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Ciresi introduces legislation to extend deadlines to appeal Turnpike ‘V-Tolls’

(6 hours ago) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, Oct. 3 –State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, this week introduced House Bill 1916 that would allow drivers at least six months to appeal E-ZPass video tolls and flat video tolls, also known as “v-tolls.” A v-toll is a flat $10 charge made by the Pennsylvania Turnpike to the account of an E-ZPass customer when their E-ZPass transponder was not read by the sensor at a toll booth or gantry. This can occur for a variety of reasons, including if the transponder is improperly installed or malfunctioning, or if there is a technical issue with turnpike sensors. “I’ve introduced this legislation to make sure drivers on the Pennsylvania Turnpike have the opportunity to correct mistakes on their E-ZPass statements and only have to pay what they should owe,” Ciresi said. “The shift to a cashless turnpike and the end of paper tickets and toll booth exit messages makes it less clear if you’re being charged correctly and your transponder is working. Giving drivers more time to appeal overcharges is the fair thing to do.” The Pennsylvania Turnpike began implementing all-electronic tolling in 2016, ending physical cash tolls in 2020 and launching Open Road Tolling in 2025. Read more

 

Pa. House Tourism Committee discusses bill to fight human trafficking

(1 day ago) Rep. Mary Jo Daley, Rep. Regina Young

HARRISBURG, Oct. 2 – The state House Tourism, Recreation and Economic Development Committee today held a hearing on a bill to train Pennsylvania employees of hotels, motels, online lodging and reservation companies, and other establishments to identify and report signs of human trafficking. House Bill 1286 is sponsored by state Rep. Regina Young , D-Phila./Delaware, and would provide for mandatory human trafficking awareness training for Pennsylvania workers in the hospitality industry, including online lodging and reservation companies. “Since I’ve been a legislator, I’ve been working to end human trafficking,” Young said. “It’s an unfortunate evil that lurks in our region because of easy access to interstate and international transportation hubs. The heartfelt testimony we heard today confirms the need to train hotel, motel and other lodging employees to be aware of the warning signs and report them. We can end human trafficking through education and speaking up for these most vulnerable victims.” The full hearing can be watched at https://youtube.com/live/MoNweqGt3eo . The Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts in January 2025 revealed 1,235 human trafficking offenses filed across 366 cases in the state between 2020 and 2024. During the hearing, expert testimony laid out the case for Pennsylvania to do more in its fight against human trafficking. Testifiers also Read more

 

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities

(1 day ago) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities Read more

 

Ciresi’s legislation to expand access to simplified unclaimed property claims unanimously passes the House

(Oct 01, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, Oct. 1 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi’s longstanding commitment to legislation making it easier and less expensive for Pennsylvanians to claim property that’s rightfully theirs, H.B. 1176, unanimously passed the PA House today. The legislation would: Increase the amount of unclaimed property that heirs can claim from the Pennsylvania Treasury using a notarized relationship affidavit from $11,000 up to $20,000. Raise the amount a financial institution may release to a family member of a deceased individual from $10,000 to $20,000 if the family member presents a receipt verifying funeral expenses have been paid. Redirect the estates of decedents who die with no will and no heirs to an endowed community fund near the place of the decedent’s last residence. The legislation included language from state Rep. Tim Bonner’s H.B. 167 and state Rep. Torren Ecker’s H.B. 1091, both of which were passed approved unanimously by the House Judiciary Committee earlier this year. “Look, millions of properties totaling more than $4 billion are currently sitting in the PA Treasury as unclaimed property because the process to claim it is just too challenging or too expensive -- or both,” Ciresi said. “Part of the reason the money is just sitting there is because we haven’t updated the $11,000 limit for simplified heir claims Read more

 

House Dems launch bills to strengthen Protection from Abuse Orders

(Oct 01, 2025) Rep. Nate Davidson, Rep. Emily Kinkead, Rep. Justin Fleming

Lawmakers call to protect survivors, increase accountability for repeat PFA violations Read more

 

