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In this Update:
Beagle Bill Becomes Law
The Beagle Bill, legislation I championed with Sen. Carolyn Comitta (D-19) to protect dogs and cats from painful, taxpayer-funded experiments, has been approved by the General Assembly with overwhelming bipartisan support and is now law. The protections in the 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. The Beagle Bill will protect animals, respect Pennsylvania taxpayers and keep our government transparent. It never would have made it to this point without the passion of advocates like Kristen Tullo, Anita Archambeau, Heidi Prescott, Adams County SPCA in Gettysburg and Phoebe the Beagle! William Penn Day
Celebrating William Penn Day at the Pennsylvania State Capitol! It was a tremendous honor to host William Penn Day at the Capitol, celebrating the extraordinary legacy of Pennsylvania’s founder and the principles of faith, freedom, and religious liberty upon which our Commonwealth was established! I was especially proud to have my beautiful wife, Rebbie, speak at this special event, alongside Dr. Richard Brink, Jon Faus, and Representative Stephanie Borowicz. William Penn’s vision of a Commonwealth founded on religious freedom, justice, and respect for individual liberty continues to inspire us more than 300 years later. A special thank-you to the wonderful homeschool families who traveled from all across Pennsylvania to join us! It was especially encouraging to see so many young people learning about our Commonwealth’s remarkable history and the principles upon which it was founded. Thank you to everyone who joined us to honor this important chapter of Pennsylvania’s history. May we never forget the faith and courage that helped shape our great Commonwealth! God bless Pennsylvania! Senate Chamber Tour
I had the pleasure of giving these wonderful families a tour of the Senate Chamber, sharing some of its history and offering a firsthand look at where the legislative process takes place. It was especially encouraging to see so many bright, curious young people taking an interest in our government, our history, and the freedoms we cherish. A special thank-you to all the homeschool parents for your dedication to educating the next generation and for making the trip to Harrisburg! It was an honor to spend time with you all! God bless you and your families! Happy 100th Birthday Amy!
Happy 100th Birthday to Amy! Born in Hopewell, PA, Amy built a beautiful life centered on faith, family, and hard work. She worked for the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and later J. Schoeneman Company. She also enjoyed playing piano at church, volunteering with Boy and Girl Scouts, and oil painting with her late husband, Eugene. Together, they raised four children and were blessed with grandchildren and great-grandchildren. It was my honor to present Amy with a Senate citation recognizing her 100th birthday and celebrating her remarkable life and legacy! Connecting with DCNR at Buchanan State Forest
My staff recently had the opportunity to tour the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) at Buchanan Forest District and learn more about the incredible work they do to protect our natural resources and provide outdoor recreation opportunities throughout our region. From forest management and wildlife habitat conservation to maintaining trails and improving public access, DCNR plays an important role in preserving Pennsylvania’s natural beauty for generations to come. We encourage everyone to check out Buchanan State Forest and discover all it has to offer! Whether you enjoy hiking scenic trails, exploring the outdoors, learning about forestry and conservation, or simply spending time in nature, there are plenty of opportunities to get outside and enjoy our public lands. Buchanan Forest District Resource Management Center A big thank-you to the DCNR Buchanan Forest District team for their hospitality and for the important work they do to care for our forests and natural resources. Get outside, explore Pennsylvania’s public lands, and see what Buchanan State Forest has to offer! Rededication of Gettysburg – IFA
I had the honor and privilege of speaking at the Rededication of Gettysburg IFA and The American Spiritual Heritage Project at historic Gettysburg! Gettysburg is sacred ground, where courage, sacrifice, and faith helped shape the destiny of our nation. It was a wonderful opportunity to reflect on America’s spiritual heritage, honor those who sacrificed for our freedoms, and reaffirm the biblical principles upon which our great nation was founded. May we never forget our history, the sacrifices of those who came before us, and the providence of Almighty God in America’s remarkable story. Veteran Service Officer Meetings
VETERAN SERVICES – CHAMBERSBURG DISTRICT OFFICE ** Our NEXT available appointment date is THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2026 ** On the third Thursday of each month, a Veteran Service Officer with the Pennsylvania American Legion will be available BY APPOINTMENT ONLY at my Chambersburg District Office to assist veterans and their families. Assistance is available with: State and Education Benefits Military Personnel and Medical Records Compensation and Pension Claims Burial and Survivor benefits Enrollment in the VA Health Care System. Chambersburg District Office Email: dmastriano@pasen.gov *Please note: Office hours are BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. Please call or email to schedule an appointment. Our NEXT available appointment date is THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2026 If you served our nation, we are here to serve you. Monthly Photo Submission
Monthly Photo Submission! Show Us What Makes Adams & Franklin Counties Special! Our communities are filled with incredible people, beautiful landscapes, historic places, and unforgettable moments. I want to help showcase the very best of Adams and Franklin Counties through a new Photo of the Month Contest! Whether it’s a breathtaking sunrise, a family farm, a community event, a veteran being honored, a historic landmark, wildlife, or a special moment that captures the spirit of our region, I encourage you to submit your favorite photos. At the end of each month, I will personally review the submissions and select a Photo of the Month. The chosen photo will be featured on my social media platforms, and the photographer will be recognized for their outstanding work. This is a great opportunity to celebrate the people, places, and moments that make Adams and Franklin Counties such wonderful places to live, work, and raise a family. Submit your best photos by clicking on the link provided and help tell the story of our communities! I look forward to seeing our counties through your lens. Throwback!
