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In this Update:

• Remembering Former Senator Franklin Kury
• Three Prime-Sponsored Bills Advance in Legislative Process
• Sharing the Importance of Organ Donation
• Senate Acts to Strengthen Property Rights
• Congratulating Girl Scout Gold Award Recipient Carol Nagel
• School Bus Driver Safety Bill Approved by Senate
• Senate Passes Bill to Establish Animal Abuser Registry
• Meeting with Snyder and Montour County Farm Bureaus
• Touch-A-Truck Brings Families and First Responders Together
• Coffee with a Cop at the Capitol
• Measures Helping Nonprofit Fundraising Efforts Approved by Senate
• Standing with Breast Cancer Survivors

Remembering Former Senator Franklin Kury

Together with Senator Patty Kim of Dauphin County, I introduced a Senate condolence resolution this week honoring the life and legacy of former state Sen. Franklin Kury, who passed away in August at the age of 89.

Franklin and I shared a special connection to the communities we both had the privilege of representing. He was born in Sunbury, we grew up in the same community, attended the same local school system and our families went to the same church.

His legacy also remains part of Pennsylvania through his work on environmental protection, including the Environmental Rights Amendment to our state Constitution and the naming of Kury Point at Shikellamy State Park.

It was an honor to remember someone who was not only a predecessor in both the House and Senate, but also a friend of my family and our community.

Watch my Senate remarks honoring former Senator Franklin Kury on Vimeo.

Read the Condolence Resolution, SR 391.

Three Prime-Sponsored Bills Advance in Legislative Process

Three bills I sponsored moved forward this week, addressing nonprofit reporting requirements, medical imaging standards and protections for care-dependent Pennsylvanians.

Senate Bill 1183 would update financial reporting requirements to help reduce compliance costs for smaller charitable organizations. The bill advanced out of the House State Government Committee and is now before the House Appropriations Committee.

Senate Bill 1334 would establish statewide licensing standards for medical imaging professionals, radiation therapists and radiologist assistants. The bill was reported out of the House Professional Licensure Committee and now awaits further action by the House of Representatives.

Senate Bill 1415 would increase penalties for certain abuse, neglect and institutional sexual assault offenses against care-dependent people, building on the protections I have continued to pursue through Alice’s Law, Senate Bill 807, which would create an Elder Abuse registry. SB 1415 was approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee and now awaits further action by the full Senate. SB 807 was referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee this week.

I appreciate Sen. Nick Pisciottano’s partnership on Senate Bills 1183 and 1334 and my colleagues’ support in moving all three measures forward.

Sharing the Importance of Organ Donation

On Monday, I joined Rep. Zach Mako and the Gift of Life Donor Program to raise awareness about organ and tissue donation by co-hosting a Steps for Life press conference and advocacy walk around the Capitol complex.

Organ donation is deeply personal to me. I am a kidney transplant recipient, and my sister saved my life by becoming my living donor. I understand firsthand the difference one donor can make for a recipient and their family.

More than 6,000 Pennsylvanians are waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant. Thank you to Gift of Life and the many advocates who continue working to register donors, support transplant families and give hope to those still waiting.

Watch my remarks on the importance of organ donation on Vimeo.

Senate Acts to Strengthen Property Rights

Property rights are enshrined in both the U.S. and the Pennsylvania constitutions, and the Senate approved legislation to strengthen protections against warrantless entry onto private property by Pennsylvania Game Commission personnel.

Senate Bill 1431 would require Game Commission personnel to obtain a valid warrant before entering private property, including posted land, unless a judicially recognized exception to the warrant requirement applies.

Current law gives Game Commission personnel broad authority to enter land outside buildings, whether posted or otherwise. Senate Bill 1431 would place clear limits on that authority while preserving recognized exceptions to the warrant requirement. Read more about the effort to strengthen property rights.

Congratulating Girl Scout Gold Award Recipient Carol Nagel

I had the opportunity on Wednesday to welcome Carol Nagel of Berwick to the Pennsylvania Senate and recognize her for earning the Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest award presented by Girl Scouts of the USA.

Carol is a member of Girl Scout Troop 30508. For her Gold Award project, she painted a large mural in a high-traffic public area in Luzerne County highlighting seven habits for a healthy lifestyle.