Legislation to allow alkaline hydrolysis cremation in PA passes House

(Oct 01, 2025) Rep. Mary Jo Daley, Rep. Christopher M. Rabb

HARRISBURG, Oct. 1 – The Pennsylvania House of Representatives today passed bipartisan legislation to authorize the use of alkaline hydrolysis as a form of cremation in Pennsylvania, according to the bill’s sponsors, state Reps. Mary Jo Daley, Abby Major and Chris Rabb. Alkaline hydrolysis – sometimes referred to as water cremation – uses a mixture of water and alkali in a sealed pressurized steel chamber to reduce the body to bone, which is then processed into ash. Unlike traditional flame cremation, which requires temperatures of more than 1,600 degrees Fahrenheit and significant energy use, water cremation is far more energy efficient. “As more families choose cremation, it’s important to recognize the environmental costs that come with flame-based methods,” said Daley, D-Montgomery. “People often assume cremation is the greener alternative to burial, but in reality, it requires tremendous energy consumption.” The legislation also gives families more choices when deciding end-of-life wishes. “As a licensed funeral home director, I have seen firsthand the significant shift to the use of cremation after a loved one dies,” said Major, R-Armstrong/Westmoreland. “By allowing for alkaline hydrolysis, we can offer folks another choice for disposition that is already available in more than half of the states in our country.” According to the Mayo Clinic, Read more

 

Universal Background Check Bill passes House

(Oct 01, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, Sep. 30 – The Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed the Universal Background Check bill by a vote of 104-99. The bill was introduced by state Rep. Perry Warren (D-31) and would eliminate the existing exemption from background checks for the private sale of long guns. “ House Bill 1593 will make background checks consistent, comprehensive, and effective,” Warren said. Under current Pennsylvania law, background checks are required for most handgun purchases and for sales through licensed dealers — but long guns, including rifles and shotguns, can still be sold without a background check in private transactions. Warren’s legislation would close that loophole by requiring background checks for all firearm sales, regardless of barrel length or sellertype, including at gun shows, online, and between private parties. “Pennsylvania has been averaging 1,600 firearm deaths a year, and most of the high profile mass shootings in Pennsylvania and nationally have been committed with long guns. There is no rational reason for the long gun loophole to continue, and this bill will deter and hopefully prevent acts of gun violence.” The Universal Background Check bill passed the House with bipartisan support and now moves to the Pennsylvania Senate for consideration. Three other firearm regulation bills introduced by House Democrats, the Extreme Risk Protection Order ("red flag") bill, the untraceable Read more

 

Flood Insurance Task Force recommendation passes House

(Oct 01, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, Oct. 1 – State Rep. Perry Warren, D-Bucks, today announced the passage by the House of Representatives of his legislation which would protect Pennsylvania homebuyers by requiring the disclosure of flood-related risks during residential real estate transactions. House Bill 1704 , introduced by Warren, passed the full House with broad bipartisan support. It builds on recommendations from the Flood Insurance Premium Assistance Task Force, which Warren and state Sen. Steve Santarsiero helped create through legislation signed into law by Gov. Josh Shapiro. “This is a win for consumers, transparency, and public safety,” said Warren, who serves as chair of the House Insurance Committee. “House Bill 1704 would ensure that homebuyers receive information about a property’s flood history, flood insurance requirements, and whether it's located in a FEMA-designated flood zone.” Under the legislation, home sellers would be required to disclose: Whether the property has previously experienced flood damage. Whether the property is in a FEMA-designated flood hazard area (100- or 500-year flood zones). Whether flood insurance is required or has been carried on the property. Whether the seller has received government assistance for flood damage. Whether the seller has filed a flood insurance claim. In Read more

 

House clears Solomon data breach bill

(Oct 01, 2025) Rep. Jared G. Solomon

“Our personal information is under constant threat,” Solomon said. “Numerous high-profile breaches in recent years—such as those involving Equifax, Facebook, Target, Sears, Delta and others—have exposed sensitive data like credit card numbers, Social Security numbers, and other personal information. It’s clear we must do more to protect the private information of Pennsylvanians from falling into the wrong hands.” Read more

