Earlier this week, the House returned to fall session to continue working on the budget and to pass a package of gun-violence prevention bills. One of those bills was my HB 1859, also known as Extreme Risk Protection Orders. Sadly, the bill did not pass out of the House, failing 101-102 with every single Republican & one Democrat voting NO. I could not be more disappointed in my colleagues who are choosing politics over people. These bills will save lives and they are needed now more than ever as gun violence continues to haunt our communities. Read more
Rep. Jennifer O’Mara ERPO legislation, HB 1859 Thank you, Madam Speaker, and thank you to the Majority Leader for considering House Bill 1859, which would establish Extreme Risk Protection Orders in Pennsylvania. I was not expecting to be back with you so soon after welcoming my second child, a little boy named William Joseph. He is nine weeks old today and currently at home with my mom as my husband recovers from surgery. It was not easy to be here today while on maternity leave, but it was so important for my family to do everything we can to address gun violence. My son carries the name of my late father, Joseph O’Mara—the reason that I am here today. As many of you know, when I was 13 years old, I lost my father to gun suicide. My dad was a Philadelphia firefighter and U.S. Marine. Like many veterans and first responders, he struggled with his mental health. He ultimately lost his vicious battle with undiagnosed mental health issues and died by gun suicide in 2003. My family knew something was wrong and that firearms were in the house, but we couldn't do anything to help my dad. This is because under our current state law, the only intervention available is a 302 involuntary commitment. Sadly, in our state, my story is far from unique. We lose nearly 2000 Pennsylvanians to suicide a year, and guns are the most used method, accounting for 55% of suicides. Read more
HARRISBURG, Sept. 25 – In Washington, turmoil has grown among health policy agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which oversee key aspects of public health, including vaccines. In response, state Reps. Arvind Venkat , Tarik Khan , Bridget M. Kosierowski and Jennifer M. O’Mara have introduced legislation to protect Pennsylvanians’ access to vaccines provided by pharmacists, regardless of federal policy changes. Current state law allows pharmacists to administer vaccines based on CDC recommendations. The new legislation, H.B. 1881 , would also allow pharmacists to provide vaccines based on recommendations from Pennsylvania health authorities, which may draw from guidance issued by professional medical societies. “Chaos in federal health agency policymaking, which is no longer backed by scientific evidence but instead by anti-vaccine ideology, will cost people’s lives,” said Venkat, D-Allegheny. “This legislation will allow Pennsylvanians to avoid the politicization of health care and get the lifesaving vaccines they need, even if the federal government stops recommending them purely due to politics.” Under the proposal, state vaccination approvals would come from Pennsylvania’s health authorities and could be informed by professional medical societies such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the Read more
Suicide is a national public health crisis, causing immeasurable pain for people, families, and communities. In 2023, nearly 50,000 Americans died by suicide and 12.8 million people reported seriously considering suicide. This month is National Suicide Prevention Month—a time to raise awareness, share resources, and remind one another that help is always available. Read more
As Pennsylvanians living with severe mental health struggles continue to try to find treatment that works for them, studies show that new, innovative therapies can help address treatment-resistant depression. Read more
Dear Neighbor, Students are back in school, but unfortunately, there’s no guarantee that the state will provide local school districts with additional funding this year. The state budget is still being negotiated, and of the two chambers in the General Assembly, only the House has approved a budget bill that increases funding for Pennsylvania schools. Read more
HARRISBURG, Sept. 2 – In Washington, there has been increasing turmoil among health policy agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that handle many important aspects of public health, including vaccines. Because of this, state Reps. Arvind Venkat, Tarik Khan, Bridget M. Kosierowski and Jennifer M. O’Mara intend to introduce legislation that would protect Pennsylvanians’ access to vaccines provided by pharmacists regardless of federal policy changes. Current state law allows pharmacists to administer vaccines based on federal recommendations from the CDC. This new legislation would allow pharmacists to provide vaccines also based on recommendations from state health authorities, which may be informed by professional medical societies. “We will very soon see pharmacies cease their providing of certain vaccines due to the ongoing political turmoil in our federal health agencies, including the CDC,” said Venkat, D-Allegheny . “Chaos in federal health agency policymaking, which is no longer backed by scientific evidence, but instead by anti-vaccine ideology, will cost people’s lives. This legislation will allow Pennsylvanians to avoid this politicization of healthcare and get the life-saving vaccines they need, even if the federal government stops recommending them purely due to politics.” State vaccination administration approvals would additionally come from Read more
I’m disheartened to write to you about the imminent cuts to bus and rail routes at SEPTA—the transit crisis is here. Service cuts are scheduled to begin Sunday, and you can see how they will affect your routes here. Fare increases averaging 21.5% go into effect Sept. 1, and you can see how much your fares will increase here. In the House, we understand how important transit is to workers, employers, seniors, students, and others. Unfortunately, the GOP-controlled Senate feels differently. Read more
Rep. O'Mara's August 2025 print newsletter Read more
