HARRISBURG, June 28 – The state House today passed a bill that would create a Pennsylvania-Ireland Trade Commission, announced its sponsor, state Rep. Mary Jo Daley. House Bill 2132 , which passed with Republican and Democratic support, would boost Pennsylvania’s economic prospects through fostering international trade and cooperation with Ireland. “Pennsylvania has a rich history of innovation, industriousness and cultural diversity,” said Daley, D-Montgomery. “By establishing a trade commission specifically focused on Ireland, we can tap into the unique opportunities that this partnership presents. Ireland, known for its robust economy and advanced technology sector, offers a gateway for Pennsylvania businesses to expand their reach and increase their competitiveness on the global stage.” Daley said that a Pennsylvania-Ireland Trade Commission could also serve as a bridge, fostering diplomatic relations and ensuring that Pennsylvania remains a key player in international trade discussions. “Strengthening our ties with Ireland would also enhance cultural and educational exchanges, enriching our communities and fostering a greater understanding between our citizenries,” she added. “This can lead to more student exchange programs, joint academic ventures and cultural festivals that celebrate our shared heritage.” Irish companies have nearly 400 locations in Read more

HARRISBURG, June 27 – A bill directing Pennsylvania schools to send home information about Type 1 diabetes and its warning signs passed the state House today. Sponsored by state Rep. Justin Fleming, D-Dauphin, the bill passed 182-20, with bipartisan support. “Empowering individuals with diabetes education is the cornerstone of effective management, and transforming knowledge into action fosters a healthier life,” Fleming said. “This bill is also very personal as my daughter was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in June 2020.” Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder in which the pancreas shuts down, failing to provide insulin that the body needs to regulate blood glucose. Those who have Type 1 diabetes are dependent on pharmaceutically manufactured insulin for life. For many, the signs of Type 1 diabetes can go unnoticed for longer periods of time resulting in a condition called diabetic ketoacidosis, or DKA, leading to serious health complications that may even be fatal. Recognizing the signs of diabetes early, along with targeted screening and monitoring, have been shown to reduce the incidence of DKA, reduce rates of hospitalization and, most importantly, save lives. "The most common age range for a diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes is between 6-16. It’s critical that we reach parents and guardians with this information to identify this disease and save kids from needless suffering," Read more

HARRISBURG, June 27 – A bill that would establish a state office to respond to Alzheimer’s, dementia and related disorders passed the House today, announced state Rep. Patty Kim, who co-sponsored the measure. House Bill 2400 would create a permanent Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Office and establish a 28-member advisory committee, both within the Pennsylvania Department of Aging, to coordinate across state agencies, advocate policy and leverage resources to better respond to the unique and complex needs of those living with Alzheimer's and other dementia. “Supporting specialized care can significantly enhance the quality of life for dementia patients, providing them with the necessary medical, psychological, and social support through a public-facing office,” Kim said. “Public health initiatives can promote early diagnosis and intervention, which can slow disease progression and improve outcomes.” By 2025, the number of Pennsylvanians living with Alzheimer’s is expected to increase to 320,000 with the total Medicaid costs to care for them expected to increase by over 10%. “Because patients eventually are unable to care for themselves, Alzheimer’s and dementia are major cost drivers in the state’s Medicaid budget,” Kim said. “Our taking a proactive and public approach to this specialized aging care could help us get ahead of the curve in fighting and Read more

House Bill 1441 would amend the Landlords and Tenants Act to provide for exceptions that give victims of domestic violence or abuse the option to terminate a rental lease early and/or change the locks or means of entry to their housing unit. Read more

According to a primary sponsor of the bill, Rep. Lisa Borowski, D-Delaware, 14 out of the past 15 hospital closures in the commonwealth were preceded by a merger or acquisition. Read more

