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In this Update:
Three Prime-Sponsored Bills Now Signed Into Law
Three bills I sponsored received final legislative approval this week have now been signed by the governor into law. Senate Bill 1183, jointly sponsored with Sen. Nick Pisciottano, would update financial reporting requirements for charitable organizations, including raising the annual contribution threshold requiring an independent audit from $750,000 to $1 million. Senate Bill 838 would clarify oversight of schools and education providers already approved by the State Real Estate Commission or State Board of Certified Real Estate Appraisers, helping prevent duplicative regulatory requirements. Senate Bill 1334, also jointly sponsored with Sen. Pisciottano, would establish statewide licensing, education and training standards for medical imaging professionals, radiation therapists and radiologist assistants. These bills address practical needs for nonprofits, education providers and patients, and I appreciate my colleagues’ support in getting them through the legislative process. View Senate Bill 1183 on PAlegis.us. View Senate Bill 838 on PAlegis.us. View Senate Bill 1334 on PAlegis.us. Alice’s Law Passes the Senate
Alice’s Law took another major step forward this week with passage by the Pennsylvania Senate. Senate Bill 807 would establish a statewide Older Adult Abuse Registry to help prevent individuals who abuse older or care-dependent Pennsylvanians from moving between caregiving positions without that history being known. The bill is named in memory of Alice Longenberger, who endured abuse while receiving care at a facility. Her daughter, Lynn Fiedler, founded Journey to Justice and has continued advocating for stronger protections for older adults in her mother’s memory. The Senate also approved Senate Bill 1415, which complements Alice’s Law by strengthening penalties for certain abuse, neglect and institutional sexual assault offenses against care-dependent people. I appreciate Lynn’s continued advocacy and my colleagues’ support in moving both measures forward. Senate Bill 807 and Senate Bill 1415 now advance to the House of Representatives for consideration. View Senate Bill 807 on PAlegis.us. View Senate Bill 1415 on PAlegis.us. Senate Votes to Provide Lifetime No-Contact Orders for Victims
A measure to provide lifetime no-contact orders for victims of certain serious or violent offenses was approved by the Senate. Under current law, victims must go to court to renew no-contact protections each time they expire. Without renewal, an offender may once again attempt to contact the victim, even though the conviction, and the harm that made the protection necessary, has not changed. Unwanted contact can retraumatize victims, especially survivors of rape and other sexually violent offenses, including offenses involving the abuse or exploitation of children. Senate Bill 1484 allows a judge, upon the request of the victim or prosecutor, to issue a permanent order prohibiting the defendant from contacting the victim. The order could be terminated or modified at the victim’s request or if the underlying conviction is overturned, dismissed or otherwise legally invalidated. View Senate Bill 1484 on PAlegis.us. Read more about lifetime no-contact orders on PASenateGOP.com. Senate Bills to Help Local Nonprofits Are Now Law
Two bills were signed into law this week to help local nonprofits, including American Legion posts, VFWs and fire companies, by expanding fundraising opportunities, allowing organizations to retain more of the money they raise and providing additional ways to accept raffle ticket payments. Senate Bill 416 would allow eligible nonprofit organizations to accept electronic payments, including credit cards, debit cards and payments through platforms such as PayPal and Venmo, for raffle tickets. Current law limits these transactions to cash or checks, restricting organizations’ ability to accommodate supporters who increasingly rely on electronic payment methods. Organizations would still be required to verify raffle ticket purchasers are at least 18 years old. The bill does not authorize online gaming or live drawings. Senate Bill 398 would allow fire companies with a Small Games of Chance license to conduct online raffles, with restrictions ensuring that participants are in Pennsylvania and at least 18 years old, through a pilot program ending Dec. 31, 2027. In addition, the bill would permit organizations to retain 50% of their small games of chance income, up from the current 40%. The remainder would continue to be donated to public interest purposes. The bill would also increase the prize limit for small games of chance conducted by a licensed eligible organization in any seven-day period from $35,000 to $60,000 — the first increase since 2013. View Senate Bill 416 on PAlegis.us. Read more about Senate Bill 416 on PASenateGOP.com. View Senate Bill 398 on PAlegis.us. Read more about Senate Bill 398 on PASenateGOP.com. New Law Protects Animals from Painful Experimentation
Legislation to protect dogs and cats from painful, taxpayer-funded experiments has been approved by the General Assembly and signed into law. The protections in Senate Bill 381, the Beagle Bill, would make Pennsylvania the 18th state to grant dogs and cats an opportunity to be adopted into a loving home after experiments are over, prohibit the sale of cosmetics that have been newly tested on animals, prevent the expenditure of commonwealth funds on painful experiments and more. View Senate Bill 381 on PAlegis.us. Read more about the Beagle Bill on PASenateGOP.com. Stronger Reporting Requirements for AI-Generated Child Sexual Abuse Material
The Senate voted to better protect young people against the serious threats posed by child sexual abuse materials generated using artificial intelligence (AI). The bill was approved by the House of Representatives and is headed for enactment into law. House Bill 2474 would require mandated reporters to report all instances of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) they become aware of, including those produced by a minor. This applies to teachers, childcare workers, healthcare providers and other individuals responsible for caring for children. The legislation, which was introduced in April, mirrors the language in Senate Bill 1050, a bill the Senate passed in November 2025. The legislation also adds hazing to Pennsylvania’s mandatory reporting guidelines. Hazing is not currently considered child abuse under Pennsylvania law when one child commits that crime against another. View House Bill 2474 on PAlegis.us. View Senate Bill 1050 on PAlegis.us. Read more about child abuse reporting requirements on PASenateGOP.com. Senate Remembers Dick Knoebel
