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In this Update:
Dedication of Plainclothes Detectives Office to Late Detective John Gagliardi
I was honored to participate in the dedication of the Plainclothes Detectives office in Pittsburgh Police Bureau’s Zone 3 Station to John Gagliardi. His family members, who are continuing his legacy of service, were present to honor him as well. See more photos from the dedication here. Supporting Electricians, Protecting Consumers
Electrical work requires specialized training and expertise, and Pennsylvania needs consistent standards to help protect workers, consumers, and personal property. My bill, Senate Bill 1260, that I’ve sponsored with Sens. Joe Picozzi (R-5) and Tracy Pennycuick (R-24), establishes a statewide framework for electrician licensure that prioritizes safety while making it easier for qualified electricians and contractors to work throughout the commonwealth. This bill is now law in Pennsylvania! Learn more about this new law here. New Law Means PA Schools Will Be Cellphone-Free
Pennsylvania teachers will no longer have to compete with smartphones for their students’ attention thanks to the bipartisan passage of a new law requiring schools to adopt policies prohibiting student cellphone use during the school day. I was proud to sponsor this legislation with Sen. Vincent Hughes (D-7) and Sen. Steve Santarseiro (D-10) to allow kids to get through the school day without the constant pressure of social media and notifications. Act 117 of 2026 establishes a clear statewide standard, while allowing school districts, which have direct contact with parents, to decide what works best for their communities. It also includes limited exceptions, such as students with individualized education plans and special occasions such as field days. The law will take effect with the 2027-28 school year. Pennsylvania joins 40 states in restricting these devices – 19 of which have full school-day bans, not just during class time. Read more about the effect of cellphones in schools. Ensuring Sexual Assault Survivors Get Justice
Obtaining justice for sexual assault survivors requires timely processing of rape kit evidence. I was glad to join colleagues in making it a priority to improve and standardize rape kit testing in Pennsylvania. Previously, state law allowed local law enforcement agencies to determine whether a sexual assault evidence kit should undergo DNA testing or other forensic analysis, creating the potential for inconsistent practices across the commonwealth. The General Assembly passed a new law eliminating such discretion. Read more about Act 106 of 2026. Additionally, a law the General Assembly passed unanimously in 2024 established a rape kit evidence tracking system, allowing survivors to track the status of their rape kits throughout the testing process. After operating as a pilot program in three counties, it will launch statewide in December. To better care for victims, the current state budget included a $12 million increase for rape crisis centers – an effort I was proud to strongly advocate for. Prosecuting perpetrators of these heinous crimes should be pursued vigorously, and we’ve made significant changes to ensure just that. Action Taken to Protect Children in the Age of AI
The rapid emergence of artificial intelligence requires even quicker deployment of sound policies to protect children from its darker side. I supported measures passed by the Senate cracking down on AI child sexual abuse material (CSAM), shielding them from harmful chatbots, and banning “nudification” apps. House Bill 2474, now Act 87 of 2026, requires teachers, childcare workers, healthcare providers, and other individuals responsible for caring for children to report all instances of CSAM they become aware of, including those produced by a minor. This House bill, which passed the General Assembly unanimously, mirrored the language of Senate Bill 1050. Read more about Act 87 of 2026, including the new requirement of reporting hazing. I was also proud to vote in favor of other bipartisan bills passed by the Senate, including:
The Senate also established a Task Force on Child Protection in the Digital Age to review state laws, assess emerging technologies, and identify gaps in protections for children in the digital environment. It will issue a report and recommendation for action to the General Assembly by November 2027. Learn more about the task force. Remembering Tree of Life Victims
On Tuesday October 27, we remembered the 11 lives lost eight years ago at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Squirrel Hill: Joyce Fienberg, Richard Gottfried, Rose Mallinger, Jerry Rabinowitz, Cecil Rosenthal, David Rosenthal, Bernice Simon, Sylvan Simon, Daniel Stein, Melvin Wax, and Irving Younger. May their memories always be a blessing, and may we always continue to support the families and communities who were affected by this unthinkable tragedy. Together, we are stronger than hate. Remember to Vote! Election Day is Tues., Nov. 3
