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In this Update:
Pennsylvanians Said No. The Health Department Finally Listened
On Sept. 25, the state Department of Health withdrew its rewrite of the commonwealth’s disease-control regulations after receiving more than 10,000 public comments opposing the changes. That is an extraordinary response, and a victory for the people of Pennsylvania. The citizens read what the government was proposing, remembered what happened during COVID-19 and spoke out, because we already fought this battle. In 2021, voters amended our state constitution to limit a governor’s disaster emergency declaration to 21 days unless the General Assembly extends it. The message from the people was clear: Emergency government must have limits, and the people’s elected representatives must have a voice. If additional public health authority is necessary, the Shapiro administration must make the case openly to the General Assembly and the public. They must not attempt to restore powers that Pennsylvanians voted to restrain through administrative regulation. SB 127 – Holocaust Education
My legislation would require Pennsylvania public schools to provide age-appropriate instruction on the Holocaust, genocide, and human rights violations. At a time of continuing antisemitism, educating the next generation about the systematic persecution and murder of six million Jews helps students understand where hatred and dehumanization can lead. My bill, SB 127, has passed the Senate Education Committee and received second consideration by the full Senate; it is now positioned for third consideration and final passage in the Senate. Come to the Table Event
What an honor to speak at the Come to the Table event at the Pennsylvania State Capitol on Saturday! It was a powerful time of worship, prayer, and fellowship, as we came together in faith to pray over our Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and our nation. I was also honored to present Ruth Willard with a Pennsylvania Freedom Medal in recognition of her tremendous work and dedicated service to others. Thank you to everyone who helped make this meaningful gathering possible. “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.” – Psalm 33:12 Tiny Homes Tour
My office toured Veterans Outreach of Pennsylvania’s “Veterans Grove,” a tiny home village for Veterans facing homelessness. Located on a 5-acre parcel along the Susquehanna River in the outskirts of Harrisburg, Veterans Outreach built a village of 15 tiny homes surrounding a community center. The Veterans Grove community is specifically designed to meet the unique needs of each Veteran through a therapeutic community model that builds camaraderie, personal responsibility, and healing, while recreating the stable support network offered to them before they left the service. What stands out is that VOPA is not just providing shelter, they are working on the whole Veteran, so that they’re coming back into our community. Since opening – VOPA has served over 50 Resident Veterans and over 274 Non-Resident Veterans. Homeschool Tour of Senate Chamber
What a fantastic group of young people! It was a pleasure welcoming students from a homeschool group in my district to the Pennsylvania State Capitol. Before they headed to their next appointment, I had the opportunity to give them a quick tour of the Senate Chamber and share a little about our Commonwealth’s history and government. Always great to see young people excited to learn and engaged in their community! Historic Capitol Theatre’s 100th Anniversary
Celebrating 100 Years of the Capitol Theatre! It was a distinct honor to speak at the Historic Capitol Theatre’s 100th Anniversary Ribbon Cutting and Community Mixer in Chambersburg. Since 1926, generations of Franklin County families have walked through these doors for movies, performances, music, celebrations, and simply an evening together. Places like the Capitol Theatre become more than brick and mortar, they become part of the memory of a community. As a historian, I believe we have an obligation not simply to remember our history, but to preserve it and pass it on. Congratulations to everyone who has helped keep this Franklin County treasure alive for a century. Today, we’re not just celebrating its first 100 years – we’re opening the curtain on its next hundred! Veteran Service Officer Meetings
VETERAN SERVICES – CHAMBERSBURG DISTRICT OFFICE ** Our NEXT available appointment date is THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2026 ** On the third Thursday of each month, starting September 17th, 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, OCTOBER 15, 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!
