Dear Neighbors,

I wanted to take a moment to share some important updates and opportunities with you. From new health care protections to upcoming local events, there’s a lot happening in our community right now.

You’ll find more details below, including information on upcoming events, tax credits, and much more.

And a special shout-out to the Archbishop Wood girls’ basketball team as it plays for the PIAA Class 5A state title on Saturday —Go Vikings!

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reply to this email or call my office at (215) 323-6997.

In Service,

Brian

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives recently passed a series of bills aimed at protecting essential health care under the Affordable Care Act. The bills include provisions to cover preventive health services without cost-sharing, prevent lifetime caps on essential benefits, ensure young adults can stay on their parents' insurance until age 26, and protect coverage for pre-existing conditions.

These protections are crucial for Pennsylvanians’ health security, particularly as federal efforts to dismantle the ACA continue. The goal is to ensure that residents maintain access to essential health services, regardless of what happens at the federal level.

The bills now move to the Pennsylvania Senate for consideration. As the ACA marks its 15th anniversary, state leaders are urging swift action to enshrine these protections into state law, ensuring that all Pennsylvanians continue to have access to affordable, high-quality health care.

For more information, click here.

I’m reminding eligible residents to take advantage of Pennsylvania’s Child and Dependent Care Enhancement Tax Credit before the April 15 tax filing deadline. This credit, expanded under a law passed by the General Assembly, provides financial relief to working families with child or dependent care expenses.

The credit matches 100% of the federal Child Care Tax Credit, offering a maximum of $1,050 for one child/dependent and $2,100 for two or more, with minimums of $600 and $1,200, respectively. Eligibility includes expenses for children under 13, spouses, or other dependents who are physically or mentally incapable of self-care. The credit is refundable, meaning taxpayers can receive a full refund after tax obligations.

To claim the credit, taxpayers must file a PA-40 form along with PA Schedule DC, Federal Form 2441, and 1040 Schedule 3. The Department of Revenue encourages filing through myPATH, Pennsylvania’s free online tax filing system.

You can find more information about the tax credit here or contact my office.

As concerns grow over what will happen to personal data held by one of the world’s largest genetic testing companies that filed for bankruptcy this past Sunday, I joined with my colleague, Rep. Emily Kinkead, to announce new legislation aimed at establishing stronger protections for genetic data.

The Genetic Materials Privacy and Compensation Act would ensure that people have clear, inherent rights over the use and sale of their genetic material. It will require any for-profit genetic testing company to get permission from consumers before sharing their data with any third parties. Most importantly, it will ensure that consumers are fairly compensated when their DNA is used or sold.

This legislation reflects what people already know – the information contained in their DNA belongs to them, and them alone. While 23andMe’s recent bankruptcy highlights some of the struggles companies in this industry are facing, we can’t overlook the broader context. The genetic testing industry remains highly profitable, and companies continue to make massive profits by selling genetic data to research and pharmaceutical firms. Our bill would ensure that people are notified before their genetic data is sold, that they have the right to approve or disapprove of such sales, and, most importantly, that they are fairly compensated for its use. It’s time for these companies to be held accountable and for individuals to regain control over their most personal information.

The inspiration for this bill comes from the legacy of Henrietta Lacks, whose cervical cells were taken without her knowledge or consent and then used in hundreds of research studies, including for the development of the polio vaccine. Henrietta Lacks and her family have never been compensated for the use of her cells. This is a stark reminder that we must act now to prevent any further exploitation of individuals’ most personal and private information.

Rep. Kinkead and I are currently gathering co-sponsors for this crucial legislation, and we plan to introduce it soon. It’s time to make sure that genetic data, like all personal information, is protected and that people are treated fairly.

Bucks County Community College is hosting a Dual Enrollment Information Session via Zoom at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 15. This session will provide valuable details about the college’s Dual Enrollment program, which allows high school students to earn college credits while still in school.

The program offers college-level courses that are preselected by the high school and conducted during the school day. In addition, Bucks County Community College provides a High School Enrichment program for students seeking further opportunities.

A Zoom link will be sent to the email used for registration shortly before the event begins.

For additional information, please visit: https://events.bucks.edu/event/bucks.events.663776.

The Bucks County Area Agency on Aging is inviting seniors who enjoy camaraderie, competition, and fun to register for the Bucks County Senior Games.

The 42nd annual games will begin with a Kickoff Event on Wednesday, May 28 at the Newtown Campus of Bucks County Community College. Competitions will take place from Thursday, June 5, through Thursday, June 12 at senior centers and other locations across the county.

The Senior Games are open to all individuals aged 50 and older, regardless of skill or ability level.

Registration includes a Senior Games t-shirt and lapel pin. The Kickoff Event will feature activities and a free lunch, provided by Independence Blue Cross. Registration for the games and the Kickoff Event closes at 4 p.m. on May 15.

Events include biking, cornhole, table tennis, pickleball, bocce, chess, bowling, and more. A full schedule of events is available on the Senior Games webpage.

For more information or to register, call (267) 880-5700 or visit

BucksCounty.gov/SeniorGames.

Join us from 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, April 5 at Warminster Community Park for our spring Shred Event. The event will be held at the entrance located at 350 E. Bristol Rd.
 

This is an opportunity for individuals to securely shred office-based materials and small fasteners. Please note that this event is for personal use only and is not intended for businesses.
 

RSVP is required. To reserve your spot, please visit my website or call us at (215) 323-6997.

We look forward to seeing you there.

To make my office’s constituent services as widely available as possible, I've established remote office hours at local township buildings around the district.

We are at the following locations from 10 a.m. – noon on the days indicated:

• Warminster Township Building: First Tuesday every month; next is April 1
• Ivyland Borough: Second Tuesday every month; next is April 8
• Warrington Township Building: Third Tuesday every month; next is April 15
• Warminster Library: Third Wednesday every month; next is April 16

To help focus on specific needs, my staff and I have established specialty hours where outside experts come in to help guide our residents.  An appointment is needed for these hours. Please call (215) 323-6997 to schedule.

• Advance Care Planning, First Wednesday every month; next is  April 2
• Veterans Services (9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.)  Second Monday every month; next is April 14
• Human Services (with the Bucks County Hub), Final Tuesday every month; next is April 29

I hope you found this edition of my e-newsletter useful. I’d love your feedback on what parts you find valuable and how we could improve – please email your thoughts to me at RepMunroe@pahouse.net.

Pennsylvania State Capitol

104-B East Wing

Harrisburg, PA 17120

(717) 772-1983

District Office

1410A West Street Rd.
Warminster, PA 18974

(215) 323-6997