 

Neilson bill to protect consumers’ personal information online passes Pa. House

(Oct 01, 2025) Rep. Ed Neilson

“Many people who shop online or even just browse the internet don’t realize that with each click, they could be giving away sensitive data that is sold to a third party or used nefariously. Consumers have a right to privacy, and online shopping shouldn’t be exempt from that,” Neilson said. Read more

 

Conklin, Kephart will introduce bill to ensure fairness and transparency in sales of former state correctional facility land

(Oct 01, 2025) Rep. Scott Conklin

HARRISBURG, Oct. 1 – In the wake of the state’s recent announcement that it is closing the State Correctional Institution at Rockview, state Reps. Scott Conklin and Dallas Kephart today unveiled plans for legislation to ensure that any potential sale of the nearly 5,700-acre property is conducted with fairness and transparency. Speaking at a Capitol news conference, the lawmakers said their bill would require that any sale of land associated with a former state correctional facility follow specific procedures, including publication of the sale in the Pennsylvania Bulletin and oversight by the state Attorney General, including disclosure of all bids and bidders. “When large facilities like Rockview close, it’s the region’s residents who bear the brunt of that decision. They’re also the ones most likely to feel the impact of any potential land sale,” said Conklin, D-Centre. “Despite our every effort, we were not able to stop the closure of SCI Rockview and Quehanna Boot Camp. But we can work to make sure that any sale of the underlying land happens in the fairest, most transparent way possible to prevent additional adverse impacts on residents. “Our bill would do that by bringing sunlight to the process and preventing closed-door transactions or sweetheart deals that are not necessarily in residents’ best interests.” The lawmakers are currently in the process of Read more

 

Medical professionals detail acetaminophen and autism misinformation

(Sep 30, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

“All this misinformation coming from the White House and federal government has done real damage,” said Rep. Abigail Salisbury, who hosted the hearing, serves as the chair of the Pennsylvania Autism Caucus and is autistic. “We heard directly from medical professionals, who explained how resources and their time is being dominated by combatting this misinformation – instead of devoting their time to research or dealing with the real-life concerns of their patients.” Read more

 

Ciresi serves up legislation for fresher school lunches

(Sep 30, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, Sept. 30 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, on Monday introduced legislation, H.B. 1890 , to create a pilot program to use scratch cooking in Pennsylvania public schools. The pilot program would have school cafeteria staff employ scratch cooking practices, which uses raw, whole ingredients, instead of pre-packaged or ultra-processed food, as the basis of school meals. “Scratch cooking offers our schools the chance to bring real food back to the lunch table,” Ciresi said. This pilot program would: Provide competitive grants to Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) ready to expand or transition to scratch cooking in their cafeterias. Invest in training for food service staff and necessary cafeteria improvements. Gather data on costs, student participation, nutrition outcomes, and operational feasibility to guide future expansion. “At a time when obesity is rising across the country thanks in part to a national diet relying on ultra-processed foods, I consider teaching our kids the benefits of eating fresh food and encouraging the development of healthy eating habits as a fundamental part of the educational project here in Pennsylvania,” Ciresi said. Ciresi pointed to a 2024 study, the largest-ever review of studies about the dangers of diets high in ultra-processed foods, which linked them with increased risks for premature death, cardiovascular disease, mental health disorders, diabetes, obesity, and sleep Read more

 

House passes Kinkead bill to create state-run landslide insurance program

(Sep 30, 2025) Rep. Emily Kinkead

Legislation establishing Landslide and Sinkhole Insurance Program heads to Senate Read more

 

