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In this Update:
Join Me at Damaged License Plate Replacement EventsHas your license plate lost its reflectivity or is it peeling, discolored or unreadable from 50 feet away? Then join me at one of my two upcoming damaged license plate replacement events.
I am co-hosting the first damaged license plate replacement event with Rep. Michael Stender (R-108) on Thursday, Oct. 17, from 2-4 p.m. on the 200 block of Iron Street, Danville. Please register to attend this event by visiting Rep. Stender’s website.
I am hosting the second damaged license plate replacement event on Monday, Oct. 28, from 4-6 p.m. at the Susquehanna Valley Mall, 1 Susquehanna Valley Mall Drive, Selinsgrove. Please register to attend this event by visiting my website or calling 570-743-1918. There is no fee for this service and those who need a new license plate can receive help filling out the necessary paperwork. Please bring your vehicle registration card. Once the forms are submitted to PennDOT, the new replacement license plate will arrive by mail to the applicant’s home address. Elder Abuse Reform Advocate Visits Capitol
Lynn Fielder (left) from Snyder County joined me this week at the state Capitol. She is a fierce advocate for elder abuse reform, leading the charge to create Alice’s Law in memory of her mother, Alice Longenberger, who experienced horrific abuse by two aides in a senior care facility. Lynn was joined by her friend and fellow advocate, Kim Rigel (right). During their visit, we met with a group of senators and staff to hear Lynn’s story and to formulate ideas for legislation to address her concerns. Her story is just one of many from families who have entrusted others to care for loved ones, only to have that trust broken by heinous individuals committing criminal acts of abuse. We are working together to create safeguards for our seniors and protect them from potential abusers. Bill to Address Hospice Staffing Shortages One Step Away from Becoming Law
The Senate this week approved legislation I sponsored to address staffing shortages in hospice settings. The bill now heads to the governor’s desk to be signed into law. Senate Bill 1080 would enable licensed practical nurses (LPNs) working in a hospice setting to make death pronouncements. They currently lack this ability and other medical professionals must perform this task. The bill was amended in the House of Representatives to include enhanced language regarding the waiving of death certificate fees for members of the armed services and veterans, as well as their family members. New Office Hours in Elysburg
My office will be hosting office hours at St. Mark Lutheran Church, 225 N. Market St., Elysburg, on the third Friday of each month beginning on Oct. 18. Residents should call the Mount Carmel office at 570-339-5937 to reserve time with staff during the Elysburg outreach hours. Residents should use the entrance and parking lot on the Penn Avenue side of the church. Learn more about how we can help you at these office hours by reading the full article on my website. Pennsylvania Library Association Holds Annual Conference
As a lifelong supporter of libraries and the 2023 Pennsylvania Library Association Elected Official of the Year, I was proud to join the association at its annual conference. Libraries are community hubs that offer a wealth of resources and opportunities for fostering literacy and education. PA Fish and Boat Commission Wants Your Feedback
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) is looking for feedback on the new strategic plan for the management of trout fisheries. The full plan is available on the PFBC’s website. Feedback on the plan may be submitted by email with ‘Trout Plan’ indicated in the subject line. Fish and Boat Commission Accepting Grant Applications
The grant window for the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission’s Recruitment, Retention and Reactivation (R3) Grant Program is now open until Dec. 6. The R3 grant will reimburse qualifying organizations up to $25,000 for eligible expenses. The grant requires a minimum 25% match of total project costs. More information about the R3 Grant Program can be found on its website. Grants Available for Out-of-School Programs
The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) is offering a grant opportunity to support a range of eligible prevention-focused program activities and out-of-school time (OST) models for statewide or local projects for at-risk school-age populations in underrepresented or underserved communities. The 2024-25 Building Opportunity through Out-of-School Time (BOOST) Funding guidelines can be found on the PCCD’s website. The deadline to apply is Oct. 31. Legislation to Combat AI-Generated Deepfake Images of Minors in PA Set for Enactment
Legislation to combat “deepfake” images of minors and child sexual abuse materials generated by artificial intelligence (AI) received final legislative approval and is set for enactment into law. Senate Bill 1213 addresses the alarming rise in AI-generated deepfake sexual images of children and non-consenting adults. Currently, Pennsylvania law makes it illegal to share intimate images without consent but does not clearly address the use of AI deepfake technology for this purpose. This gap in our law leaves many vulnerable to a new form of digital abuse. The bill also prohibits AI from being utilized to generate child sexual abuse material, previously referred to as “child pornography,” which is not currently prohibited under law. In August, police in Lancaster County launched an investigation into a case of artificially generated nude photos that use the faces of more than 20 female teenage students. The district attorney said that in some cases charges can’t be filed because the images don’t involve actual children. Senate Bill 1213 seeks to close that loophole. Senate Committee Votes to be Prepared for Natural Disasters
As hurricanes Helene and Milton remind us of the importance of being prepared to respond to natural disasters and other emergencies, the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee advanced three bills to support Pennsylvania’s emergency responders. All three bills now advance to the full Senate for consideration. House Bill 843 would establish a second urban search and rescue team in western Pennsylvania. Funding for the team was included in this year’s state budget. The bridge collapse and East Palestine train derailment demonstrated the need for emergency response in minutes, not hours. House Bill 1304 would update the language in the 911 Law to increase penalties for misuse of the 911 system and ensure communications service providers report service outages as specified by the Federal Communications Commission or Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission. House Bill 2407 would update the state Fire and EMS Grant Program by enabling fire and EMS companies to use grants for preventative health measures, mental health awareness and treatment. The legislation also would allow testing after each of the four training modules that total 188 hours for the Firefighter 1 certification, as opposed to requiring firefighters to pass a cumulative test covering all modules as is currently the case. Finally, the bill would increase the thresholds that fire and EMS companies can borrow from the low-interest Fire and EMS Loan Program. PA’s Credit Rating Upgraded Because of Strong Budget Reserves
Pennsylvania received yet another upgrade to its credit rating because of strong budget reserves and prudent financial management. Moody’s Investor Services raised the rating to Aa2. The announcement was the fourth significant upgrade to the state’s financial outlook in the past 13 months. Previous upgrades helped Pennsylvania and its taxpayers save nearly $100 million during the December 2023 bond sale. We have been dedicated to building the state’s Rainy Day Fund, allocating nearly $740 million more in this year’s budget – bringing the total balance to more than $7 billion. Above the national average, the fund directly influenced the rating upgrades. What Do You Think of PennDOT’s Construction and Maintenance Services?
Motorists have until Tuesday, Oct. 22, to provide feedback regarding PennDOT’s construction and maintenance services via an online survey. The survey asks respondents how they receive PennDOT roadway information and how often PennDOT meets or exceeds expectations regarding construction and maintenance services. Respondents are also asked about experiences with reporting concerns to their department, and whether or how they use the state’s 511PA traveler information services. Act 1 of 2023
Act 1 of 2023, a landmark law we passed in Pennsylvania, eliminates all costs associated with screening breast MRI, ultrasound, genetic testing and counseling for individuals at high risk of breast cancer who are insured under state-regulated plans. High-risk factors include a personal or family history of breast cancer, abnormal breast screenings or dense breast tissue. Individuals with gene mutations like BRCA1 or BRCA2, or those with a first-degree relative carrying these mutations, are also covered for additional screenings and genetic counseling. The law will be fully in effect for all state-regulated insurance plans by the end of 2025, though many plans will begin coverage between 2024 and 2025. To find out if your plan qualifies, check with your insurer or employer’s human resources. For uninsured or underinsured women who need immediate screenings, Pennsylvania offers no-cost options through the Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program.
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