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Williams’ bill to expand Medicaid access in Pennsylvania passes state House

(Jun 24, 2025) Rep. Dan Williams

HARRISBURG, June 24 – Bipartisan legislation introduced by state Rep. Dan Williams, D-Chester, that would help Pennsylvanians take advantage of new federal Medicaid rules that give patients and clinicians more telehealth options for behavioral health services passed the PA House today with overwhelming support. “The longstanding and outdated ‘four walls’ requirement has limited Medicaid reimbursement to services within the physical walls of a clinic,” said Williams. “This only creates barriers to care, particularly in rural areas and regions experiencing mental health workforce shortages.” The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services gave states the option to waive the requirement on Jan. 1. In response, the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services has submitted a State Plan Amendment to adopt this flexibility, which is currently awaiting federal approval. House Bill 1590 would repeal state regulations that conflict with the new federal flexibility. Importantly, the bill would not change existing rules requiring in-person treatment hours for outpatient behavioral health clinics. “Under this bill, Pennsylvania can fully implement the change, expanding access to behavioral health services and reducing care gaps for our vulnerable populations across the Commonwealth,” Williams said. The bill now moves to the state Senate for consideration. Read more

 

The 2025 federal budget is an attack on America [column]

(Jun 24, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

This Sunday, LNP published my view on how the 2025 federal budget is an attack on America by eviscerating support for: working families; care for the poor, the sick and the vulnerable; environmental protections; and smart economic policies to drive growth and save money for the future. Instead, it’s survival of the richest. Read more

 

Fleming bipartisan bill to protect firefighters’ income passes House

(Jun 24, 2025) Rep. Justin Fleming

HARRISBURG, June 23 – Bipartisan legislation from state Reps. Justin Fleming and Joe Kerwin that would exempt income tax on length of service awards for volunteer firefighters passed the House today. “Every day, our volunteer firefighters give their time and put themselves in danger to safeguard our community's health, safety, and property," said Fleming, D-Dauphin. "Our bill keeps the hard-earned money these men and women deserve in their pockets." House Bill 1306 would exclude contributions to length of service award programs from the definition of income under the Pennsylvania Personal Income Tax. “Firefighters answer the call 24/7 to protect our communities. There are great demands on their time, and they shouldn’t be taxed on the income that departments use as a retention incentive,” Kerwin, R-Dauphin, said. To retain volunteers during an ongoing statewide firefighter shortage, some fire companies are choosing to offer length of service award programs to volunteers who remain with the fire company for a dedicated amount of time. The representatives said they feel these award programs not only honor the sacrifices of the brave men and women who keep Pennsylvania safe, but also provide a retention incentive. They are concerned that contributions made by a fire company to a volunteer firefighter through a length-of-service award program can currently be Read more

 

State lawmakers introduce landmark bills to protect abortion care in Pa.

(Jun 24, 2025) Women’s Health Caucus

HARRISBURG, June 24 – Marking the third anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision, which has dismantled access to abortion health care in states across the country, Pennsylvania lawmakers today introduced two packages of bills to fight back and protect reproductive health care rights in the commonwealth. Recognizing that the fight for reproductive freedom now rests with the states, the group of legislators said that codifying legal protections for patients and providers into state law is not just a policy choice – it’s now required to uphold the rights that millions lost when Dobbs was decided. "We cannot solely rely on courts to decide women’s rights, and we will not tolerate attempts to criminalize women’s health care in our commonwealth,” said Women’s Health Caucus Co-Chair state Rep. Mary Jo Daley, D-Montgomery . “These protections are the culmination of three legislative sessions of work since Dobbs was handed down in 2022. We listened to women, expert stakeholders, human rights lawyers, doctors and nurses to clearly identify the protections that Dobbs has threatened, and then we created bills to re-establish and enshrine each of those protections at the state level. “These laws draw a clear line: we protect our patients, our providers and their privacy – regardless of where they come from. Abortion care is legal in Pennsylvania, and it must always remain Read more

 

House adopts Steele resolution to conduct study on underground power lines

(Jun 24, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

Steele’s resolution requires the Joint State Government Commission to study the efficacy of burying electric and other utility lines in Pennsylvania. This resolution follows the powerful April storms in Allegheny County, which left some residents without power for over two weeks. Read more

 

Legislation to seal eviction records for millions of Pennsylvanians who struggle to find housing passes the House

