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House lawmakers propose bill to protect preventive medical care

(22 hours ago) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, June 18 – As federal officials continue to threaten public health, state Reps. Arvind Venkat, Tarik Khan and Bridget Kosierowski, all healthcare professionals, have announced their intention to introduce legislation that would require insurers to continue to cover previously recommended forms of preventive care and allow the Pennsylvania Department of Health to update those recommendations based on the best scientific evidence informed by healthcare professional organizations. The proposed legislation would require insurers in Pennsylvania to cover all forms of preventive services recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and the Health Resources and Services Administration as of Jan. 1, 2025. These three agencies have seen significant leadership changes since that time, raising concerns over their independence and scientific credibility. Under the Affordable Care Act, insurers must cover preventive medical care services recommended by these federal bodies without patient financial responsibility. With the federal changes in these critical entities, Venkat said the validity of their recommendations is very much in question, threatening the insurance coverage of preventive medical care for all Pennsylvanians. “As a physician-legislator, I have seen how access to evidence-based preventive medical care is under attack,” said Venkat, Read more

 

Ciresi bill requiring transparency in data center development advances

(1 day ago) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, June 18 – Legislation introduced by state Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, to increase transparency in data center development was approved Wednesday by the House Energy Committee by a 23-3 vote and now advances to the full House for consideration. House Bill 2359 would require developers of data centers with a peak electrical demand of over 10 megawatts to engage with local communities and their residents before construction and disclose information about the facilities’ impact to qualify for a sales tax exemption for data center-related computer equipment. The legislation specifically targets large-scale/high-impact data centers and excludes smaller data centers that do not pose the same environmental or quality-of-life risks to nearby residents. Qualifying data centers would specifically be required to: submit a “community protection plan” documenting the owner/operator’s engagement with the community and municipality before construction, including holding public meetings and pre-construction consultations with the municipality. complete an annual project footprint report on estimated local water and energy usage. refrain from entering any non-disclosure agreement with government agencies. “This legislation would help level the playing field between data center developers and local communities,” Ciresi said. “It would require developers to be open and transparent about the environmental impact Read more

 

New bill cracks down on crypto ATM scams targeting Pennsylvania consumers

(1 day ago) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

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

 

New bill cracks down on crypto ATM scams targeting Pennsylvania consumers

(1 day ago) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

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

 

Rivera bill to lower electricity costs, increase reliability through grid-scale battery storage advances from committee

(1 day ago) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, June 17 – Legislation aimed at reducing electricity costs and increasing reliability for Pennsylvania households and small businesses by requiring electric utilities to set targets for and procure grid-stabilizing battery storage cleared the Pennsylvania House Energy Committee today, the bill’s prime sponsor, state Rep. Nikki Rivera, D-Lancaster, announced. “Increasing demand for energy for cloud computing, artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies is rapidly driving up electricity costs for Pennsylvanians,” Rivera said. “My legislation offers a practical, proven solution to help keep the lights on and electric bills affordable by requiring electric utilities to set targets for and invest in grid-stabilizing battery storage.” House Bill 2380 would require Pennsylvania’s largest electric utilities to install 3,000 megawatts of battery storage by 2033. The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission would assign the shares of the 3,000 megawatts based on the service load and annual peak demand of each electric company with more than 600,000 customers. Rivera’s plan would help lower costs by reducing congestion on the electric grid, limiting the need for expensive infrastructure upgrades and reducing reliance on costly peak-period power purchases. The bill also includes competitive procurement requirements and regulatory oversight to help ensure that projects deliver value for ratepayers. Read more

 

New bill would create critical pause button for data center development in Pa.

