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In this Update:
Journey to Justice at the Capitol, Alice’s Law Introduced Ahead of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
Lynn Fiedler’s mother, Alice Longenberger, endured horrific abuse in a Union County care facility by two young people ultimately charged with 34 counts of abuse, all only misdemeanors. Alice’s experience is the basis for legislation I have worked with Lynn to introduce, known as Alice’s Law, to establish an Elder Abuse Registry, as well as a bill to increase the penalties for abuse and neglect of a care-dependent person from a misdemeanor to a felony. A third measure would establish an employment review process for individuals seeking positions involving direct care of an older adult. Lynn founded Journey to Justice, a non-profit based in Selinsgrove, in memory of her mother to protect older adults through advocacy, education, and awareness. On Tuesday, she, her family, and Alice’s Army joined me, fellow lawmakers and others at the Capitol for a press conference to draw attention to this important issue ahead of World Elder Abuse Awareness, which is Monday, June 15. I also had the pleasure of sitting down with Lynn for a conversation to help further share Alice’s story, and during Senate Session I introduced her and her family as guests and spoke about World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. Education Committee Approves Bills to Help CTE Students, Boost School Vision Screening
The Senate Education Committee, which I chair, approved three bills on Tuesday to boost career and technical education (CTE), identify student vision problems earlier and give school districts the opportunity to offer a seal of biliteracy on diplomas. Senate Bill 366 would temporarily waive the requirement that CTE programs end only in 12th grade. The change would allow students to take their end-of-program assessment earlier and free up seats for more CTE students. Senate Bill 720 would require a comprehensive eye health exam performed by an ophthalmologist or optometrist before a child is admitted to school for the first time. House Bill 1877 would give school districts the opportunity to offer a seal of biliteracy on diplomas of students who are fluent in English and another language. Biliteracy can improve the job prospects of students and make Pennsylvania’s workforce more competitive. These measures are designed to help position students for success in school and beyond. I’m pleased the committee gave its backing and advanced them in the legislative process. The bills now move toward consideration by the full Senate. Education Committee Meeting Video Scouting America Presents Report to the Commonwealth
It was an honor to join Rep. Justin Fleming of Dauphin County in welcoming more than 150 Scouts from across Pennsylvania to the state Capitol on Monday for Scouting America’s annual Report to the Commonwealth. We held a ceremony highlighting the service, leadership development, civic engagement and community contributions of Scouting America. Highlights from the report include:
Additionally, the Scouts were granted permission to participate in Senate Session with a scout serving as the guest chaplain, another leading the Pledge of Allegiance and together presenting the report to Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward and leading the scouts seated in the gallery in reciting the Scout Oath and Law. The commitment of these young men and women to personal growth and helping their communities is worth celebrating, and I am grateful for the opportunity to recognize their contributions at the Capitol. Please take a few minutes to watch this video that highlights the scouts’ day at the Capitol. You can also watch the full ceremony and Senate Session. Culver Bill Strengthening Medical Imaging Standards Approved by Committee
Medical imaging – such as MRIs or x-rays – are essential to diagnosing and treating a wide range of medical conditions and rely on radiation to do so. Performed incorrectly, these tests can cause serious harm to patients. Yet, the individuals performing these procedures are not required to be licensed under Pennsylvania law. We are one of only four states that do no have a licensure or certification framework for these professionals, which is why I introduced Senate Bill 1334 to create a new state license for medical imaging professionals in Pennsylvania. On Wednesday, the Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee advance the bill to the full Senate. A statewide standard ensures every patient can feel confident they are receiving care that meets clear and consistent levels of professional competency. You can watch my remarks on the bill as well as the full committee meeting. Nuclear Caucus Holds Briefing, Hears from Team PA on Nuclear Energy Roadmap
As a Senate Co-Chair of the Pennsylvania Nuclear Caucus, I joined fellow members at a briefing on Wednesday to hear from Team Pennsylvania about their recently released “Nuclear Energy Roadmap”. With rising energy costs and increasing demand, Team Pennsylvania, a non-partisan organization focused on the commonwealth’s long term economic future, is leading the charge on a strategic plan to expand our nuclear energy capacity. Over the next 25 years, the proposal looks to utilize existing nuclear infrastructure, along with emerging technologies, and continue to grow the necessary workforce to build, operate, and maintain the nuclear operations. Shamokin Resident Retires After 32 Years of Dedicated Service with the Senate
