Celebrating America's 250th Read more
Community Events 7.3.26 Read more
Hanbidge bill to protect homeowners’ rights to install solar energy systems on roofs passes PA House Read more
HARRISBURG, June 30 – The Pennsylvania House today passed a bill that would classify a naloxone-resistant animal sedative, medetomidine, as a Schedule III drug. According to the bill’s prime sponsors, state Reps. Greg Scott and Liz Hanbidge, both of Montgomery County, this is a strategic move to stop the use of medetomidine in street drugs. “We’re seeing increased use of medetomidine in fentanyl and fentanyl-related overdoses,” said Scott. “This is hugely dangerous. Unlike other sedatives that made it to the street drug market, medetomidine doesn’t respond to naloxone – people who overdose on medetomidine-laced fentanyl have a significantly higher risk of dying because overdose-reversing medicines don’t work.” Medetomidine is a non-opioid sedative used by veterinarians. It is not approved for use in people. But data now shows that up to 80 percent of fentanyl samples tested in Pennsylvania contain it, increasing the risk of overdose for people who illegally use fentanyl. “The rapid spread of medetomidine in Pennsylvania's illicit drug supply presents a serious and growing threat to public safety. This dangerous veterinary sedative makes overdoses more difficult to treat, puts first responders at greater risk, and places additional strain on our emergency medical system. As legislators, we have a responsibility to respond before more lives are lost, and that Read more
Protecting Consumers Read more
6/25/26 Community Events Read more
6/26/26 Community Events Read more
Bill to improve consumer protection and animal health and safety in equine sales passes House Read more
Meeting Students’ Needs Read more
HARRISBURG, June 18 – House Communications & Technology Committee Majority Chair Joe Ciresi and state Rep. Liz Hanbidge, both D-Montgomery, today introduced H.B. 2643 to regulate and institute consumer safeguards to cryptocurrency kiosks prevent fraud while allowing responsible use of digital assets. “Scammers are weaponizing a recent financial innovation—cryptocurrency ATMs—and people’s lack of understanding of it to steal their hard-earned savings,” Ciresi said. “This bill would stop that by regulating their operation, instituting necessary safeguards and holding bad actors accountable.” According to Ciresi and Hanbidge, the rapid growth of virtual currency kiosks—commonly known as cryptocurrency ATMs—have expanded access to digital asset transactions while exposing consumers to significant risks. Bad actors increasingly use these machines in scams to target seniors and other vulnerable individuals, who are often directed to deposit cash with little understanding of the transaction or any ability to recover their money. Even for regular users, these kiosks often involve excessive fees and limited consumer protections. The legislation would establish a licensing and regulatory framework for cryptocurrency kiosk operators in Pennsylvania to strengthen transparency, accountability and consumer protection. Operators would be licensed by the Department of Banking and Securities and required to comply with Read more
HARRISBURG, June 18 – House Communications & Technology Committee Majority Chair Joe Ciresi and state Rep. Liz Hanbidge, both D-Montgomery, today introduced H.B. 2643 to regulate and institute consumer safeguards to cryptocurrency kiosks prevent fraud while allowing responsible use of digital assets. “Scammers are weaponizing a recent financial innovation—cryptocurrency ATMs—and people’s lack of understanding of it to steal their hard-earned savings,” Ciresi said. “This bill would stop that by regulating their operation, instituting necessary safeguards and holding bad actors accountable.” According to Ciresi and Hanbidge, the rapid growth of virtual currency kiosks—commonly known as cryptocurrency ATMs—have expanded access to digital asset transactions while exposing consumers to significant risks. Bad actors increasingly use these machines in scams to target seniors and other vulnerable individuals, who are often directed to deposit cash with little understanding of the transaction or any ability to recover their money. Even for regular users, these kiosks often involve excessive fees and limited consumer protections. The legislation would establish a licensing and regulatory framework for cryptocurrency kiosk operators in Pennsylvania to strengthen transparency, accountability and consumer protection. Operators would be licensed by the Department of Banking and Securities and required to comply Read more
Community Events Read more
Hanbidge applauds Museum and Historical Grants coming to district Read more
364 Days Read more
6.12.26 Community Events Read more
HARRISBURG, June 9 – State Reps. Greg Scott and Liz Hanbidge, both D-Montgomery, today announced the Pa. House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee advanced their bill (H.B. 2529) that would classify the veterinary medicine medetomidine as a Schedule III controlled substance. Medetomidine is a non-opioid sedative used by veterinarians. It is not approved for use in people. But data now shows that up to 80 percent of fentanyl samples tested in Pennsylvania contain it, increasing the risk of overdose for people who illegally use fentanyl. “Today’s vote is an important first step in getting control of medetomidine’s use in the illegal drug market,” said Scott. “Too many lives are lost to opioids as it is. We don’t need these animal sedatives added to the mix and making it harder to reverse overdoses.” According to Scott, a concern with medetomidine is that its sedative effects do not wear off if the overdose-reversing drug naloxone is used – though the lawmakers caution that in any suspected opioid overdose, naloxone should still be administered. In 2024, Pennsylvania designated another sedative drug, xylazine, a Schedule III controlled substance. In response, the use of xylazine in street drugs declined. The representatives hope repeating this tactic with medetomidine will have the same impact. “The growing presence of Read more
Hanbidge: Agriculture, animal-protection bills voted out of committee Read more
Updating Pennsylvania’s Health Care Decisions Act Read more
Community Events 5/29/26 Read more
Voting Rights and Participation Read more
Please use the form below to sign up for email updates. By completing this form you are acknowledging your request to receive periodic email updates.
By completing this form, you are verifying your request to opt in for email updates...
Thank you. Your email signup has been sent. You should start getting emails within 24 hours.
Please use the form below to email Rep. Liz Hanbidge.
Thank you. Your feedback has been sent.
1098 W. Skippack PikeBlue Bell, PA 19422-1537
P*: (610) 277-3230
F*: (484) 200-8267
Hours of Operation - Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
121 Irvis Office BuildingP.O. Box 202061Harrisburg, PA 17120-2061
P*: (717) 783-4102
F*: (717) 705-2046