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

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

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

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

POTTSTOWN, June 12 – State Rep. Paul Friel today announced that East Coventry Township has been awarded a $97,399 Keystone Historic Preservation Grant through the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, funding that will help preserve local historic resources and strengthen the community's connection to its heritage. The grant is part of more than $2.2 million awarded statewide through the Keystone Historic Preservation Grant Program, which supports projects that identify, preserve, protect and promote Pennsylvania's historic and archaeological resources. "I was proud to support this investment because preserving our history is an investment in our future," said Friel, D-Chester. "East Coventry Township is home to important historic assets that help tell the story of our community and our commonwealth. This funding will help ensure those stories are preserved for future generations, enhancing our way of life and community pride." The Keystone Historic Preservation Grant Program provides matching funds for planning and construction projects that preserve historic resources and support local revitalization efforts. Grants are awarded through a competitive application process and require a 50% local match. The funding comes in time to celebrate America's 250th anniversary in 2026. Historic preservation projects across the commonwealth are helping communities showcase Pennsylvania's central Read more

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 Read more

HARRISBURG, June 10 – In a clear demonstration of bipartisan support for the commonwealth’s first responders, the House Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness Committee today overwhelmingly approved state Rep. Joe Ciresi’s legislation to establish a statewide program providing free annual cancer screenings for firefighters. House Bill 2394 would ensure that firefighters can access annual cancer screening examinations at no cost when those services are not fully covered by their health insurance. The program would apply to both career and volunteer firefighters across the Commonwealth. According to Ciresi, firefighters’ repeated job-related exposure to cancer-causing chemicals has led the disease to become one of the leading causes of line-of-duty deaths. Studies by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health found that firefighters face a 9% increase in cancer diagnoses, and a 14% increase in cancer-related deaths, compared to the general population in the U.S. “Today’s vote shouts out loud and clear to our firefighters that we recognize the health risk of occupational cancer they uniquely face and that we have their backs,” said Ciresi, D-Montgomery. “Currently, many of our firefighters must choose between their health and their families’ finances. That is a moral outrage. My legislation would improve our firefighters’ health outcomes—and shield them from crushing health care Read more

The state House today approved on a bipartisan vote a bill sponsored by state Rep. Jennifer O’Mara, D-Delaware, to protect prospective parents’ rights to fertility treatments in Pennsylvania. Read more

HARRISBURG, June 9 – Legislation that would significantly expand access to low-interest financing for Pennsylvania farmers to grow and modernize their operations advanced unanimously from the state House Commerce Committee on Monday, announced the bill’s prime sponsors. State Reps. Paul Friel and John Lawrence said that their H.B. 2207 would help augment critical agricultural operations and keep Pennsylvania competitive in an increasingly challenging economic environment. Pennsylvania farmers face rising costs for land, equipment, buildings and other investments necessary to sustain and expand their operations. While the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority's Small Business First Fund provides valuable financing opportunities, agricultural businesses are limited to loans of $400,000, far below the $2 million cap available to non-agricultural enterprises. "Our farmers are small business owners, job creators and essential contributors to Pennsylvania's economy," said Friel, D-Chester . "As costs continue to rise, access to affordable capital is more important than ever. This legislation would ensure that farmers have the same opportunities as other businesses to invest in their operations, create jobs, and strengthen our agricultural economy." “I’m grateful for the strong bipartisan support to modernize agricultural lending at PIDA,” said Lawrence, R-Chester . “This Read more