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In this Update:
Budget Update
The Senate passed a sensible and sustainable spending plan last week, including historic investments in education. However, agreement has not yet been reached on the Pennsylvania Award for Student Success (PASS) scholarship program, which would offer grants to low-income families with children in schools ranked in the bottom 15% for test scores and academic performance. The Senate is awaiting legislative action by the House of Representatives on all components as we work to enact a responsible budget that respects taxpayers. My focus continues to remain on the 37th District and the betterment of our region, and I continue to have faith that we can work in a bipartisan manner. Fourth of July Highlights
I had a wonderful Fourth of July this year! I kicked off the festivities with the Brentwood parade, where I saw several friends, veterans, and first responders. It was great to see so many from the community celebrating! There was also a great turnout at my next stop, the Leetsdale parade. I rounded out the evening with Moon Township’s annual Fourth of July celebration. Thank you to everyone who worked to make these community events a great success. Looking forward to next year!
Helping Children of National Guard and Reserve Members Adjust to New Schools
Legislation that will reduce the educational challenges faced by children of National Guard and Reserve members was unanimously approved by the Senate. Military families face frequent reassignments, posing educational challenges for children transitioning between schools in different states. Senate Bill 209 would give children of National Guard and Reserve members the same help provided to those of active-duty military families through the Military Interstate Children’s Compact. The compact provides a consistent set of policies that make getting started in a new school, joining extracurricular activities, facilitating enrollment and meeting graduation requirements as easy as possible for military children. Senate Protects Sexually Exploited Children, Human Trafficking Victims
The Senate approved legislation to ensure that sexually exploited children who are human trafficking victims always have full access to appropriate services and support. Under current Pennsylvania law, any minor who is exploited for commercial sex must identify their third-party perpetrator to be considered a victim of human trafficking, unless their purchaser is charged as a trafficker. Senate Bill 44 would ensure that third-party control is never a consideration for access to victim services. Senate Bill 45 would eliminate the third-party control requirement to access victim services under the National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline Notification Act. Bill to Help Medically Fragile Babies Receives Senate Support
The Senate approved legislation to provide critical care for medically fragile babies by expanding access to pasteurized human donor milk. Senate Bill 500 would require Medical Assistance coverage for medically prescribed pasteurized human donor milk in both inpatient and outpatient settings for children who are less than a year old. The donor milk must be obtained from a milk bank licensed in Pennsylvania or through a hospital licensure process in accordance with the Keystone Mothers’ Milk Bank Act of 2020. For very low birth-weight babies and other medically compromised infants, the use of donor milk is a proven, cost-effective way to improve health outcomes and lower health care costs. It protects against serious health complications that can lead to longer hospital stays, multiple medical and surgical procedures, readmissions, lifelong disability or even death. To qualify for coverage, the child’s mother must be medically or physically unable to produce breast milk in an amount needed to meet the child’s needs. Bill Reforming Pennsylvania’s Probation System Passes Senate
The Senate passed legislation that would reform Pennsylvania’s probation system to give people a better pathway out of the criminal justice system. Senate Bill 838 would establish a mandatory probation review conference for probationers, providing criteria for when they occur and a presumption that probation will be terminated unless the individual does not qualify. It would also permit the review conference to occur earlier based on the good conduct of defendants by achieving certain educational, employment or other goals. A provision to allow for the waiving of the mandatory review conference in cases where all stakeholders agree it is unnecessary is also included. National Parks and Recreation Month
July is National Parks and Recreation Month! Did you know that Pennsylvania has over 120 state parks? You can view a full list of them here. |
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