A bill by state Reps. Liz Hanbidge, D-Montgomery, and Paul Schemel, R-Franklin, to protect Pennsylvania seniors from abuse has been signed into law. Read more
HARRISBURG, July 1 – State House lawmakers today passed legislation ( H.B. 2175 ) introduced by Rep. Christina Sappey, D Chester, that would create a permanent Office of Child Advocate in Pennsylvania to help combat child abuse and child exploitation. Created through an executive order by Gov. Tom Wolf in 2019 over concerns related to complaints of abuse of children in congregate care facilities, the primary role of the Office of Child Advocate is to prevent child abuse and neglect. “OCA provides our state’s most vulnerable children with a direct line to assistance, serving a critical role in our government to ensure the children of Pennsylvania have a voice,” Sappey said. “Because it was established by executive order, the office ever remains in peril of being dissolved by future administrations. To better protect the children of Pennsylvania, the Office of Child Advocate should be codified as a permanent independent agency, as my bill would do.” According to Sappey, 34 other states have created permanent OCAs. The Joint State Government Commission Advisory Committee on Services to Children and Youth and the Pennsylvania Juvenile Justice Task Force are among groups that have recommended OCA be a permanent office. The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration. Read more
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
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
Pennsylvania localities are getting rid of small, part-time police departments — requiring Pennsylvania State Police to take on public safety duties without any extra funding. To find a long-term solution, state Rep. Tim Brennan wants a study. 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 – 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
“We should do everything in our power to help our veterans,” Pielli said. “That same attitude should be extended to the families of veterans. That’s why my colleagues, Representative Dan L. Miller and Representative Joe Webster, and I worked to create House Bill 1963. This simple change will make the lives of veterans and their families that much easier after this abrupt and unfortunate change. As a veteran, I’ve come to learn that when our men and women serve our great nation, their family also serves. This legislative consideration is the least we can do for our veterans and their families.” Read more
HARRISBURG, June 20 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, announced that the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission has scheduled an additional in-person public input hearing in Montgomery County that he had requested so more PECO Energy Company customers can offer input on the company’s proposed rate increases for electric and natural gas distribution services. The Limerick Township in-person hearing has been scheduled for: Thursday, June 27 – Limerick Township, Montgomery County Hearing starts at 6 p.m. Limerick Township Building 646 W. Ridge Pike Limerick, PA 19468 If the rate increase request is fully approved, the total monthly bill for a residential electric customer using 700 kWh would increase $16.67 from $135.85 to $152.52 (12.3%) in 2025 and by an additional $2.70 in 2026. For natural gas customers, the proposed increase would result in an increase from $97.98 to $114.13 per month (16.5%) for customers using Ccf per month. The increases would generate an additional $464 million, including a one-time credit of $64 million that would reduce the increase for 2025 from electric rates and $111 million from natural gas rates. In April 2024, the PUC voted to suspend and investigate proposed rate increases by PECO Energy Company for both electric and natural gas distribution services. The hearing in Limerick will be part of their investigation into the impact of the rate hikes. “I am very glad that the PUC in its role as a Read more
KENNETT SQUARE, June 20 – New state funding of $75,000 will help Kennet Area Community Service support homeless prevention programs and housing stability in southern Chester County, state Rep. Christina Sappey and state Sen. John I. Kane announced today. The funding comes from the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency under the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement fund. KACS will use the state funds to support homeless prevention, housing stability, diversion, emergency housing, rapid rehousing and eviction prevention as part of its Emergency Assistance Program for families and individuals experiencing housing crisis in the southern Chester County region. “The impact that KACS makes towards the betterment of lives in southern Chester County cannot be overstated,” Sappey said. “I am pleased to see this funding approved to help support homeless prevention and housing stability, a critical issue in our area. I will continue to support the work KACS does in any way possible.” "KACS continues to be a beacon of hope in southern Chester County,” Kane said. "This funding will be a real game changer, empowering KACS to be that helping hand to families when they need it most. This will make a real and tangible difference for our families giving KACS the backing to continue their impact.” "KACS is grateful to receive this essential Read more
HARRISBURG, June 14 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, today announced $1.58 million in PA Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement Fund awards for affordable housing and homelessness prevention projects in his legislative district. “I am very glad that these deserving projects have been funded in this round of PHARE grants,” Ciresi said. “Housing affordability is a major issue and a struggle for many people in our area. Everyone needs safe and secure housing in order to thrive. I believe this funding will help strengthen the social net in our communities, build strong families, and set individuals on the way to financial success.” $80,000 Access Services Recovery Oriented Rapid Rehousing Access Services will use funds to support five recovery orientated rapid rehousing units. These units will be targeted to individuals exiting substance abuse recovery settings or street homeless individuals struggling to maintain sobriety due to homelessness. $125,000 College Student Basic Needs Program Affordable Housing Scholarship Fund – TriCounty Community Network on behalf of the College Student Basic Needs Program The College Student Basic Needs Program will use the funds to assist under-resourced college students experiencing housing and food insecurity to stay in school, succeed academically, graduate and obtain better paying employment. One program provides housing scholarships for rental assistance to avoid Read more