It was an honor to recognize lifelong Shamokin resident Nick Spock on the Senate floor during session on Wednesday as he said farewell after 32 years of dedicated service to the Senate and the people of Pennsylvania. Nick served as a PennDOT Support Specialist, providing assistance to senators and staff responding to constituent needs. In his role, he assisted my office at our most recent license plate replacement event held in Selinsgrove. His professionalism, helpfulness and attention to detail were always very much appreciated by my staff and the constituents we serve. I also had the pleasure of helping Nick’s family surprise him, as he didn’t know they were coming to Harrisburg to help celebrate this milestone. They are all so proud of him. Please take a minute to watch my floor remarks about Nick and all of his accomplishments. While he will be missed in the Senate, we are all so happy for him as he heads into this next chapter. How Sweet: Miss Kiss Comes to the Capitol
Miss Kiss visited the Capitol on Tuesday as part of the student-led initiative to designate the Hershey’s Kiss as Pennsylvania’s official state candy. This has been a multi-legislative session effort with the students bringing forth the idea when they were in 8th grade, and now they are sophomores in college. Their journey has been a true lesson in the legislative process. What may sound like a straight-forward idea can bring a great deal of opposition, especially in a state like Pennsylvania with several big-name candy manufacturers. Two of the students joined Miss Kiss to continue their advocacy efforts on the current legislation, House Bill 1030, which passed the House and is before the Senate. There is also a Senate companion, Senate Bill 667, which I am a co-sponsor of. Helping Children “Start Strong”
On Tuesday, I joined Start Strong PA in showing my support for our youngest learners and the need for quality childcare programs, which are the foundation for many children’s education. As chair of the Senate Education Committee, it is important to look at the full picture of what students need to succeed, and it starts even before they begin their formal schooling. Senate Passes Bill to Fight Human Trafficking
Legislation to give investigators and prosecutors new tools to fight human trafficking in Pennsylvania was passed by the Senate. Senate Bill 45 will help local law enforcement agencies and the state attorney general investigate and prosecute human trafficking by increasing penalties for several related crimes, including promoting prostitution, promoting prostitution of a minor, exploiting prostitutes and patronizing prostitutes. The bill also consolidates crimes related to human trafficking within the Crimes Code, giving the attorney general concurrent jurisdiction so these crimes, which are frequently the basis for large-scale human trafficking organizations, can be prosecuted more effectively. It now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration. If you believe you may have information about a trafficking situation, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888. Read more about our latest action to combat human trafficking here. Bill Targeting Dangerous Fentanyl Additive Passes Senate
The Senate passed legislation to combat the increasing illicit use of the veterinary anesthesia medetomidine by regulating it as a Schedule III controlled substance. Senate Bill 866 provides law enforcement and public health officials with another tool to combat dangerous drug adulterants while including clear exemptions to ensure veterinarians can continue using the medication in the care and treatment of animals. Medetomidine has rapidly overtaken xylazine as a common adulterant in Pennsylvania’s illicit drug supply. While medetomidine was not detected in samples collected in early 2024, it was found in approximately 80% of adulterants sold as fentanyl in Pennsylvania by April 2026. The drug is estimated to be significantly more potent than xylazine and can cause severe cardiovascular complications, even after naloxone has been administered. The General Assembly passed legislation to make xylazine a Schedule III drug in 2024. The bill now advances to the House of Representatives for consideration. Read more about the measure here. PA Guard Military Family Education Program
As students begin preparing for the fall semester, Pennsylvania National Guard members are reminded their families could be eligible for assistance to offset the cost of higher education. The Military Family Education Program is for Guard members who completed an initial service obligation on or after July 1, 2019, and is eligible to reenlist in the PA National Guard for a period of six years. The grants can be used for a degree-granting or certificate-granting curriculum, course of study, or training program required for entrance into a specific career at an approved Pennsylvania institution of higher learning. Read more details and find applications here. Enter the PA Agriculture Photo Contest – Deadline is June 30th
Pennsylvania residents have until June 30 to submit entries in the 2026 Pennsylvania Agriculture Photo Contest. Submit up to four original photos highlighting the people, places, traditions and beauty of agriculture across our region or the commonwealth. Winning photos will be displayed in the Pennsylvania Capitol Complex during the first weeks of September. The categories are On the Farm, PA Fair Season, Agritourism, and Conservation. Click here for rules and how to submit your photos. |
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