Venkat, Flick to introduce legislation to better treat stimulant use disorder

(Sep 30, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, Sept. 30 – To help target the growing public health concern of stimulant use disorder, which includes cocaine and methamphetamine use, state Reps. Arvind Venkat and Jamie Flick are planning to introduce bipartisan legislation that would provide funding for contingency management, one of the most effective ways to treat the disorder. Unlike opioid use disorder, there is no FDA-approved medication-assisted treatment for stimulant use disorder. Contingency management is a widely recognized approach to treating stimulant use disorder and involves providing modest, non-cash incentives, such as gift cards and transit or food vouchers, after achieving certain treatment goals, including drug screens and consistent counseling attendance. “As a physician, I have seen how difficult it can be to recover from stimulant use disorder, and the impacts it has on the body,” said Venkat, D-Allegheny . “I have also seen how contingency management can help that recovery and provide an answer to Pennsylvania’s ongoing addiction concerns.” "Solutions that make sense, backed by evidence, are clearly needed in this fight against addiction,” said Flick, R-Lycoming/Union . “We know that medication-assisted treatment works with opioid addiction, and studies have shown this same effect with contingency management.” To help fund contingency management across Pennsylvania, this Read more

 

PA House passes Abney bill to achieve more healthy births

(Sep 29, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, Sept. 29 — Pennsylvania would conduct a new public awareness campaign to get more fathers involved in prenatal care and the birthing process under a bill sponsored by state Rep. Aerion Abney that passed the House today with strong bipartisan support. House Bill 1212 , dubbed the PA Dads Matter Act, directs the Department of Health to conduct the campaign. Abney, D-Allegheny, introduced the bill as part of MOMNIBUS 2.0, a comprehensive legislative package that seeks to improve birthing outcomes and confronts the staggering rate of Black maternal mortality and morbidity in Pennsylvania. “I feel very strongly about this bill,” Abney said. “A dad’s involvement can make an enormous difference in a healthy pregnancy and birth. When a dad is engaged, there are lower chances of unhealthy birth weight and lower risks of postpartum mood and anxiety disorders.” Abney, the father of two sons, modeled the bill after bipartisan federal legislation drawn up by Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., and former Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla. “The MOMNIBUS is about more than just moms!” said state Rep. Morgan Cephas, D-Philadelphia, the bill’s prime co-sponsor. “When dads and partners are engaged in the process, we know that birthing outcomes improve greatly for everyone. The Dads Matter Act highlights the role that fathers play to uplift the health and wellbeing of babies and mothers before, during and after Read more

 

Rivera to hold $CAM JAM Oct. 9

(Sep 26, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

LANCASTER, Sept. 26 – State Rep. Nikki Rivera, D-Lancaster, in partnership with AARP Pennsylvania, will host a $CAM JAM event from 10 a.m. to noon Thursday, Oct. 9 at Calvary Homes by Tandem Living, 502 Elizabeth Drive, Lancaster. “As scammers are becoming more technologically savvy, the best way for residents to protect themselves from crime and fraud is to get educated,” Rivera said. “My $CAM JAM event is a great way for area residents to learn how to spot and avoid common scams.” Representatives from the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities will lead the interactive event, which will educate attendees on how to safeguard their money from financial fraud and abuse. Attendees will also play Fraud BINGO, with a chance to win prizes. Rivera said she partnered with AARP Pennsylvania because seniors are the biggest targets for scams in the state. That follows a national trend, with millions of seniors targeted each year, resulting in an estimated $3 billion in losses annually, according to the FBI . Seniors are often targeted because they tend to be trusting, have savings, own homes and have good credit. “This fun event will especially help our senior residents learn how to spot common scams and protect their finances,” Rivera said. Light refreshments will be served. RSVPs are required, as space is limited. Residents should call Rivera’s office at 717-295-3157 or email RepRivera@pahouse.net Read more

 

Salisbury to host House Policy Committee hearing on autism Sept. 30

(Sep 26, 2025) Rep. Abigail Salisbury

HARRISBURG, Sept. 26 – In the wake of last week’s comments by federal officials linking maternal acetaminophen use to an increased risk of autism, state Rep. Abigail Salisbury will host a state legislative hearing featuring medical and scientific experts on autism next week at the state Capitol. Salisbury said the hearing, facilitated at her request by the House Majority Policy Committee, will take place at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 30 in Room 205 of the Ryan Office Building. “It’s our responsibility as lawmakers to make sure our policymaking is guided by science, not speculation,” said Salisbury, who chairs the Pennsylvania Autism Caucus and is the first person with autism to hold this position. “I am grateful to the House Majority Policy Committee for convening this hearing, which will feature medical professionals, researchers and experts on the autism spectrum to ensure our policymaking is informed by science and medical evidence—not junk science and speculation.” Salisbury said she believes the hearing will be an important first step and that she looks forward to continuing conversations with experts so that the path forward is guided by science, not fear or confusion. The meeting will be livestreamed at: https://youtube.com/live/-0WdZlhsORs . Media coverage is invited. Read more