(1 day ago) Rep. Paul Friel

HARRISBURG, June 17 – A fast-tracking state House bill empowering Pennsylvania municipalities to pause data center projects advanced unanimously from the House Local Government Committee this morning, said the legislation’s sponsor, state Rep. Paul Friel, D-Chester. Under H.B. 2496 , which Friel said is expected to pass the House as early as next week, municipalities could enact up to a 180-day pause on data center application considerations by adopting a resolution. During a pause municipalities could adopt, amend or repeal parts of their land use ordinances relating to data centers. Critically, the pause dates back to the moment the public was notified of the meeting agenda, and any application filed during the pause is subject to the new rules. “This bill gives Pennsylvania officials – who have an extremely tough job right now managing this unprecedented sector growth – the time needed to research, draft and pass comprehensive land-use ordinances updated and fit for data centers,” Friel said . “Data centers are not a customer that all states saw coming. It will allow our local elected supervisors and councilmembers to develop protections for their communities, who face real negative consequences from unchecked development.” In Pennsylvania, a municipality may use its zoning powers to regulate development, but it cannot outright prohibit a specific development. Data centers, which are large Read more

 

House continues efforts to update modern terminology in state law

(1 day ago) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

Recognizing the need to change outdated terminology in laws to better reflect modern language, the Pennsylvania House today passed legislation introduced by state Rep. Darisha Parker, D-Phila., that would update references to the agency in charge of providing human services to Pennsylvanians. Read more

 

House Energy Committee advances legislation to optimize electric grid, accelerate interconnection to meet rising energy demand

(1 day ago) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, June 17 – Continuing its efforts to address the root causes of rising energy prices in Pennsylvania, the House Energy Committee voted favorably to advance key bills that leverage the state’s existing grid infrastructure and next-generation technologies to meet rising demand and improve grid reliability.The bills are: •H.B. 2380: Deploying Battery Storage to Meet Peak Demand.•H.B. 2595: Reducing Interconnection Delays by Slashing Red Tape. Read more

 

Friel, Kinkead bill to protect good Samaritans in drug, alcohol overdoses passes House

(1 day ago) Rep. Paul Friel

HARRISBURG, June 17 – The Pennsylvania House on Wednesday passed H.B. 1944, which would protect individuals who help another person in the event of a drug or alcohol overdose, announced state Reps. Paul Friel and Emily Kinkead, who sponsored the bill. House Bill 1944 , which passed with broad bipartisan support , would protect people, such as college students, from endangerment charges if they are administering aid to a person suffering an emergency overdose. “Creating a culture of safety on campus means removing the threat of disciplinary action so students can step up and help one another without hesitation,” said Friel, D-Chester . “When we eliminate the fear of punishment, we break down the biggest barrier to calling for emergency help, which ultimately saves lives.” “In a life-or-death crisis, hesitation can be fatal. Fear of legal repercussions should never stand in the way of a person doing the right thing,” said Kinkead, D-Allegheny . “This legislation guarantees that anyone who steps forward to help someone experiencing an overdose or alcohol poisoning will be shielded from criminal liability. “By moving this legislation forward, we are ensuring that Pennsylvanians – especially our youth – can protect their peers during an emergency without risking their own futures.” The representatives heard during a March public hearing that this legislation Read more

 

Pielli’s artificial intelligence content disclosure bill approved by Pa. House

(1 day ago) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

“The premise of this bill is simple. If it’s AI, it has to say it’s AI,” Pielli said. “People deserve to know if what they’re looking at is real or not when making purchases. Disclosures should be clear and conspicuous in the same medium as the content generated to help consumers make better-informed and more secure purchases. Read more

 

County probation officer body cam bill passes House

(1 day ago) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

The barrier to county probation officers wearing body cameras is on the way to being cleared after legislation sponsored by Rep. Ryan Bizzarro (D-Erie) passed the House Wednesday with strong bipartisan support. Read more

 

Kinkead bill for special education funding reform passes PA House

(Jun 16, 2026) Rep. Emily Kinkead

Legislation boosting, improving Special Education Contingency Fund advances to Senate Read more

 

Pennsylvania House passes Davidson’s Virtual Power Plant legislation

(Jun 16, 2026) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

"This bill is about practical solutions, affordability and modernizing our infrastructure without placing a burden on ratepayers," said Davidson. "Pennsylvanians are looking for relief when paying their energy bills. By using technologies many families already have in their homes, we can reduce the strain on our electric grid, prevent costly system upgrades and put money directly back into the pockets of consumers who choose to participate." Read more

 

PA House Democratic Leadership issues statement on Pa. Supreme Court ruling on skill games

(Jun 16, 2026) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, June 16, 2026 - Pennsylvania House Democratic Leaders issued the following statement on the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania’s ruling on skill games: “The Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s ruling makes it clear: skill games are illegal slot machines. We are encouraged that Senate Republicans may now be ready to proceed on bipartisan legislation to regulate skill games, and we look forward to seeing what they can pass in a bipartisan fashion in their chamber.” Read more