ROYERSFORD, June 7 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi today spoke against the negative impact of Aqua Pennsylvania’s recent proposed wastewater rate hike on Limerick Township ratepayers and advocated for legislation that would require public hearings and clearer language on rate increases in public notifications for the sake of transparency and fairness. “Aqua Pennsylvania is proposing a 19% rate increase in Limerick Township following the near doubling of rates in the township less than three years ago,” Ciresi said. “If the rate increase is approved by the Pennsylvania Utilities Commission, customers would see a significant bill increase at a time when they’re already struggling.” The most recent hike is proposed from $78 to $93 for 3,870 gallons per month. This comes less than three years after 5,000 households in Limerick Township saw a near 100% increase in wastewater rates. Ciresi’s remarks also highlighted the dangers of privatization, as Aqua Pennsylvania will be raising rates in one district to make capital improvements in another district. He drew parallels between the rate hikes and the satirical plot of the Tony winning Musical Urinetown, in which people are faced with wastewater rates that are so high, using the bathroom becomes a privilege. “The sobering truth is that without better safeguards in place, privatizing something as essential as water is sending us down a Read more
HARRISBURG, June 7 – State Rep. Paul Friel this week introduced a bill ( H.B. 2393 ) that seeks to change the way that Pennsylvania handles food processing residue – addressing the hazards this waste can cause for rural and agricultural communities by updating the process and putting appropriate guardrails in place. Food processing residue, also known as FPR, is the leftover product created by commercial food processing. Food processing residues can include vegetable peelings, raw meat scraps, and liquid-like cleaning wastewater that includes blood, fat, hair and feathers, and a variety of other vegetable and animal byproducts and chemicals used to process them. While FPR can be used to fertilize the soil, it can create numerous problems if care is not taken. For example, some areas of Pennsylvania have seen groundwater contamination. Many other areas find themselves dealing with consistent, noxious odors. Compounding the issue, surrounding states have heavily restricted or banned the use of FPR, making Pennsylvania a target for cheaply offloading the commercial waste. “This bill – a bipartisan legislative solution to the problem – is the result of working with lawmakers from both sides of the aisle, the departments of Agriculture and Environmental Protection, affected community members, farmers, conservation experts and industry stakeholders. The goal is to make sure that FPR is used responsibly, contributing Read more
HARRISBURG, June 6 – Building on their strong record of propelling initiatives aimed to assist Pennsylvania families, state Rep. La’Tasha D. Mayes, D-Allegheny, and state Rep. Gina H. Curry, D-Delaware, announced today that their legislation that would create a state program providing “Welcome Baby” kits to new moms and parents passed the Pennsylvania House. House Bill 2137 would establish a new state program to help ease the financial and emotional stress new moms and parents face by providing them with maternal and newborn supply kits and connecting them to additional support programs available at the state and county levels. “I believe that the arrival of a newborn should be a time of joy and hope, not stress and uncertainty,” said Mayes, D-Allegheny. “Our legislation would ensure that these families receive the support they need during this transformative time. “The Maternal and Newborn Supply Kit program addresses the social determinants of health like having a low income which can impact a person’s health outcomes. For new moms and parents, these kits are part an answer to combat the driving forces of maternal mortality and morbidity and a lifeline for struggling new families.” I stand firmly committed to advocating for policies that provide parents with the necessary resources to nurture their child from day one.” “Welcoming Read more
HARRISBURG, June 5 – A bill that would require high school coaches to receive training on student mental health passed the House Tuesday, announced the measure’s sponsor, state Rep. Mary Jo Daley. House Bill 1367 would help ensure that students, parents and guardians, athletic coaches and extracurricular advisers are all made aware of the availability of mental health services within a school and local community. The bill would also require that athletic coaches receive mental health awareness training similar to training required of other school personnel. A recent study surveying more than 10,000 coaches found only 18% of youth coaches feel highly confident in their ability to link athletes to mental health resources, and 67% want more training and information on the subject. “School professionals already serve a big role in a student’s life, so it only makes sense that we provide critical, lifesaving training to everyone we can on school grounds. For when things are not OK, we need to know that every adult is available to identify and take the steps to help a student find solid ground,” said Daley, D-Montgomery. “It takes training to know when and how to be there for a student especially at a time when nearly half of America’s youth are, in fact, struggling with their mental health.” Specifically, the bill would: Direct the Pennsylvania Department of Education to revise standards for Read more
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