Throwback to Veterans Day 2017! One of those special days that Rebbie and I will always treasure. I had the privilege of delivering the Veterans Day keynote address at Sgt. Alvin C. York State Historic Park in Tennessee. Here we are with our dear friend, Colonel Gerald York (U.S. Army, Ret.), grandson of the legendary Sergeant Alvin C. York. Having spent years researching and writing about Alvin York, it was especially meaningful to stand on the ground he called home, honor his remarkable legacy, and share the occasion with his family. Great memories, wonderful friends, and a special reminder of the generations of Americans who have answered the call to serve. God bless our Veterans! Fighting for Affordable Energy
Rising energy costs have put added pressure on Pennsylvania families and businesses and must be addressed. This legislative session, I made it a priority to prevent new energy taxes and support energy development that strengthens reliability and helps bring costs down. As part of the 2025-26 budget agreement, I worked with my colleagues to eliminate Pennsylvania’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) – a multi-state pact that would have added more than a billion dollars in new electricity taxes. I also supported Senate passage of legislation eliminating the gross receipts tax on electric bills, which would save ratepayers more than $1.7 billion over the first year. Unfortunately, the House of Representatives never approved the tax cut we added to House Bill 1667. Because lack of energy development drives up costs, the Senate passed legislation to reduce Pennsylvania’s electric generation shortfall and expand energy development. Senate Bill 704 directs the state departments of Community and Economic Development and Environmental Protection to work together to identify suitable sites for natural gas electric generation projects. The House also failed to act on this measure. I will continue fighting for lower energy prices, supporting policies which will cut your costs. 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. Read more about this bill, known as “Kayleigh’s Law.” 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. Read more about Senate Bill 416. 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. Read more about Senate Bill 398. 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 legislation has now been signed 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. Read more about this legislation. House Fails to Protect Fairness in Women’s Sports
The Senate passed not one, but two bills to preserve opportunities for female athletes at public schools and colleges but the House of Representatives refused to vote on either. Senate Bill 1293 would require public schools and colleges to label sports teams as male, female or coed. The legislation states only biological females can join teams designated for women. The bill would also allow students to take legal action if they are harmed by violations of this rule. It’s similar to Senate Bill 9, which, like Senate Bill 1293, was passed by the Senate with bipartisan support. Since 2020 in Pennsylvania, men have stolen first place from female athletes 98 times and unjustly took second or third place 76 times. I’ll be working again to pass this commonsense measure in the next legislative session. How PA Makes Breast Cancer Detection and Care Accessible
Pennsylvania has two significant laws to make early breast cancer detection and follow-up care more accessible. Act 1 of 2023 is a comprehensive breast cancer supplemental screening and genetic testing law now fully in effect for individuals with increased risk factors who are insured under Pennsylvania law. It provides coverage for the following at no cost:
Act 52 of 2025 is a diagnostic breast imaging law that includes no-cost diagnostic mammograms, breast MRIs and ultrasounds for individuals of average risk or higher with state-regulated insurance. The law will be fully implemented by January 2028. When in full effect, it will provide coverage for the following at no cost:
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