 

Abney applauds state court’s skill game ruling, calls for stronger oversight

(Jun 16, 2026) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, June 16 – State Rep. Aerion Abney released the following statement regarding Monday’s ruling by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court that skill games are illegal in the commonwealth: “ The Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s decision confirms what many of us have long believed: skill games are illegal under existing Pennsylvania law. This ruling provides long-awaited clarity and presents an opportunity for the Commonwealth to establish a responsible, transparent framework moving forward. “For too long, skill game machines have proliferated across Pennsylvania with little to no meaningful oversight. These machines can be found in communities throughout Pittsburgh and across the Commonwealth, yet there are few safeguards to ensure accountability, consumer protection or transparency regarding how the money generated is managed and distributed. That lack of regulation has created an uneven playing field and left significant revenue on the table. “As the General Assembly considers next steps, we must strike a balance that protects the service organizations, veterans groups, clubs and small businesses that have come to rely on income associated with these machines, while also ensuring appropriate regulation and taxation. Those goals are not mutually exclusive. We can support community organizations and establish the oversight necessary to protect players, strengthen public trust, and ensure revenues Read more

 

Ciresi proposes moratorium on AI chatbots in children’s toys

(Jun 15, 2026) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, June 15 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi, majority chair of the House Communications & Technology Committee, today continues to demonstrate leadership on emerging technology issues and consumer protection in Pennsylvania through the introduction of H.B. 2637 that would impose a three-year moratorium on the sale of artificial intelligence chatbot-enabled toys for children to allow for more research on its effects. AI-enabled toys use an Internet connection and a microphone and speaker that allow teddy bears, plushies, robots, and other toys to engage in real-time, dynamic conversations. “Talking toys were once the stuff of children’s literature like The Velveteen Rabbit and Winnie-the-Pooh, but AI-enabled toys are turning those children’s fantasy companions into reality—and that reality is disturbing,” Ciresi said. “Technology is developing so rapidly industry and government need time to better understand how AI-powered toys may affect young kids.” Ciresi said reports by the U.S. Public Interest Research Group Education Fund and NBC News raised his concerns about the technology after some AI-enabled toys, marketed for children between 3 and 12, discussed sexually explicit topics and provided detailed answers on how to find and use potentially dangerous household objects such as matches and knives. The representative pointed out that the developers of most major AI platforms, such as ChatGPT and Read more

 

Ciresi proposes moratorium on AI chatbots in children’s toys

(Jun 15, 2026) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, June 15 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi, majority chair of the House Communications & Technology Committee, today continues to demonstrate leadership on emerging technology issues and consumer protection in Pennsylvania through the introduction of H.B. 2637 that would impose a three-year moratorium on the sale of artificial intelligence chatbot-enabled toys for children to allow for more research on its effects. AI-enabled toys use an Internet connection and a microphone and speaker that allow teddy bears, plushies, robots, and other toys to engage in real-time, dynamic conversations. “Talking toys were once the stuff of children’s literature like The Velveteen Rabbit and Winnie-the-Pooh, but AI-enabled toys are turning those children’s fantasy companions into reality—and that reality is disturbing,” Ciresi said. “Technology is developing so rapidly industry and government need time to better understand how AI-powered toys may affect young kids.” Ciresi said reports by the U.S. Public Interest Research Group Education Fund and NBC News raised his concerns about the technology after some AI-enabled toys, marketed for children between 3 and 12, discussed sexually explicit topics and provided detailed answers on how to find and use potentially dangerous household objects such as matches and knives. The representative pointed out that the developers of most major AI platforms, such as ChatGPT and Read more

 

Williams bipartisan bill to protect SNAP benefits unanimously passes House

(Jun 15, 2026) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

The state House of Representatives unanimously passed critical bipartisan legislation sponsored by Rep. Dan Williams, D-Chester, and Rep. Doyle Heffley, R-Carbon, to reduce theft of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits. Read more

 