(Jun 23, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, June 23 – Legislation that would seal eviction records for the millions of Pennsylvanians who are unable to secure adequate housing due to an eviction passed the House today (105-98), announced the bill’s sponsors, state Reps. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, Jordan A. Harris, Elizabeth Fiedler and Rich Krajewski. “Evictions have contributed to the spiraling housing crisis in Pennsylvania by making it difficult, if not impossible, for deserving working Pennsylvanians to access safe and affordable housing in which to raise their children and help them secure and keep career-advancing jobs,” the bill’s prime sponsor, Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster, said. The legislation, H.B. 1095 , aims to protect communities and ensure fair housing access by instituting a statewide policy that would establish procedures to limit access to eviction records in certain cases, such as no-fault evictions. In cases where the tenant has been determined to be at fault by a judge, the records would remain accessible to the public for seven years, bringing them into line with policies related to bankruptcies and foreclosures. "Secure, affordable housing is more than a roof over someone’s head – it’s a critical building block for economic mobility, family stability, and safer neighborhoods," said Harris, who is majority chair of the House Appropriations Committee. "This legislation ensures that Pennsylvanians aren’t forever Read more

 

House Finance Committee studies eliminating tax on overtime pay

(Jun 23, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

Employees who are eligible to receive overtime pay work in some of the nation's most vital professions, such as nursing, health care, retail, hospitality, construction and manufacturing, for example. Many are not highly paid and must carefully manage their budgets to make ends meet. Today, the state House Finance Committee held a public hearing on legislation that would establish a state-level income tax credit for overtime wages, so that these hardworking employees get more back at tax season. Read more

 

House passes Rabb, Bonner bill protecting vulnerable homeowners

(Jun 23, 2025) Rep. Christopher M. Rabb

Legislation preventing forced sale of inherited property heads to Senate Read more

 

Solomon’s bill to deliver better communication between law enforcement and crime victims passes House

(Jun 23, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

Today, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed legislation (H.B. 627) authored by state Rep. Jared Solomon to set up a public safety resident communications program within the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. The program is designed to improve and modernize communication between law enforcement and the communities they serve. “This bill will deliver victims of crime with more timely information about victim and law enforcement resources they need in the hours after becoming a victim of crime,” said Solomon, House Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness Committee chairman. “In addition, it gives police departments the opportunity to get feedback about the interaction they had with communities. Together this bill will make our communities safer,” said Solomon, House Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness Committee chairman. The bill now moves to Senate for consideration. Read more

 

Fiedler, Pisciottano ‘Pay The Price You See’ bill to eliminate deceptive ‘junk fees’ passes House with bipartisan support

(Jun 23, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, June 23 – Today, legislation that would require platforms for event tickets, lodging, and food delivery to list the full, final price of their products upfront, passed the House. The bill was introduced by state Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, D-Phila, with a companion bill introduced by state Sen. Nick Pisciottano, D-Allegheny. Junk fees are the unexpected, mandatory fees added to the price of a good or service at checkout, often associated with online purchases for items like concert tickets. These fees can add up to 30% more to the original price, and they cost the average American family more than $3,000 per year. “Pennsylvanians are trying to make plans with their budgets in mind, but these hidden fees prevent people from making informed decisions,” said Fiedler. “It's more than frustrating to be scouring for hours to plan your family vacation only to get to the checkout page to see the price skyrocket. Whether it's a special occasion like a concert or a trip, we all deserve better treatment from these corporations.” House Bill 1216 would protect Pennsylvania consumers against “bait and switch” pricing practices, while allowing small businesses to compete with the artificially lowered prices used by dominant, national corporations. In 2023, the legislation was previously authored by then-Rep. Pisciottano and passed the House with significant bipartisan support. It was Read more

 

Davis bill to address flood risk for property owners passes House

(Jun 23, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, June 23 – State Rep. Tina Davis today announced the Pennsylvania House of Representatives has passed her legislation that would require municipalities to notify residents when changes to flood plain classifications occur — a crucial step toward better protecting homeowners and communities from flood risks. “As we’ve seen in Bucks County and across the Commonwealth, flooding can strike with little warning and isn’t confined to traditional high-risk zones,” Davis said. “Our landscapes are constantly evolving, and so is the information provided by FEMA. When a property’s flood risk changes, homeowners deserve to know.” House Bill 1282 mandates that municipalities provide written notice to property owners if their flood plain status changes, based on updates from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The notice must include: Confirmation that a change in flood plain classification has occurred. Contact information for the National Flood Insurance Program. The name and contact details for the municipality’s designated flood plain administrator. Davis said the bill empowers residents with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about insurance coverage, home safety measures, and emergency preparedness. “This legislation is about transparency and giving people the Read more

 

