care
May 13, 2024

Pharmacy owners plead for policy reform on PBMs
May 10, 2024

Fleming’s Mixed-Use Revitalization Program legislation passes House
May 10, 2024

PA House adopts Rabb resolution to study best practices for body camera footage
May 09, 2024

House passes O’Mara bill supporting first responders with PTSI
May 08, 2024

Munroe’s bipartisan social media bill passes House
May 08, 2024

Bill to prohibit use of hand-held devices while driving passes General Assembly
May 08, 2024

Warren bill to help reduce single-use plastic passes House
May 08, 2024

Lawmakers introduce landmark energy bills in Pa. House
May 08, 2024

Committee examines Keystone Saves Retirement Accounts
May 08, 2024

Venkat’s health care reimbursement legislation approved by committee
May 08, 2024

Pielli’s business reporting bill heads to governor’s desk
May 08, 2024

House Labor & Industry Committee hosts nurses to address nursing workforce crisis
May 07, 2024

Mayes home blood-pressure monitoring bill clears Pa. House
May 06, 2024

House advances Cephas bill to strengthen doula services in Pa.
May 06, 2024

Equal Pay Law passes PA House
May 06, 2024

Kim plan empowers Pennie enrollees with grants for premiums, expenses
May 06, 2024

LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus praises state boards for new policy to protect LGBTQ+ youth
May 03, 2024

House passes Conklin bill to boost funding for minority-owned businesses
May 02, 2024