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In this Update:
Clean Air Preservation Act Roundtable
On Friday, I held a fantastic roundtable discussion with Jolie Diane, a leading expert in weather modification. We will dive into the significant importance of the Clean Air Preservation Act and discuss its importance for the future of our Commonwealth. Please click the video above to watch the roundtable discussion. Working Animal Appreciation Day June 10
I am hosting Working Animal Appreciation Day on Tuesday, June 10th, with a news conference at 11:30 a.m. at the intersection of Commonwealth Avenue and Soldiers Grove at the Capitol Complex, Harrisburg. I am working with Senate colleagues and the Pennsylvania State Working Animal Foundation to recognize the police and military K-9 units; search and rescue dogs and horses; services dogs and therapy animals. I will be joined by Terri Heck of Summit Search and Rescue, Jen Snyder and Dingo of PA Canine Search and Rescue, and Shelby Wietrzykowski and Ruby of the PA Department of Agriculture. The event will feature a special appearance by K-9 Detective Briggs, a dog that has worked with the Pennsylvania Game Commission, local police departments, the U.S. Marshal and Secret Service agencies, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Briggs is credited with assisting in the apprehension of arson and armed robbery suspects. Working animal exhibitors representing organizations across the commonwealth will be available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to explain the valuable roles animals can play in our lives. During the event, the PA Dairyman’s Association Milkshake on the Moove Truck will sell milkshakes for $6 with proceeds benefitting agricultural scholarships, youth programs and educational programs across the commonwealth. 250th Army Birthday Event
Join me on Monday, June 9, at noon in the Main Rotunda of the State Capitol to celebrate the 250th Birthday of the United States Army. As a retired U.S. Army Colonel with 30 years of service, I will be joined by fellow Army veterans serving in the Pennsylvania House and Senate. The keynote address will be delivered by Colonel Gerald York (U.S. Army, Ret.), grandson of legendary World War I hero Sergeant Alvin C. York, known for his extraordinary valor in combat. Sgt. York, then a 29-year-old corporal, distinguished himself during the largest series of battles fought by American forces in World War I. Armed with only a rifle and a handgun, he was credited with killing up to 25 enemy soldiers and capturing 132 others. All U.S. Army Veterans are invited to attend. Please register online. A meet and greet with Colonel York will be held beforehand at 11 a.m. in Hearing Room 3 of the North Office Building. Help us honor the proud legacy of the U.S. Army and those who have served! Senate Bill 89 Passed in the House VAEP Committee
My bill, Senate Bill 89, strengthens Pennsylvania’s response to the overdose crisis by expanding the Overdose Mapping Act to include emergency medical services (EMS) providers. The bill ensures that EMS professionals—who are often first on the scene—report known or suspected overdoses within 72 hours through an approved information technology platform. This change enhances real-time data sharing between EMS, law enforcement, and public health agencies, helping communities more effectively track and respond to overdose trends. By improving the accuracy and timeliness of overdose data, SB 89 empowers local and state officials to allocate resources, identify hotspots, and take preventive action faster. The bill passed the Senate unanimously and has been referred to the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee for further consideration. SB 89 represents a collaborative, data-driven approach to saving lives and combating Pennsylvania’s ongoing overdose epidemic. The following link provides details on Senate Bill 89: Senate Bill 130 Heads to the House Floor
My bill, Senate Bill 130, is a proactive and compassionate measure designed to support the families of deceased service members. The bill requires funeral directors, funeral entities, and certain cemetery companies to notify the county director of veterans affairs within 96 hours of receiving the remains of a deceased serviceperson. This prompt communication helps ensure that families are quickly connected with burial benefits and other essential veterans services. SB 130 has received strong bipartisan support, passing the Senate unanimously and clearing the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee with unanimous approval. It now moves to the full House for consideration. This legislation reflects Pennsylvania’s ongoing commitment to honoring its veterans by ensuring their families receive the respect, support, and resources they are due during a time of loss. The following link provides details on Senate Bill 130: Senate Votes to Preserve Prescription Assistance for Seniors
Legislation to protect thousands of Pennsylvania seniors from losing access to life-sustaining prescriptions passed the Senate unanimously. Senate Bill 731 would exclude Social Security cost-of-living adjustments from income eligibility calculations for the PACE and PACENET programs. The bill would extend the current exclusion from the end of this year to Dec. 31, 2027. Funded by the Pennsylvania Lottery, the PACE and PACENET programs have provided hundreds of thousands of adults 65 and older with low-cost prescriptions. It now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration. Bill to Strengthen Enforcement of PFA Orders Passes Senate
The Senate unanimously approved legislation to improve the enforcement of Protection from Abuse (PFA) petitions and orders and properly reimburse law enforcement agencies. A longstanding imbalance in the law directs a portion of PFA-related court fees to county sheriffs, even when local police departments or state troopers process the paperwork. Senate Bill 302 would require sheriffs to transfer the $25 service fee collected through the existing surcharge to the agency completing the service. The bill would also address a critical safety concern and reinforce professional enforcement standards by authorizing only sheriffs or trained law enforcement officers – not private individuals – to serve PFAs. The bill now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration. Senate Approves Bill to Improve Access to Stroke Resources
The Senate unanimously passed legislation that would improve access to stroke resources. Senate Bill 411 would establish a statewide stroke registry administered and maintained by the Pennsylvania Department of Health. The registry would improve patient outcomes by giving emergency medical service providers, hospital stroke teams and other health care providers additional resources. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, strokes are the fifth-leading cause of death in the United States. Each year, more than 795,000 people experience a stroke. The bill now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration. Hand-Held Cell Phone Ban for Motorists Now in Effect
A law to increase safety on Pennsylvania roads passed by Senate Republicans that makes it illegal to use a handheld cell phone while driving is now in effect. Use is also prohibited when a vehicle is stopped in traffic or at a red light. Drivers may talk using hands-free devices, but holding a phone to make a call, text, get driving directions or check social media is now a citable offense. For the next year, officers may issue written warnings. Formal citations will be issued beginning June 6, 2026. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, distracted drivers were involved in more than 11,000 crashes in Pennsylvania in 2023, outpacing the number of crashes caused by impaired drivers. 23andMe Consumers Can Still Protect Their Information
While 23andMe has filed for bankruptcy, consumers should know they still have rights. Notably, if a consumer’s personal or genetic information was exposed in the 2023 data breach, they may file a claim electronically by July 14. People may also wish to delete their profiles and accounts to ensure their personal data is erased from the 23andMe system and not sold as part of the bankruptcy process. Attorney General Dave Sunday says consumers can learn how to delete their genetic data from 23andMe, destroy their 23andMe test sample and revoke permission for their genetic data to be used for research here. Remembering D-Day and Those Who Gave Everything
In one of the most important military actions in history, the Allies began the liberation of Western Europe on June 6, 1944. Each year, there are fewer surviving D-Day veterans, which makes it even more important that we preserve their legacy through education. We must never forget the more than 2,500 Americans who lost their lives turning the tide in World War II. The cost of freedom is high, and they gave everything to defend it for all of us.
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