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In this Update:
My Stroke Registry Bill is On Its Way to Becoming Law
The General Assembly has advanced my stroke registry legislation, Senate Bill 411, and is one step closer to becoming law. This legislation would establish a statewide stroke registry, administered by the state Department of Health, and includes a confidentiality clause ensuring any submitted registry data would not include an individual’s confidential or personally identifiable information. I have championed this legislation for a long time and am glad to see it finally become a reality thanks to strong collaboration with stakeholders and my colleagues on both sides of the aisle. Strokes continue to be the fifth-leading cause of death in the United States. All data that can be gathered and made available can make an immense difference when it comes to providing stroke care to patients. Lifesaving Bill to Eliminate Cost Barriers to Breast Cancer Diagnosis Approved by Senate
Patients who receive abnormal results from supplemental breast cancer screenings will be able to access the necessary follow-up diagnostic imaging at no cost under bipartisan legislation passed by the Senate. This ensures critical continuum of care. Senate Bill 88 builds on the success of Act 1 of 2023, which provided no-cost preventive screenings for individuals at high risk. Senate Bill 88 takes the next step with no-cost follow-up diagnostic imaging and expands eligibility to include individuals at average risk. While 26 other states have followed Pennsylvania’s lead in offering no-cost supplemental breast screening since the passage of Act 1, Pennsylvania remains the only state without guaranteed coverage for diagnostic imaging. The bill now goes to the House of Representatives. Highlights in the 47thAs this past session week progressed in Harrisburg, I was pleased to have the opportunity to meet with several constituents and groups who traveled in from our area!
From left with Pete/Julie Sebock (Beaver/Butler Realtors), Julie South (Lawrence Realtors), Ron Kirkwood (Lawrence Realtors) and Matt Vermeire (Butler Realtors). They were in Harrisburg for the PA Association of Realtors Capitol Day!
With constituent Lily Carpenter, Anetta Brown and Amyrah Moumouni from the Keystone Girls State Government and Civics Leadership Program.
From left with Sen. Scott Hutchinson, Cranberry Township Chief of Police Kevin Meyer and State Rep. Stephanie Scialabba. Senate Targets PA Opioid Crisis with Expanded Reporting Tool
The Senate voted to incorporate overdose reporting by EMS providers into the statewide Overdose Information Network to make sure first responders, treatment providers and other key parties have the information they need to save lives. Senate Bill 89 would require the Pennsylvania Department of Health to coordinate with the Pennsylvania State Police to ensure real-time overdose reporting by EMS providers is incorporated into the statewide mapping system. The bill was also approved by the House of Representatives and will be sent to the governor for his signature. EMS providers would report information including the date and time of the overdose, location, substances used by the victim and more. In other action to prevent opioid deaths, Senate Republicans led passage of a measure giving EMS personnel permanent authority to leave behind a dose of lifesaving naloxone at non-fatal overdose scenes. Measure to Prevent Eminent Domain Abuse Approved by Senate
Legislation to protect property owners against eminent domain abuse and ensure they are fully compensated when their property is taken by government was approved by the Senate. Senate Bill 225 would ensure business owners and farmers whose properties are seized through eminent domain are compensated for loss of “goodwill,” which goes beyond the assessed value. For farms, the land may possess characteristics that make it particularly special, such as fertile soil. In the case of another business, goodwill may be because of location, access to utilities and other factors. Farmers, employers and homeowners testified before a Senate committee last year about eminent domain abuse. The bill now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration. School Bus Safety Grant Program Applications Accepted
School districts, school bus companies and municipalities have until July 3 to apply for state grants to improve school bus safety and pay for training and other costs associated with attracting much-needed school bus drivers. Legislation passed by the General Assembly allows school districts to install automated camera systems to enforce the state School Bus Stopping Law and increase safety for school children. A portion of the fines paid by violators are used for the School Bus Safety Grant Program. Details and the online application are available here. Celebrating Great Outdoors Month
The arrival of summer means plenty of opportunities to get outdoors and enjoy what nature has to offer locally and across our commonwealth. Pennsylvania is home to cool, green forests, thousands of pristine lakes and streams, hiking trails and state parks. Find plenty of ways to explore the great outdoors of our region and the state here.
Please contact me to provide input on any state-related matter, or to receive help in dealing with a state agency. |
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