House approves bill to forbid deepfake use in PA campaigns

(Jun 23, 2025) Rep. Tarik Khan

HARRISBURG, June 23 – The PA House today approved bipartisan legislation sponsored by state Rep. Tarik Khan, D-Phila., and co-sponsored by state Rep. Jeremy Shaffer, R-Allegheny, to forbid the fraudulent misrepresentation of a candidate in a Pennsylvania election with generative artificial intelligence, or GenAI. Khan introduced H.B. 811 after AI was used to misrepresent candidates in elections across the country in 2024. Deepfake pictures, audios, and videos were used to trick voters thanks to rapid increases in GenAI. “We have a duty in the commonwealth to protect our elections from bad actors,” Khan said. “I am proud to reach across the aisle to create this bipartisan bill with Representative Shaffer. I believe it’s a strong first step in protecting the public from deceptive election ad deepfakes.” The bill would create civil penalties for the dissemination of a campaign advertisement containing an artificially generated impersonation of a candidate without consent and with the intent to unduly influence the outcome of an election in Pennsylvania. “All voters must have confidence in elections,” Shaffer said. “This piece of legislation is a proactive approach to help protect our electoral system. Currently, there are limited laws regulating the use of artificial intelligence. The integrity of our elections is foundational to our government, and Read more

 

House passes Cerrato bill to ensure safer water/sewer systems in Pa.

(Jun 23, 2025) Rep. Melissa Cerrato

“Private lateral water and sewer lines connect houses or properties to the main lines of the water and sewer system. However, when lateral lines leak, have root intrusions, or allow rainwater to infiltrate, they can have a drastic impact on the water or sewer system as a whole,” Cerrato said. “The maintenance and repair of these lines are costly and, unfortunately, these costs typically fall on homeowners, who may not have the resources to do the job.” Read more

 

Pielli’s fishing and hunting license bill passed unanimously by the House

(Jun 23, 2025) Rep. Chris Pielli

“Veterans have served all of the United States, not just one state. Their ability to enjoy the great outdoors should be enjoyed nationally with as little hindrance as possible,” said Pielli, who is an Army veteran. Read more

 

Sanchez bill modernizing Pennsylvania’s parentage laws passes House

(Jun 23, 2025) Rep. Ben Sanchez

“Children need a secure and legal parent-child relationship for so many aspects of their overall well-being, and this bill will provide the stability that fulfills that need,” Sanchez, D-Montgomery, said. “This relationship is essential for medical insurance coverage, decision-making regarding medical care and education, financial support, custody and visitation time, along with protecting the emotional wellness of children from protracted and harmful litigation.” Read more

 

House Judiciary Committee advances bipartisan legal reform bills

(Jun 23, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, June 23 – State Rep. Tim Briggs, D-Montgomery, and chair of the House Judiciary Committee, today announced that four bipartisan bills have been approved by the committee and are now headed to the full House of Representatives for consideration. “These bills reflect the collaborative work of lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to modernize and improve our judicial and legal systems,” Briggs said. “Each measure addresses a timely and important issue—from ensuring swift court action for incapacitated individuals, to bringing clarity to local law enforcement procedures, to strengthening constitutional protections in DUI cases, updating our laws to respond to the growing threat of digital deception, and protecting municipal employees who serve our communities.” The following legislation was advanced with bipartisan support: House Bill 18 , sponsored by Rep. Jeff Olsommer, R-Pike/Wayne, would require courts to hold a hearing within 30 days of receiving a petition to modify or terminate a guardianship for an incapacitated individual. This ensures that individuals and families seeking to modify guardianships receive timely judicial consideration. House Bill 1423 , sponsored by Rep. Brenda Pugh, R-Luzerne, would clarify that when there is a vacancy in the office of district attorney, the first assistant shall serve for the remainder of the unexpired term. While existing law provides guidance on who Read more

 

Kazeem’s juvenile detention facility reform legislation approved by PA House Child & Youth Committee

(Jun 20, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, June 20 – Legislation (H.R. 142) sponsored by State Rep. Carol Kazeem, D-Delaware, would direct the General Assembly’s bipartisan and bicameral research agency to conduct a study of Pennsylvania’s juvenile detention centers was approved by the House Children & Youth Committee this week. The legislation is in response to the December 2022 PA Attorney General’s Grand Jury Report, which found that the now-closed Delaware County Juvenile Detention Center failed to provide safe and secure accommodations to juveniles in its care. The report called the DCJDC a “kid jail” where the DCJDC staff exploited their power, cursing, bullying, physically abusing and sexually harassing the children, aged 10-18, in their care. The staff’s unprofessionalism was permitted by a “hands off” director, a video surveillance system characterized by “blind spots” and non-functioning equipment, a lack of oversight from county and judicial officials, and inadequate staff training, the report said. “As a state representative, I take seriously my job as a public servant to use my voice to protect the most vulnerable in our society,” Kazeem said. “The lack of standards and oversight at the DCJDC resulted in the abject failure to protect the physical, psychological and emotional welfare of the kids at the facility for decades or to provide them with the education and tools needed to reform and grow Read more