During Senate session this week, I presented a condolence resolution honoring the life and legacy of Richard “Dick” Knoebel, who passed away in July at the age of 87. Dick spent much of his life helping preserve and strengthen the traditions of Knoebels Amusement Resort in Elysburg. He became president of the park in 1988 and spent nearly four decades helping guide its growth while maintaining the qualities that have made Knoebels part of generations of family memories. His life extended well beyond the park. Dick served our country as an aircraft maintenance officer in the United States Marine Corps, was an Eagle Scout and held leadership roles within the amusement park industry, including induction into the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions Hall of Fame. His legacy will continue through his family, the Knoebels team and the countless families who will continue making memories at the park for generations to come. My condolences remain with the Knoebel family and everyone who had the privilege of knowing Dick. Virtual Data Center Update Set for Oct. 26
I am hosting a virtual Data Center Update with Penn State Extension on Monday, Oct. 26, from 6 to 7 p.m. The informational session will cover current data center technologies, trends and emerging best practices to help residents and community leaders better understand this rapidly evolving industry. The event will be available through Zoom and Facebook Live. Registration is required to receive the Zoom link, and questions will be accepted from participants joining through Zoom. Register for the Data Center Update on Zoom. Veterans Telephone Town Hall Planned for Nov. 10
I will host a Telephone Town Hall focused on veterans on Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 6 p.m., featuring American Legion Department Service Officer Bill McGovern. Bill provides monthly veterans assistance through our district office and will join me to discuss veterans’ benefits, available services and other issues affecting those who have served. Veterans, their families and anyone with questions about veterans’ services are encouraged to participate. The event will be held the evening before Veterans Day and residents can join by telephone from home. Sign up to receive the Veterans Telephone Town Hall call on SenatorCulver.com. “Homeless in the Valley” Premiere and Community Discussion Nov. 19
I am partnering with Central Susquehanna Opportunities, Inc. for the premiere of “Homeless in the Valley” on Thursday, Nov. 19, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Pine Barn Inn in Danville. Produced by Stone State Entertainment, the short film shares the stories of neighbors experiencing homelessness in our region. Following the screening, a panel discussion will explore local homelessness, community needs and opportunities to strengthen partnerships. Understanding homelessness begins with listening to the people experiencing it. This event will give residents an opportunity to hear those stories and take part in a broader community conversation. The event is sponsored by the Charles and Betty Degenstein and the Charles B. Degenstein Foundation. Register by Nov. 12 for “Homeless in the Valley” on the CSO website. Congratulating Girl Scout Gold Award Recipient Brooke Goy
I welcomed Brooke Goy to the Pennsylvania Senate this week and recognized her for earning the Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest honor presented by Girl Scouts of the USA. Brooke is a member of Girl Scout Troop 32907. For her Gold Award project, she rehabilitated an area of land in the Mountain Top region by planting new trees and educating the community about wildfire prevention. Her project demonstrates the leadership, service and dedication required to earn the Gold Award. Congratulations to Brooke and her parents, Paul and Nancy Goy, on this outstanding accomplishment. Welcoming Our Intern Gabe Haines to the Senate
It was a pleasure to welcome our intern, Gabe Haines of Danville, to the Pennsylvania Senate this week. Gabe attends Commonwealth University-Bloomsburg, where he is double majoring in Political Science and Communication Studies with a concentration in Leadership and Public Advocacy. He is also a member of the Honors College, a Board of Governors Scholar and vice president of the university’s Model United Nations chapter. Before joining our team, Gabe gained additional public service experience through an internship with PennDOT in Montour County and by serving as a poll worker in Columbia County. We appreciate everything Gabe has contributed during his internship and his continued interest in public service. Celebrating Margaret Wilkinson’s 100th Birthday
Congratulations to Margaret Faye Wilkinson, who celebrated her 100th birthday on Oct. 16. Margaret is the oldest of 16 children and grew up working alongside her siblings on the family farm. Over the years, she worked at Boyer’s Meat Market, County Kitchen and Troutman’s Meats at the Gratz Auction, where she continued working until the age of 92. Faith and community have also remained important throughout her life. Margaret has been a member of David’s United Church of Christ in Hebe for 84 years and has volunteered with organizations including Haven Ministry in Sunbury. Margaret is the proud grandmother of 18 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren. It was an honor to recognize Margaret with a Senate citation and celebrate a century built around family, faith, hard work and service. Priestley-Forsyth Memorial Library Celebrates 100 Years
The Priestley-Forsyth Memorial Library in Northumberland celebrated its 100th anniversary, marking a century of service to the community. The library opened in 1926 after Frances Priestley Forsyth and Mary Forsyth Herr donated the building in honor of their families. The building itself dates back to the early 1800s and has served as a home, an inn and a family residence during its long history. Over the past century, the library has continued to grow and evolve, adding thousands of books, new facilities and programs for children, teenagers and adults. It was also listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1981. I was honored to present a Senate citation recognizing this milestone and the generations of staff, volunteers, board members and community supporters who have helped make the library an important part of Northumberland for the past 100 years. |
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