Tuesday, Nov. 3 is Election Day, your chance to weigh in on state and federal elections. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. For those voting by mail, county election offices must receive completed ballots by 8 p.m. on Election Day. Find your polling place and other voter information here. My offices will be closed on Tuesday, Nov. 3 in observance of General Election Day. Normal office hours will resume on Wednesday, Nov. 4 at 9 a.m. AHN and MFPAA Partner to Build New EMS Facility
Allegheny Health Network (AHN) and McCandless-Franklin Park Ambulance Authority (MFPAA) have partnered to build a new Prehospital Garage and EMS Regional Training Center at the AHN Wexford campus. This new facility will be a great asset to the North Hills communities, and I am looking forward to seeing its impact! See more photos from the announcement here. Aluna Opens in Bethel Park
I’m pleased to welcome Bethel Park’s newest restaurant, Aluna! This Mediterranean restaurant is a great addition to the community – check out their menu here. See more photos from the grand opening here. Parkway West CTC Receives Funding for New Program
I was glad to see Parkway West CTC receive funding to launch a Heavy Highway Construction Inspector Training Program. This will surely equip students with the real world skills needed for high-demand careers in keeping Pennsylvania roadways safe. Learn more about the funding here. Making Education More Affordable
An affordable and thorough education allows young Pennsylvanians to find success and lay down roots while filling in-demand jobs here in the commonwealth – without the burden of heavy debt. In addition to funding K-12 and higher education during the current legislative session, I supported initiatives that:
Affordability in education benefits students, parents, employers, and communities. I’ll continue working to lower the cost of education and increase student access to promising careers. Bringing Dollars Back to Communities for Local Road Projects
When we learned PennDOT was sitting on millions of dollars that should be spent on local infrastructure, my Senate colleagues and I used state budget negotiations to free this money up for road projects across the commonwealth – including one in Coraopolis! PennDOT agreed to release an additional $775 million from the Motor License Fund for local road projects only, not interstates, which are funded elsewhere. We fought to secure these funds because local road improvements mean safer travel with less congestion and improved transportation infrastructure that supports the economy and job creation. List of Rapid Deployment Transportation Projects. Veterans Benefits Assistance
On the second Tuesday of each month, my office hosts a veterans’ benefits expert from the American Legion. He is available to answer any questions or help solve issues a veteran may have with obtaining their benefits. If you would like to schedule a FREE appointment to receive assistance with your veterans’ benefits, please call my office at (412) 785-3070. Daylight Saving Time Ends
Daylight Saving Time ends tomorrow. Don’t forget to turn your clocks back on your appliances one hour before going to bed tonight! This is also a great time to check or change the batteries in smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms in your home. National First Responders Day
In recognition of National First Responders Day on October 28, I want to say thank you to our law enforcement, firefighters, EMS providers, and other first responders who risk so much to ensure the safety of others. We are grateful for the incredible work you do to protect our communities! Making a Difference with Breast Cancer
As Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2026 comes to a close, here are a few ideas to take action all year long in your community: Make mammograms part of the conversation Know your risk Host a Friends Like Me® Care Package donation drive Support research Upcoming Events in the 37th District
Looking for things in the area to do this week? Check out these local events across the 37th District!
Happy Halloween
Happy Halloween! Here are some safety tips for everyone participating today:
I hope everyone has a fun and safe time trick-or-treating tonight!
I’m proud to represent you in Harrisburg. Please contact me if my team can assist you with any state-level issues or services, including PennDOT, PA Department of Revenue, PA Department of Aging, PA State Treasury, etc. I’m always happy to hear from constituents, but if you need assistance or have concerns regarding a federal issue, you may want to contact your U.S. Senators and/or your member in the U.S. House of Representatives. Thank you. |
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