We Can't Let Pennsylvanians Go Hungry Read more
10/31/25 Community Events Read more
This week, I want to share updates on several important animal welfare bills advancing in Harrisburg. As a member of the bipartisan Animal Protection Caucus, I am committed to strengthening Pennsylvania’s animal cruelty laws and ensuring that our Commonwealth leads with compassion and accountability. I’ve introduced legislation this session aimed at improving the lives of animals, and I’m pleased to report that the House Judiciary Committee, on which I serve, recently advanced a series of significant animal protection bills—each addressing different forms of cruelty and neglect. I am proud to co-sponsor all of these bills. Read more
HARRISBURG, Oct. 22 – The Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee today approved a joint resolution sponsored by state Reps. Danielle Friel Otten, D-Chester, Liz Hanbidge, D-Montgomery, and La’Tasha D. Mayes, D-Allegheny, that would add a Reproductive Rights Amendment to the Pennsylvania constitution. The proposed legislation, introduced as H.B. 1957 , comes at a pivotal moment in the national conversation on reproductive rights. Since the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, the authority to regulate reproductive health care has shifted to individual states, prompting a wave of legislative and voter-led efforts across the country. In response, voters in states such as Ohio, Michigan, Vermont and California have approved constitutional amendments or ballot initiatives to enshrine reproductive rights in their state constitutions. These actions reflect a growing recognition that state-level protections are now essential to safeguarding access to abortion and other reproductive health care. Pennsylvania’s proposed amendment seeks to join this national movement by ensuring reproductive freedom is permanently enshrined in the state constitution. The Otten, Hanbidge and Mayes bill proposes an amendment to the Pennsylvania constitution that would reaffirm and protect every Pennsylvanian’s right to privacy and ensure that the state shall not deny or Read more
HARRISBURG, Oct. 15 – The Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee, chaired by state Rep. Tim Briggs, D–Montgomery, today approved a series of bipartisan bills addressing animal welfare, criminal justice reform, law enforcement standards, and community safety. The committee also approved Briggs’ House Bill 1822, which protects the personal data of public servants and was announced in a separate release. Read more about that legislation here . “These bills represent thoughtful, sensible steps forward in protecting our most vulnerable — whether that’s pets, children, or public servants,” said Briggs. “Our committee continues to show that, when it comes to protecting Pennsylvanians and upholding justice, we can come together to do what’s right.” House Bill 608 (Sponsored by Rep. Mary Louise Isaacson): Would increase penalties for illegal ear cropping performed by non-licensed individuals, elevating the offense to a third-degree misdemeanor, and a second-degree misdemeanor for repeat offenses. House Bill 879 (Sponsored by Isaacson): Would allow the attorney general to prosecute felony animal cruelty cases when county district attorneys lack the experience or capacity to do so, ensuring consistent enforcement statewide. House Bill 1716 (Sponsored by Rep. Liz Hanbidge): Would prohibit the declawing of cats except for medically necessary, therapeutic purposes performed by Read more
Over the past few months, a number of you have reached out to me regarding gerrymandering – some asking whether Pennsylvania’s congressional maps can be pushed toward one political persuasion or another, and some asking what will preserve the integrity of Pennsylvania’s legislative maps. Read more
“I’m proud to see HB1613 move forward with the support of the House Judiciary Committee," Hanbidge, D-Montgomery, said. "Far too often, children in Pennsylvania are interrogated without a parent, guardian, or attorney present—and without a real understanding of the rights they’re being asked to give up. This bill ensures that no child has to face that situation alone. It’s a commonsense step to protect young people, reduce the risk of false confessions, uphold constitutional rights, and bring Pennsylvania’s practices in line with what research and justice demand." Read more
My Bill-- HB 1534 Read more
“This bill ensures that Intermediate Units can maintain their Pre-K Counts grants even without a Head Start affiliation. Our children deserve uninterrupted, high quality early education, and Pennsylvania must act to secure it,” Hanbidge said. “If the federal government eliminates or defunds Head Start, as many as an additional 2,500 Pennsylvania children could lose access to Pre-K Counts programming and it’s essential we take this step to help them.” Read more
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Across Pennsylvania — from rural towns to big cities — millions of people rely on public transportation every day. In fact, Pennsylvanians take nearly half a billion transit trips each year. Despite how essential these services are, transit agencies in all 67 counties are now facing serious threats — including major service cuts and fare hikes that put systems like SEPTA and Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PTR) at risk. Over the past few months, many of you have reached out to share your concerns about these cuts — and I want you to know that I hear you, and I share those concerns. That’s why, earlier this month, the House passed House Bill 1364, a proposal now in the hands of the Senate, that would provide critical funding to protect and preserve public transit throughout the Commonwealth. Read more
The lawmakers stressed that while the factors are consolidated, the substance of them remain unchanged and the vital protections against child abuse put in place by Kayden’s Law are intact in the legislation. “Being caught between fighting parents and sometimes grandparents is harmful to children, and the current 16-factor process has been proven to needlessly delay resolution in these cases because of redundancies and unclear language,” Hanbidge said. “This bill puts the focus where it belongs – on reaching timely, clear decisions that serve the best interests of Pennsylvania’s children. Read more
“Childcare is not a luxury. It’s a necessity and it’s vital to us having a functional and growing economy. No qualifying family should be left behind. State tax laws meant to benefit working families should not be overly complicated nor set up to exclude families who are using all options available to them to ensure their children are safe and cared for while they work,” Hanbidge said. Read more
“House Bill 1250 is about more than just policy — it’s about ensuring dignity, stability and protection for people living in manufactured home communities,” Hanbidge said. “Manufactured homes provide a stable and affordable housing option, especially as the market becomes increasingly unaffordable. I’ve heard from many residents who tell me that excessive rent increases are forcing them to choose between paying for their lot and paying for basics like food and medication. Everyone deserves a safe, affordable home without being exploited. My legislation would preserve that right by shielding residents of manufactured home communities from financial abuse.” Read more
I want to begin by reflecting on the tragic events that unfolded in Minnesota this past week. My heart goes out to the families of Representative Hortman and Senator Hoffman, and to the communities they so faithfully served. Read more
As is often the case in June, budget negotiations are ongoing, and a high volume of legislation is moving through the General Assembly. This week, I want to highlight a bill that I co-sponsored, House Bill 1500, which proposes significant reforms to the way cyber charter schools are funded. Read more
Legislation introduced by state Reps. Liz Hanbidge, Melissa Cerrato and Joe Webster to stabilize rent prices and strengthen protections for residents in manufactured home communities passed the House with bipartisan support today. Read more
This week I want to briefly discuss a number of bills that passed the House this month and last month which include protections for health care access. Read more
Earlier this month, I attended the inaugural meeting of National Conference of State Legislature's (NCSL) Youth Justice Fellows program. Read more
While it can be frustrating that some of the bills we pass grab headlines and attract undue attention, like making the Hershey Kiss the commonwealth's official candy, I feel it is imperative to mention that we continue to work in a bipartisan fashion in the House to accomplish real change to benefit our constituents. Read more
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