HARRISBURG, June 26 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi’s bill that will protect a deceased person’s family or estate from being charged early termination fees when canceling certain service contracts and vehicle leases passed the PA Senate today and is now headed to the governor’s desk. “Death shouldn’t come with fees, and companies shouldn’t be making money off a customer’s death.” Ciresi said. “It’s hard enough to lose a family member, but it is just salt in the wound for a grieving relative to have to pay an early termination fee because the customer has died. My legislation, which will hopefully become law soon, would prohibit cable, phone, telecommunications, utility, and other companies from imposing early termination fees on a recently deceased person’s family for services that would no longer be used.” Once signed into law, bill will require that written notice along with a copy of a death certificate be provided to end such leases or contracts without financial penalty. Ciresi has championed the legislation in previous sessions. This session, the bill had 24 co-sponsors, including both Democrats and Republicans. Ciresi said he was grateful to his colleagues for their support of this bill to provide additional protections for consumers. “This legislation will help Pennsylvania families by removing one less hassle during their time of grief as they try to settle their loved Read more

HARRISBURG, June 25 – A bill that would further empower counties in criminal justice oversight passed the state House Monday, announced its sponsor, state Rep. Napoleon Nelson. Specifically, H.B. 1509 would remedy a gap in Pennsylvania law by which Montgomery County cannot appoint a county jail oversight board. It is the only county without this option. The bill would also create the option of adding public members to prison oversight boards statewide. “Over 70,000 Pennsylvania residents are incarcerated, nearly half of them in county jails, prisons or correctional facilities,” said Nelson, D-Montgomery. “These residents and their families retain the right to proper jail governance while incarcerated. Well-appointed oversight boards are a critical measure to ensure and protect that right.” Oversight boards can consist of county commissioners along with other designated officers. They exert significant influence over how county prisons operate. “The added transparency and accountability are the keys to effective reform. Including an array of members on a board that are elected officials and members of the public ensures that the board reflects as many concerns and values as possible,” Nelson said. “This can lead to initiatives that support inmate reintegration and reduce recidivism rates. An expanded board can also enhance monitoring and reporting functions, Read more

HARRISBURG, June 25 – Pennsylvanians could see increased access to contraceptive care under a proposal that passed the state House today. House Bill 1140 , introduced by state Rep. Leanne Krueger, D-Delaware, would require health insurance policies to cover all forms of contraceptive care without any out-of-pocket costs to consumers. “Nine out of 10 women of reproductive age have used some form of contraception at some point in their lives, but many contraceptives are still difficult to access,” House Insurance Committee Chair Patty Kim said. “I’m proud to vote to protect access to contraceptives so that women in Pennsylvania can choose the right time to start a family. “No one right method of contraceptive care is right for everyone, and this bill keeps women in control of their own sexual and reproductive health.” Contraceptives are used to prevent unintended pregnancies and to treat a wide variety of medical conditions, including very serious ones. Despite these benefits, no Pennsylvania law requires health insurers to cover contraceptive care. House Bill 1140 now heads to the Senate for consideration. Read more

HARRISBURG, June 25 – Landmark legislation that would add state-level protections for contraceptive access ( H.B. 1140 ) was approved by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives today, according to the bill’s sponsor, state Rep. Leanne Krueger. Krueger, D-Delaware, said efforts by extreme, anti-choice legislators and activists to deny people’s access to safe, proven and FDA-approved contraceptive methods to prevent pregnancy and treat other medical conditions prompted the need for this legislation that she has introduced every session since 2020. She said the legislation became more crucial when the U.S. Supreme overturned Roe v Wade in its 2022 Dobbs decision and gave each state the authority to decide women’s reproductive rights. "Contraception is health care, plain and simple, and no one but a woman and her doctor should decide what medical care she has the right to receive," Krueger said. “Pennsylvania currently has no protections in state law for contraceptive access, so attacks at the federal level jeopardize our access. This bill received unanimous approval in committee and passed with a bipartisan vote of 133-69 in the House. Today’s vote is an important first step to ensuring access to contraception for all Pennsylvanians who need, want and deserve it.” The bill would require all health insurance policies in Pennsylvania to provide coverage for all FDA- approved Read more

“Children need a secure and legal parent-child relationship for so many aspects of their overall well-being and their stability in life,” Sanchez, D-Montgomery, said. Read more