At five years old, I had my first taste of show business—modeling for the “4 Gun Cowboy Set with 8-Way Action!” toy packaging. Apparently, one six-shooter just wasn’t enough. I had to demonstrate all eight ways to draw! More than half a century later, it’s pretty amazing to still have these original images from a very different America—and a pretty unforgettable piece of my childhood. Who else remembers growing up playing cowboys? Senate Passes Measures to Boost Protection of Senior Citizens
The state Department of Aging has been under review by the Pennsylvania auditor general and inspector general over concerns for the well-being of seniors being taken care of by Pennsylvania’s 52 county-based Area Agencies on Aging (AAA). The Senate approved legislation that would build on the release of Auditor General Tim DeFoor’s recent audit and implement proper safeguards for older Pennsylvanians. Senate Bill 1376 would:
The Senate also passed legislation to update Pennsylvania’s Older Adult Protective Services Act to better protect seniors from financial abuse and scams. The FBI ranked Pennsylvania ninth in total losses to fraud experienced by older adults in 2025. More than 7,000 seniors were defrauded of more than $200 million, representing a 43% jump from 2024. Senate Bill 738 would require financial institutions to report suspected cases of elder financial abuse and empower the institutions to hold suspicious financial transactions. The institution would have to report this transaction to the appropriate AAA. Similar legislation has been passed in more than 20 states and has been used as an effective tool to prevent fraud. Read more about Senate Bill 738 here. Legislation to Ban “Nudification” Apps Passed by Senate
Continuing our work to implement stronger safeguards on artificial intelligence, legislation to ban “nudification” apps – which allow individuals to take an image of someone and generate a fake nude or sexually explicit photo of that person – was approved by the Senate. Senate Bill 1368 prohibits such apps from being developed, operated or made available in Pennsylvania, including through online application marketplaces. These apps serve no legitimate purpose and pose a special risk to children and school students, whose lives can be upended and reputations damaged through the malicious use of this technology. The measure will be sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. Learn more about Senate Bill 1368 here. Strategies to Combat Antisemitism and Hate Highlighted at Senate Hearing
Educators, parents and advocacy organizations shared their experiences with antisemitism and explored strategies to combat hate during a public hearing of the Senate Majority Policy Committee. According to the Anti-Defamation League’s (ADL) 2025 Audit of Antisemitic Incidents, Pennsylvania recorded 281 antisemitic incidents, the fifth highest number in the nation. Harassment accounted for 70% of these cases — 194 incidents — alongside 80 acts of vandalism and seven physical assaults. It’s believed these incidents are grossly underreported because victims fear for their safety. Testifiers discussed how antisemitism can take root in schools, noting the state Department of Education doesn’t track or require administrators to note when an incident is antisemitic, leaving students and parents without a way to seek justice. Video of the full hearing and written testimony are available on the Senate Majority Policy Committee’s website. Blind or Deaf Higher Education Beneficiary Grants Available
Pennsylvania students who are blind, deaf or have a visual or hearing impairment may qualify for up to $500 in scholarships through the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA). Applicants must supply written documentation to PHEAA showing they have been evaluated and are eligible to receive benefits and supply a completed Medical Professional Certification form regarding a visual or hearing impairment. Interested students must also complete the Blind or Deaf Higher Education Beneficiary Grant Application. The completed 2026-27 application and additional documentation must be submitted by March 31, 2027. Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Don’t Miss Your Mammogram!
The American Cancer Society recommends that women at average risk begin annual screening mammograms at age 40. If you have a family history of breast cancer or other risk factors, talk with your healthcare provider about whether earlier or additional screening may be appropriate. To help, we passed Act 1 of 2023 to ensure supplemental breast cancer screening MRIs and ultrasound for individuals at higher risk are covered with no out-of-pocket costs. We also passed Act 52 of 2025 to eliminate all out-of-pocket costs for diagnostic breast imaging, including mammograms, MRIs and ultrasounds needed to evaluate an abnormal finding. Act 52 is currently beginning the implementation process, with full implementation by January 2028. Pennsylvania residents without insurance or limited insurance, like a high-deductible plan, may qualify for no-cost mammograms and follow-up imaging through programs such as the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program. To learn more, contact the PA Breast Cancer Coalition’s Director of Patient Advocacy Dolores Magro at 800-377-8828. When breast cancer is detected at its earliest stages, the 5-year survival rate is 99%. Don’t miss your mammogram. Early detection saves lives! |
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![A split-screen graphic features a quote from Pennsylvania State Senator Doug Mastriano on the left and his photograph on the right. The left side has a dark brown background with white text quoting Mastriano's message to the Shapiro administration, emphasizing public health authority and regulatory power, credited to SEN. DOUG MASTRIANO [R-33]. The right side shows a close-up photo of Mastriano speaking behind a wooden desk with a sign reading “Senator Mastriano Chair”. He is wearing a grey suit jacket, black shirt, and red tie, gesturing with his right hand as he speaks into a microphone. The logo for "Senator Doug Mastriano 33rd District" appears in the bottom right corner.](https://senatormastriano.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/174/2026/10/OpEd.jpg)