 

Neilson honors two PennDOT workers killed in line of duty

(Jun 20, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

After PennDOT announced that two workers were tragically killed in Venango County, state Rep. Ed Neilson, chair of the House Transportation Committee, released the following statement. Read more

 

Smith-Wade-El helps secure over $2M for Lancaster County housing assistance, homelessness prevention, home modification programs

(Jun 18, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

LANCASTER, June 18 – State Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster, helped secure grants totaling $2,035,000 from the Pennsylvania Housing and Finance Agency to provide low-income and unhoused Lancastrians secure, permanent housing and give existing homeowners the resources needed to repair their aging homes. “Housing is basic human right,” Smith-Wade-El said. “But for many people due to the affordable housing crisis, it feels like an out-of-reach luxury. These PHARE grants will provide critical funding to ensure that vulnerable populations, such as individuals and families who have experienced homelessness, can find stable housing like at Dinah’s Hill Apartments, or low-income homeowners living in aging homes can make the necessary repairs to make them safe and inhabitable, as Partners with Purpose is doing. “Too often the poor are not treated with the respect they deserve as human beings, and one of the things they are forced to make do with is living in substandard public housing,” Smith-Wade-El said. “So, I am particularly thrilled that the Lancaster City’s Farnum Street East project has received $300,000 in funding to rehabilitate the public housing structure. This money will help ensure that its 169 units will be comfortable homes for some of our city's most vulnerable residents. It's what they merit as members of our community." The successful applicants receiving funding are: $35,000 for Good Read more

 

House Transportation Committee approves Dougherty bill punishing interference of public transit operators

(Jun 18, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, June 17 – Today, the Pennsylvania House Transportation Committee approved legislation introduced by state Rep. Sean Dougherty, D-Phila., that would create stronger penalties for interference with the operation or movement of a public transit vehicle. Under this legislation ( H.B. 1416 ), any interference that causes the serious bodily injury or death of an operator would be punishable as a felony. Any interference that results in bodily injury or the fear of imminent serious bodily injury or death would also be subject to significant penalties. “As public officials, it is our duty to do everything in our power to ensure the safety of all Pennsylvanians, especially those who provide essential services in our communities,” Dougherty said. “Nobody should have to fear not making it home after a day of work. I sincerely believe that this legislation will safeguard the well-being of transit operators and their passengers by strongly discouraging any form of violence against these individuals.” On the morning of Oct. 26, 2023, longtime Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority employee Bernard Gribbin was tragically shot and killed while on duty and operating a Route 23 bus in Philadelphia. Dougherty said his legislation intends to more strongly punish those who commit these acts, and hopefully prevent these acts in the future. The bill now heads to the full House for consideration. Read more

 

Williams’ bill to expand Medicaid access in Pennsylvania passes state House
Jun 24, 2025

The 2025 federal budget is an attack on America [column]
Jun 24, 2025

Fleming bipartisan bill to protect firefighters’ income passes House
Jun 24, 2025

State lawmakers introduce landmark bills to protect abortion care in Pa.
Jun 24, 2025

House adopts Steele resolution to conduct study on underground power lines
Jun 24, 2025

Legislation to seal eviction records for millions of Pennsylvanians who struggle to find housing passes the House
Jun 23, 2025

House Finance Committee studies eliminating tax on overtime pay
Jun 23, 2025

House passes Rabb, Bonner bill protecting vulnerable homeowners
Jun 23, 2025

Solomon’s bill to deliver better communication between law enforcement and crime victims passes House
Jun 23, 2025

Fiedler, Pisciottano ‘Pay The Price You See’ bill to eliminate deceptive ‘junk fees’ passes House with bipartisan support
Jun 23, 2025

Davis bill to address flood risk for property owners passes House
Jun 23, 2025

House approves bill to forbid deepfake use in PA campaigns
Jun 23, 2025

House passes Cerrato bill to ensure safer water/sewer systems in Pa.
Jun 23, 2025

Pielli’s fishing and hunting license bill passed unanimously by the House
Jun 23, 2025

Sanchez bill modernizing Pennsylvania’s parentage laws passes House
Jun 23, 2025

House Judiciary Committee advances bipartisan legal reform bills
Jun 23, 2025

Kazeem’s juvenile detention facility reform legislation approved by PA House Child & Youth Committee
Jun 20, 2025

Neilson honors two PennDOT workers killed in line of duty
Jun 20, 2025

Smith-Wade-El helps secure over $2M for Lancaster County housing assistance, homelessness prevention, home modification programs
Jun 18, 2025

House Transportation Committee approves Dougherty bill punishing interference of public transit operators
Jun 18, 2025