Advocating for paid family leave and protections for fertility treatments

Rep. Jennifer M. O'Mara May 15, 2026 | 4:10 PM

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Dear Neighbor,

For Mother’s Day this year, I asked for more than flowers. I advocated for policies that will make life easier for working moms and prospective parents. On May 6, I was proud to join maternal and child health advocates marking A Mother’s Day of Advocacy at the state Capitol.

My message focused on the importance of H.B. 200, bipartisan legislation to establish paid family and medical leave in Pennsylvania, and H.B. 836, which would protect prospective parents’ rights to fertility treatments in the state. I’m a prime sponsor of both bills, and I urged my colleagues in the General Assembly to pass them to give mothers what they really need.

The advocacy event was organized by the Maternity Care Coalition, a community-based nonprofit organization serving Pennsylvania and Delaware, and I’m grateful to them for their work.

You can read more about it here and watch my remarks here.

A primer for Primary Day

Pennsylvania will hold its Primary Election next Tuesday, May 19, and it’s important to make your voice heard. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Primary Election Day.

If you’ve requested a mail-in ballot, remember that the completed ballot must be received by our county election office no later than 8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 19. For more info on drop boxes—as well as polling places and more—visit Delco Votes!

Our upcoming town hall on state and federal issues

On May 26, I'll be joining Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon and Rep. Lisa Borowski for a town hall to discuss what is happening in Washington and Harrisburg. It will be at 6:30 p.m. at Delaware County Community College. We will provide updates on developments in the state and national capitols, and we will take questions from attendees.

Advanced registration is required! You can sign up here.

Advocating for expanded mental health access

Mental health is one of the biggest crises of our time and there isn’t enough access to assistance for everyone. I was proud to join advocates at the state Capitol last week on Mental Health Advocacy Day to speak about the need to expand resources for everyone and eliminate the stigma that still exists around asking for help.

You can watch my remarks here.

Participate in the State of the Woman Report

The Governor’s Advisory Commission on Women has launched a statewide public survey and listening tour to gather input from women across Pennsylvania as part of the upcoming 2026 State of the Woman Report. This report will build on prior statewide analyses and examine the progress women have made over the past 60 years, while identifying persistent gaps across communities in the Commonwealth.

Women across Pennsylvania are encouraged to participate by completing a brief digital survey or attending a listening session in their region. The survey is available in multiple languages and will remain open through May 30.

You can access the survey and additional information here: 2026 State of the Woman Survey

Delco Environmental Expo is back

Our Delco Environmental Expo is back this year and will be 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on May 30 at Rose Tree Park. Stop by for the chance to learn about renewable energy, EVs, weatherization, electric-powered tools, and local sustainability efforts, plus this year’s new Clothing Swap (bring your gently used clothes and exchange them for something new-to-you).

The Delaware County Office of Sustainability will also host its Campaign Sign Recycling event the same morning, 9 a.m. to noon at Rose Tree Park.

Save for education and the chance to win $5,529!

The fifth annual 529 Day Promotion is running May 1 through May 31, and PA families who contribute at least $10 to their PA 529 account during May could be eligible to win one of six regional awards of $5,529 to boost their education savings! The PA 529 College and Career Savings Program is a tax-advantaged way for families to save for a variety of education, including technical training, college, apprenticeship, credential program, and K-12 expenses.

To learn more, visit pa529.com/529day.

Opportunities for PA artists

Pennsylvania is offering two opportunities for artists to showcase their work this year through statewide programs—one from the PA Game Commission and one from the state Department of Aging and Pennsylvania Council on the Arts.

The Older Artists of PA Showcase invites artists age 60+ to apply for inclusion in a Capitol exhibition this August 2026. The dealine is May 24, and more information is available here.

The Game Commission’s Wildlife Art Contest highlights Pennsylvania shorebirds and supports wildlife conservation. The deadline is July 31, and more information is available here.

Drop off children’s books at my office

My office is participating in a local children’s book drive to help put books in the hands of Delco children. We are a drop-off site for the Delco Book Bank’s Summer Reading Book Drive. Feel welcome to drop off new or gently used children’s books at my office through the end of May!