Our Disability & Mental Health Summit is TOMORROW!

Rep. Jen Mazzocco May 6, 2026 | 2:58 PM

The 13th Annual Disability & Mental Health Summit takes place tomorrow, and I want to take this time and thank all of our volunteers, community partners and our hosts at Community College of Allegheny County.

This event would never be possible without all this assistance, and I’m glad they’ve continued to take part in this tradition. The Summit has evolved over the years, in both form and content, but the dedication of our volunteers and partners has remained constant.

Whether you’re a first-time attendee or a longtime Summit participant, I welcome everyone to the CCAC Allegheny Campus on Thursday. This year’s program can be accessed online, and a Summit At-a-Glance schedule is seen above. I hope you enjoy your time!

Senior Farmers Market Voucher Program
now open in Allegheny County

The Allegheny County Area Agency on Aging announced this week that applications are now open for the 2026 Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program. This program helps income-eligible older adults by providing vouchers for usage at local farmers markets.

To be eligible for the program, you must be an age 60 or older resident of Allegheny County who meets income guidelines. Married couples may receive one set of vouchers for each individual.

For 2026, the agency is moving to an online application option and mail distribution process. Vouchers will be mailed directly to the senior – no proxy forms or in-person pickups will be required.

Voucher distribution will begin on June 1. Residents have until September 15 to apply for the program. To apply online, visit the Allegheny County website.

IN HARRISBURG

My legislation advances through House committee!

On Wednesday, I had the opportunity to speak up for my first bill, House Bill 2473, which would repeal obsolete insurance laws and already complete studies. The bill advanced through the House Insurance Committee and will now move to the House floor.

A huge thank you to my co-sponsors and my colleagues in the Insurance Committee for making sure our insurance laws remain relevant, efficient and up to date.

Solar for Schools

On Monday, I joined my colleagues in support of the Solar for Schools program – grant funds that help schools save on electricity costs, create union jobs, and move PA toward greater use of clean energy. It’s important that we continue to invest in this program and that schools apply!

It was great to run into AFT Pennsylvania President Wendy Coleman, who was also in Harrisburg fighting for our public schools across the Commonwealth.

AI legislation advances through
Communications & Technology Committee

In Tuesday’s meeting of the Communications & Technology Committee, we passed two pieces of AI-related legislation that give Pennsylvanians more transparency.

House Bill 95 would require a disclosure of all AI-generated content used for the sale of consumer goods. This includes AI advertising through images, audio, video and text. With how prevalent AI-related scams have become, we deserve clarification on whether we’re consuming something made by humans or generated by AI.

House Bill 1925 would require transparency to patients and the public regarding the circumstances in which AI is being used across the healthcare industry. This bill would require an individualized assessment and decision by a human in any use of AI by insurers, hospitals or clinicians. This would prevent AI from reinforcing bias and discrimination in healthcare, keeping this technology only for responsible and effective purposes.

I will always support the utmost transparency when it comes to AI usage, and I hope my colleagues in the House agree by passing these bills.

IN THE COMMUNITY

This past week, I joined members of the Allegheny County House & Senate Delegation and County Council to hear updates on negotiations from the union nurses at Magee Women’s Hospital, as they seek to settle their first contract since winning their union last summer.

I was also honored to join the Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire to dedicate their new Fallen Fire Fighters Memorial at the IAFF Local 1 hall in Hazelwood on Saturday.

This week marks Teacher Appreciation Week, and to celebrate, I joined Melissa and Jess from the Dormont Elementary PFO to “Chalk the Walk” for our teachers and staff! The kids had a great time writing messages to their teachers to kick off a fun week.

Finally, I was one of many federal and local officials to sign an open welcome letter, addressed to leadership of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s incoming ownership.

Along with my colleagues, I urge the Venetoulis Institute for Local Journalism to maintain robust staffing and good-faith bargaining with the union journalists who have fought so hard to make a strong Post-Gazette.

You can join me and the roughly 1,300 others who have signed a pledge for a strong Post-Gazette staff at this link.

Stay tuned for more updates, and as always, our office is here to help. You can reach us by phone at 412-343-3870 or visit us at 650 Washington Road, Suite 102, in Mt. Lebanon.