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In this Update:
My Utility Worksite AED Safety Legislation Heads to Governor’s Desk
Bipartisan legislation I introduced with Sen. Nick Pisciottano to improve safety for Pennsylvania’s utility workers has received final legislative approval and is headed to the governor’s desk for consideration. Senate Bill 1328, the Utility Worksite Automated External Defibrillator Safety Act, would require electric utilities and their contractors to have life-saving automated external defibrillators (AEDs) readily available at worksites, including temporary and field locations. Sudden cardiac arrest can occur following an electrical shock, and having an AED nearby could mean the difference between life and death. Our lineworkers perform dangerous work in all kinds of weather to keep our communities powered, and they deserve every reasonable protection we can provide. I appreciate the support of my legislative colleagues, Utility Workers Union of America System Local 102, IBEW Local 459 and the PA Energy Workers Alliance in advancing this important worker safety legislation. You can watch my floor remarks on Senate Bill 1328 by tapping or clicking the image above. 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. Harrisburg Happenings
Members of United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 3303 recently visited my Harrisburg office while attending the UAW Region 9 Pennsylvania Conference. I appreciated the opportunity to hear from them and discuss issues affecting their members and families. UAW Local 3303 represents more than 1,000 active union members, including employees at Cleveland-Cliffs’ Butler Works facility. These skilled workers produce specialty steels used in industries ranging from automotive manufacturing to energy and appliances. Pennsylvania’s manufacturing workforce is essential to our economy, and I always welcome the opportunity to hear directly from the men and women who help keep it strong. Pictured from left to right are Chris Zatracz, Brian Douglas, Jim Rugh, Duke Colangelo, Nate Flick and UAW Local 3303 President Jamie Sychak.
My friend and Greene County constituent, Pastor Lanfer Simpson of Mapletown Methodist Church, recently joined us in Harrisburg to serve as Guest Chaplain of the Pennsylvania Senate. It was an honor to introduce him to my colleagues before he delivered the opening prayer, offering a meaningful reminder of the importance of faith, humility and service to others. Pastor Simpson has deep roots in Greene County and a long history of community involvement. A former standout athlete at Waynesburg High School and West Virginia University, he remains active in supporting local agriculture and youth sports, including helping his sons with their 4-H projects and athletic activities. It was also wonderful to welcome his wife, Kristen, and their sons, Landon and Lincoln, to the Senate gallery for this special occasion. I thank Pastor Simpson for sharing his faith with us and for his continued service to our community. You can watch Pastor Simpson’s prayer by tapping or clicking the image above. You can watch my introduction of Pastor Simpson by clicking this link. Focus on the 46th
Three outstanding young men from Troop 1313 in McMurray recently earned the prestigious rank of Eagle Scout, the highest achievement in Scouting. I was honored to attend their Court of Honor last month and recognize Russell Allen Riberich, Wyatt Smith and Owen Lucas Tomnay for their accomplishments. Each completed a community service project that will benefit local residents. Russell replaced two wooden benches along the Montour Trail in Peters Township with larger, sustainable benches made from recycled bottle caps and landscaped the surrounding area. Wyatt installed a new metal roof on a gazebo at Mingo Creek County Park and made additional improvements to the structure. Owen replaced mulch beds with river rock around the Peters Township Fire Station on McMurray Road. Congratulations to Russell, Wyatt and Owen on this remarkable achievement! Their leadership, hard work and commitment to community service reflect the very best of Scouting. I also thank the troop’s leaders, volunteers and families for supporting these young men along the way. Photo courtesy of Rep. Natalie Mihalek’s office.
For more than a century, Canonsburg Town Park has provided a place for families, friends and neighbors to gather. I was pleased to join Rep. Jason Ortitay and Canonsburg Borough officials to celebrate a $104,025 Statewide Local Share Account (LSA) grant that will help make this 45-acre park more accessible and welcoming to visitors. The funding will support the construction and engineering costs of three ADA-compliant concrete restroom facilities to replace the temporary portable restrooms currently serving park visitors. Each facility will include baby-changing tables and can be placed near popular attractions without requiring connections to public water or sewage infrastructure. Investments like this help ensure our community spaces remain enjoyable for residents of all ages and abilities. I’m glad to work alongside Rep. Ortitay to bring these state dollars back to Washington County.
Learning a skilled trade can open the door to rewarding, family-sustaining careers, which is something I always emphasize when speaking with students. That’s why I’m especially excited that California Area School District has been awarded $490,710 to establish a new welding program as part of its career and technical education offerings. The funding comes through PennDOT’s new competitive Career and Technical Education Grant Program, which is supported by federal highway construction dollars. This investment will give students an opportunity to develop valuable, hands-on welding skills while still in high school. Our skilled trades workforce is essential to Pennsylvania’s economy, and expanding access to career and technical education will help prepare the next generation for successful careers in these in-demand fields.
Horses with Hope continues to make an incredible difference in the lives of children and adults with disabilities through its therapeutic riding program in Washington County. I recently had the pleasure of catching up with the organization to hear about its continued growth and the opportunities it provides for participants to build confidence, develop skills and discover their abilities. It was especially wonderful to see Jamie Lynn again! Born with Down syndrome, Jamie Lynn inspired her mother, Anne Davis, to establish Horses with Hope. What began with one mother’s determination to help her daughter thrive has grown into an organization that continues to positively impact so many lives. October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month, an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to the rights, inclusion and well-being of individuals with Down syndrome. I thank Anne, Jamie Lynn, board members Raymond Perr and Frank Taucher, and everyone involved with Horses with Hope for their dedication to creating opportunities and helping individuals reach their full potential.
Repeated flooding along Chartiers Creek has taken a serious toll on Houston Borough’s municipal building over the past several years, creating concerns about the building’s condition and the borough’s ability to maintain operations during severe weather. I recently joined Rep. Jason Ortitay and Houston Borough officials to celebrate a $983,665 Statewide Local Share Account (LSA) grant that will help fund construction of a new municipal building. This investment will allow the borough to relocate its operations to a safer facility, address existing public safety concerns and continue providing essential services during future flooding events. I’m proud to support this important infrastructure project alongside Rep. Ortitay and congratulate Houston Borough officials on securing this funding for their community.
Two school districts in the 46th Senatorial District have been awarded Structured Literacy Grants to strengthen reading instruction in their elementary classrooms. Chartiers-Houston School District’s Allison Park Elementary School will receive $231,854, while Fort Cherry School District’s Fort Cherry Elementary Center will receive $180,975. These grants will help both schools implement structured literacy curricula by supporting instructional resources, educator capacity and the systems necessary to meet Pennsylvania’s structured literacy requirements. Developing strong reading skills early in a child’s education is essential to future academic success. I’m pleased to see these investments supporting our local schools and providing students with a stronger foundation for learning. Congratulations to both school districts! 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. New Law Protects Animals from Painful Experimentation
Legislation to protect dogs and cats from painful, taxpayer-funded experiments has been approved by the General Assembly and signed into law. The protections in Senate Bill 381, the Beagle 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. Read more about protecting animals and increasing transparency through the Beagle Bill. 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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