 

Technology would increase access to state programs, services for all

(Sep 25, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

“Sadly, as we heard today, not everyone in Pennsylvania has the ability to access the services and information provided by our state government,” said Rep. Joe Hohenstein, who represents portions of Philadelphia and hosted the House Majority Policy Committee hearing during his Disability Summit at Temple University. “For many, technology can serve as a lifeline. Universal access and universal accommodation would allow everyone, including people with disabilities, to access state government services and information, including something as vital as employment opportunities.” Read more

 

Ciresi to hold fraud event for area seniors, Friday, Oct. 3

(Sep 25, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

ROYERSFORD, Sept. 25 –State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, will host a fraud event for seniors, “Popular Scams and How to Avoid Them,” from 10 a.m. to noon on Friday, Oct. 3 at the Royersford Free Public Library. “Our senior population is the biggest target for scams in Pennsylvania, so I wanted to help residents learn how to spot common scams to protect their finances,” Ciresi said. “I am grateful to Ambler Mayor Jeanne Sorg; Erin Cohen from Ambler Savings Bank; and Kate Kleinert from the AARP Consumer Task Force for their presentations that will provide our audience members with critical information and tools to help them safeguard their finances and prevent their lives from being upended by scammers.” At the event, Sorg will give a quick update on FraudSleuth, a property fraud profile feature with automatic alerts offered by the Montgomery County Recorder of Deeds. Cohen will give a presentation on check washing and business scams. Kleinert will give a talk on romance scams targeting the senior population. According to the FBI , millions of seniors each year are successfully targeted by scammers, to the tune of $3 billion in losses annually. Seniors are often targeted because they tend to be trusting, have savings, are homeowners and have good credit. “As the senior population in Pennsylvania grows, so does the problem of elder fraud,” Ciresi said. “I hope attendees come away with the knowledge Read more

 

Ciresi introduces legislation to extend deadlines to appeal Turnpike ‘V-Tolls’
6 hours ago

Pa. House Tourism Committee discusses bill to fight human trafficking
1 day ago

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities
1 day ago

Ciresi’s legislation to expand access to simplified unclaimed property claims unanimously passes the House
Oct 01, 2025

House Dems launch bills to strengthen Protection from Abuse Orders
Oct 01, 2025

Legislation to allow alkaline hydrolysis cremation in PA passes House
Oct 01, 2025

Universal Background Check Bill passes House
Oct 01, 2025

Flood Insurance Task Force recommendation passes House
Oct 01, 2025

House clears Solomon data breach bill
Oct 01, 2025

Neilson bill to protect consumers’ personal information online passes Pa. House
Oct 01, 2025

Conklin, Kephart will introduce bill to ensure fairness and transparency in sales of former state correctional facility land
Oct 01, 2025

Medical professionals detail acetaminophen and autism misinformation
Sep 30, 2025

Ciresi serves up legislation for fresher school lunches
Sep 30, 2025

House passes Kinkead bill to create state-run landslide insurance program
Sep 30, 2025

Venkat, Flick to introduce legislation to better treat stimulant use disorder
Sep 30, 2025

PA House passes Abney bill to achieve more healthy births
Sep 29, 2025

Rivera to hold $CAM JAM Oct. 9
Sep 26, 2025

Salisbury to host House Policy Committee hearing on autism Sept. 30
Sep 26, 2025

Technology would increase access to state programs, services for all
Sep 25, 2025

Ciresi to hold fraud event for area seniors, Friday, Oct. 3
Sep 25, 2025