Like many of you, I’m troubled about what lies ahead for SEPTA if the state doesn’t pitch in to help with its budget shortfall. Cuts to bus routes and rail lines are planned to start on Aug. 24 if funds are not allocated by Aug. 14. Many of you have been in contact with my office about how these cuts will impact you and your community, and I understand why you’re worried. Read more
Today, July 25, marks the 47th anniversary of a medical miracle once thought impossible: in vitro fertilization. Since the birth of the first IVF baby in 1978, reproductive medicine has transformed countless lives. Yet today, too many hopeful parents in the United States still see this life-giving treatment as an unattainable luxury -- simply because of cost. Private clinics routinely charge upwards of $15,000 for a single IVF cycle, and most insurance plans refuse to cover fertility treatments. That price tag shuts out millions of Americans who dream of starting a family, creating an unconscionable divide between those who can afford assisted reproduction and those who cannot. When basic medical care is determined by one’s bank balance, we undermine the very principle of health equity. Deciding to expand your family is intensely personal. For the roughly 11 % of women and 9 % of men in the U.S. grappling with infertility -- whether due to endometriosis, PCOS, fibroids, genetic conditions or other obstacles -- assisted reproductive technologies often represent the only path to parenthood. Denying coverage for diagnostics, lab work, embryo transfers, inseminations or preservation care isn’t just a financial barrier; it’s an assault on reproductive autonomy. We must recognize fertility care as essential medicine, not an elective add-on for the well-heeled. That’s why House Bill 922 demands mandatory insurance coverage for the full Read more
Last week, House Democrats made progress on the state budget, but we need more agreement in Harrisburg to finalize it. The House approved a compromise state budget plan, a scaled-back version of Gov. Shapiro’s budget proposal, and sent it to the GOP-controlled Senate. Despite scaling back some lines in the governor’s budget, the House budget still adds money for schools and other critical programs without raising taxes. This is in addition to the transit funding bill that was sent to the Senate in June. Read more
This week, PA House Democrats and Gov. Josh Shapiro continued to push for more money for schools and SEPTA in this year’s state budget, but I know that many of you have been focused on what’s happening in Washington, D.C. I share the concerns of many Delaware County residents worried about the effect of federal cuts to Medicaid and SNAP and changes to student loan programs. In Delco, approximately 127,000 people are enrolled in Medicaid, and 76,000 people receive SNAP benefits. Read more
Last week, the House passed Gov. Shapiro’s plan to send much-needed additional money to SEPTA and other public transit agencies—as well road and bridge projects across Pennsylvania. HB 1364 reallocates $300 million for mass transit statewide from existing state sales tax revenue and sets aside $500 million to repay new state bonds for road and bridge construction. This legislation does not create any new taxes and would also form the Transportation Funding Advisory Commission to produce a comprehensive, strategic funding proposal by January 1 of 2026. This is now the fourth time the PA House has passed legislation to help our mass transit funding crisis – the last three times saw no action by the Senate. Read more
Health care wins Read more
Under the legislation, students at out-of-state schools would be able to continue seeing their trusted counselor, and hard-working Pennsylvanians traveling for business or working across state lines would have access to virtual sessions that fit their schedules. Read more
With today being the second to last day of Mental Health Awareness Month, I wanted to touch on the importance of accessible mental health care. Every 11 minutes, someone in America dies from suicide. If this crisis continues going unchecked, people will continue losing loved ones to deaths that are preventable. Read more
Veterans: How to apply for a vehicle registration fee waiver A new state program allows Severely Disabled Veterans to forgo the fees for titling or registering one vehicle. The qualifying vehicle must be a passenger vehicle or truck with a registered weight of 9,000 pounds or less. To qualify, a veteran must have a 100% service-connected disability that has been certified by a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office Administrator. These disabilities include: Lost a limb or eye or became partially paralyzed while serving; Was captured by the enemy in any armed conflict for which the U.S. Dept. of Defense authorizes a campaign medal, or; Has been awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor or the Purple Heart. To apply, you must fill out this form: MV-371DV- Supplemental Application for Free or Reduced Registration Rates for Veterans Here are further instructions for filling out the form based on your type of disability: Box 1. Disabled Veteran Sections A, B and D need to be completed. Need copy of their DD-214 or one of the following: Promulgation, Award Letter, Single Notifications Letter or Summary of Benefits Letter that indicates I have a service-connected disability. Box 2. Have a Service-Connected Disability certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Sections A, C, and D need to be completed. Section C needs to be signed by U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office Administration. Box 3. Read more
I’ve been working for years in Harrisburg to erode the mental health stigma as well as ensure that first responders have the tools that they need to effectively do their jobs. Last year, my efforts paid off when Gov. Josh Shapiro signed my measure into law – Act 121 of 2024 – to change the Workers’ Compensation law to cover Post-Traumatic Stress Injury for first responders. Read more
Crozer Hospital will close today, May 2, and I know that leaves residents, patients and staff with many unanswered questions. I hope the information below is helpful; whether you’re looking for a new job, to obtain your medical records, need mental health services or need assistance with a related issue. Read more
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