Earning the Gold Award requires dedication, leadership and a commitment to making a positive difference in the community.

Congratulations to Carol on this outstanding accomplishment.

Watch my Senate introduction recognizing Carol Nagel on Vimeo.

School Bus Driver Safety Bill Approved by Senate

Approximately 1.5 million children are transported on school buses every day in Pennsylvania, and the Senate approved legislation aimed at keeping reckless bus drivers from getting behind the wheel.

Senate Bill 1262 would increase penalties for school bus drivers who transport children while under the influence of alcohol, a controlled substance or a dangerous combination of both. Read more about this school bus safety measure.

The latest Senate action follows passage last year of Senate Bill 65, which would increase the required stopping distance for drivers approaching from the opposite direction when a school bus is stopped with its red lights flashing. Both bills await passage in the House of Representatives.

Senate Passes Bill to Establish Animal Abuser Registry

The Senate approved Senate Bill 1311, known as Aimee’s Law, to help prevent convicted abusers from obtaining more animals by establishing a statewide animal abuser registry. The bill was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration.

People selling, transferring or offering dogs, cats or horses for adoption would be required to check the registry, which would be maintained by Pennsylvania State Police, and refuse placement with anyone listed. These requirements will help shelters, rescues and others placing animals in new homes identify convicted abusers before another animal is put at risk.

The legislation is named after a six-month-old husky found abandoned in a crate beneath a bridge in Erie during subzero temperatures. She was severely underweight, covered in filth and suffering from frostbite on all four paws. Despite the rescuers’ efforts to save her, Aimee did not survive. Read more about Aimee’s Law.

Meeting with Snyder and Montour County Farm Bureaus

I attended the Montour County Farm Bureau’s annual meeting this week, while members of my staff joined the Snyder County Farm Bureau for its annual meeting.

Both meetings provided opportunities to hear directly from local farmers about issues affecting agriculture, their communities and the work underway in Harrisburg.

I appreciate both Farm Bureaus for the invitations and for continuing to share the priorities and concerns of our agricultural community.

Touch-A-Truck Brings Families and First Responders Together

My staff joined families at Summit Early Learning’s fourth annual Touch-A-Truck event at Midd-West High School.

The event gave children and families an opportunity to see police vehicles, fire trucks and other equipment up close while meeting local first responders and community organizations.

Thank you to Summit Early Learning and everyone who helped provide a fun afternoon for families in the community.

Coffee with a Cop at the Capitol

My staff and I stopped by Coffee with a Cop in the Capitol’s East Wing Rotunda this week to spend time with members of the Pennsylvania Capitol Police.

The event provided an informal opportunity to talk with officers, learn more about their work and meet some of the people who help keep the Capitol community safe each day.

Thank you to the Capitol Police for hosting such a great event.

Measures Helping Nonprofit Fundraising Efforts Approved by Senate 

The Senate approved two bills to give a boost to civic organizations, fire companies, veterans’ groups and other Pennsylvania nonprofits that rely on small games of chance for crucial fundraising.  

Under current law, clubs and organizations are limited to awarding no more than $35,000 in prizes from small games of chance each week. That cap has not been updated since 2013, despite inflation and the rising costs of programs these organizations fund. 

Senate Bill 995 would raise the weekly limit to $60,000, ensuring local groups can continue generating the revenue they rely on to support vital community programs and services. Read more about this bill.  

Senate Bill 465 would allow licensed clubs to retain up to 50% of their small games of chance proceeds, up from the current 40%. Clubs would continue to be required to use at least 50% of proceeds for public interest purposes. The change would provide clubs with more flexibility to cover operating costs while continuing to support their communities. Read more about this measure.

The bills were sent to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Standing with Breast Cancer Survivors

I joined the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition at the State Capitol as the East Wing Fountain was turned pink to mark the beginning of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The annual event brings together survivors, families, advocates and health professionals to raise awareness about breast cancer and the importance of early detection.

Breast cancer affects families in every community across Pennsylvania. October is an important reminder to stay up to date on recommended screenings, talk with your health care provider about your individual risk and support those who are facing a diagnosis.

Thank you to the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition and everyone who continues working to expand awareness, access to screening and support for patients and families.