Rivera’s bill to close EITC reporting gaps introduced

(Jun 12, 2026) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, June 12 – State Rep. Nikki Rivera, D-Lancaster, today introduced H.B. 2632 which would improve transparency in Educational Improvement Tax Credit programs by closing reporting gaps to ensure that funds are directed to their intended recipients. Rivera said EITC programs have grown into a $680 million public investment in nonpublic education in fiscal year 2025-26, more than four times the $150 million cap in place a decade ago. However, the Independent Fiscal Office has found that critical data gaps make it impossible to fully evaluate the program's effectiveness. “While EITC funding has quadrupled over the last decade, key reporting gaps have left lawmakers and taxpayers unable to assess whether public funds have reached the students and schools they were intended to aid,” Rivera said. “That should concern everyone. “My legislation would close these reporting gaps and ensure greater accountability so we know that these scholarships have reached the intended students.” House Bill 2632 would: Reallocate credits in 2026-27 to better align with program demand. Create a new program beginning in 2027-28. The new program would: Increase oversight of scholarship granting organizations. Target resources to students living in the attendance area of a low-achieving public school or attending a nonpublic school in a low-income ZIP code. Increase transparency on how scholarship dollars are used, Read more

 

Rivera’s second BUS IT TO MARKET June 27 Event promotes quick, affordable RRTA bus trip, clean air

(Jun 12, 2026) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

LANCASTER, June 11 – Building on the success of her May event promoting Red Rose Authority’s services, state Rep. Nikki Rivera, D-Lancaster, will lead a second “Bus it to Market” trip on Saturday, June 27, to Central Market in Lancaster to raise awareness of the region’s affordable bus transportation system. “Residents on last month’s ‘Bus it to Market’ trip told me how much they enjoyed the ease and affordability of RRTA’s bus ride to Central Market,” Rivera said. “I’m leading a second ride so that more of our residents can experience for themselves how central Lancaster City’s eclectic mix of one-of-a-kind shops and creative restaurants is just a short RRTA bus ride away. And knowledge of how to use our public transportation can lead to new job opportunities.” Rivera said that she hopes her Bus It to Market excursions will show residents that RRTA buses are a fast, reliable, and inexpensive way to get to Lancaster and other places in the region. According to Rivera, Lancaster has unhealthy levels of air pollution. She cited the American Lung Association’s 2025 “State of the Air” report, which listed the Lancaster metro area as rejoining the worst 25 cities in the U.S., at 22nd most polluted in the nation and second worst in the Mid-Atlantic for daily particle pollution. The Lancaster area’s year-round pollution went from bad to worse, from 57th to 45th Read more

 

House lawmakers propose bill to protect preventive medical care
22 hours ago

Ciresi bill requiring transparency in data center development advances
1 day ago

New bill cracks down on crypto ATM scams targeting Pennsylvania consumers
1 day ago

New bill cracks down on crypto ATM scams targeting Pennsylvania consumers
1 day ago

Rivera bill to lower electricity costs, increase reliability through grid-scale battery storage advances from committee
1 day ago

New bill would create critical pause button for data center development in Pa.
1 day ago

House continues efforts to update modern terminology in state law
1 day ago

House Energy Committee advances legislation to optimize electric grid, accelerate interconnection to meet rising energy demand
1 day ago

Friel, Kinkead bill to protect good Samaritans in drug, alcohol overdoses passes House
1 day ago

Pielli’s artificial intelligence content disclosure bill approved by Pa. House
1 day ago

County probation officer body cam bill passes House
1 day ago

Kinkead bill for special education funding reform passes PA House
Jun 16, 2026

Pennsylvania House passes Davidson’s Virtual Power Plant legislation
Jun 16, 2026

PA House Democratic Leadership issues statement on Pa. Supreme Court ruling on skill games
Jun 16, 2026

Abney applauds state court’s skill game ruling, calls for stronger oversight
Jun 16, 2026

Ciresi proposes moratorium on AI chatbots in children’s toys
Jun 15, 2026

Ciresi proposes moratorium on AI chatbots in children’s toys
Jun 15, 2026

Williams bipartisan bill to protect SNAP benefits unanimously passes House
Jun 15, 2026

Rivera’s bill to close EITC reporting gaps introduced
Jun 12, 2026

Rivera’s second BUS IT TO MARKET June 27 Event promotes quick, affordable RRTA bus trip, clean air
Jun 12, 2026