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House Judiciary Committee advances Reproductive Rights Amendment

(Oct 22, 2025) Rep. Danielle Friel Otten

HARRISBURG, Oct. 22 – The Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee today approved a joint resolution sponsored by state Reps. Danielle Friel Otten, D-Chester, Liz Hanbidge, D-Montgomery, and La’Tasha D. Mayes, D-Allegheny, that would add a Reproductive Rights Amendment to the Pennsylvania constitution. The proposed legislation, introduced as H.B. 1957 , comes at a pivotal moment in the national conversation on reproductive rights. Since the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, the authority to regulate reproductive health care has shifted to individual states, prompting a wave of legislative and voter-led efforts across the country. In response, voters in states such as Ohio, Michigan, Vermont and California have approved constitutional amendments or ballot initiatives to enshrine reproductive rights in their state constitutions. These actions reflect a growing recognition that state-level protections are now essential to safeguarding access to abortion and other reproductive health care. Pennsylvania’s proposed amendment seeks to join this national movement by ensuring reproductive freedom is permanently enshrined in the state constitution. The Otten, Hanbidge and Mayes bill proposes an amendment to the Pennsylvania constitution that would reaffirm and protect every Pennsylvanian’s right to privacy and ensure that the state shall not deny or Read more

 

Pa. House Judiciary Committee advances key measures to protect health privacy, reproductive rights and public safety

(Oct 22, 2025) Women’s Health Caucus

HARRISBURG, Oct. 22 – The Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee today held a public hearing on a proposed state constitutional amendment (H.B.1957), followed by a voting meeting to advance significant women’s health measures designed to protect medical privacy, strengthen reproductive freedom and safeguard health care providers and patients from out-of-state interference. The committee heard testimony from advocates, medical professionals and policy experts on H.B. 1957, which would enshrine reproductive rights in the state constitution, and the members voted on other women’s health legislation, including the following House bills sponsored by Women’s Health Caucus Co-Chair Mary Jo Daley and state Rep. Melissa Shusterman . H.B. 1640 – Would protect health care records related to reproductive services from disclosure in Pennsylvania civil and criminal actions or investigations, ensuring patient confidentiality. H.B. 1641 – Would instruct insurance companies to not take adverse action against health care providers that offer reproductive services to out-of-state residents. H.B. 1643 – Would prohibit Pennsylvania courts from enforcing judgments from other states in cases involving reproductive health care services, preserving Pennsylvania’s legal independence. H.B. 1966 – Would prohibit Pennsylvania courts from cooperating with out-of-state civil and criminal cases involving reproductive Read more

 

Ciresi introduces bill to prohibit trespassing using drones

(Oct 17, 2025) Southeast Delegation

HARRISBURG, Oct. 17 – A bill, H.B. 1926, prohibiting trespassing with a drone was introduced this week by state Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery. The bill would strengthen criminal trespass laws in Pennsylvania. “Although state law in Pennsylvania forbids someone from physically trespassing on another person’s property, it has not been adapted to include the use of drone technology,” Ciresi said. “My legislation would update state laws to prohibit trespass by drone, bringing Pennsylvania in line with other states such as Utah and Virginia , which already expressly prohibit it.” Ciresi was alerted to the issue by a constituent whose property had been repeatedly trespassed by a drone and found that the local police had difficulty filing charges because of limitations in existing state law. House Bill 1926 would prohibit the use of a drone if a person uses it to enter or remain over the property of another person with the intention of coercing, intimidating or causing annoyance, damaging property, or defying an order to leave or not enter the property as presented to the offender by the owner of the property, another authorized person or a law enforcement officer. “This bill would update state law to account for proliferation of the use of drones and hold bad actors accountable when they misuse this technology,” Ciresi said. Read more

 

Ciresi, Friel town hall with Pottstown NAACP highlights negative impact of federal budget cuts, delayed state budget on Pennsylvania

(Oct 16, 2025) Southeast Delegation

POTTSTOWN, Oct. 16 – State Reps. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, and Paul Friel, D-Chester, last night held a town hall with the NAACP’s Pottstown chapter. “Democracy was in action last night at the Pottstown town hall,” Ciresi said. “I was invigorated to see such passionate community engagement and thoughtful and respectful debate about how the federal and state budgets are having an impact on people’s lives.” Many of the audience questions concerned the impact that cuts and changes to SNAP and Medicaid would have on them and their communities. “Medicaid and SNAP have provided life-saving health care and put food on the tables of low-income Pennsylvanians for decades,” Ciresi said. “As a result of the federal budget cuts and changes to these programs, 5,914 people will lose Medicaid and 1,024 will lose SNAP in Chester County. Here in Montgomery County, 12,009 individuals will lose Medicaid and 2,336 will lose SNAP. In Pottstown alone, 1,662 people will lose Medicaid and 746 will lose SNAP. “These changes and cuts could not come at a worse time for our communities struggling with overburdened healthcare systems and rising food insecurity. Medicaid and SNAP have helped to stabilize our communities and support our economic growth. With more people in our communities living on the edge due to these cuts and changes, life will become unstable for us all. No one will be untouched by this devastation Read more

 

Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee advances key public safety and animal welfare bills

(Oct 15, 2025) Southeast Delegation

HARRISBURG, Oct. 15 – The Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee, chaired by state Rep. Tim Briggs, D–Montgomery, today approved a series of bipartisan bills addressing animal welfare, criminal justice reform, law enforcement standards, and community safety. The committee also approved Briggs’ House Bill 1822, which protects the personal data of public servants and was announced in a separate release. Read more about that legislation here . “These bills represent thoughtful, sensible steps forward in protecting our most vulnerable — whether that’s pets, children, or public servants,” said Briggs. “Our committee continues to show that, when it comes to protecting Pennsylvanians and upholding justice, we can come together to do what’s right.” House Bill 608 (Sponsored by Rep. Mary Louise Isaacson): Would increase penalties for illegal ear cropping performed by non-licensed individuals, elevating the offense to a third-degree misdemeanor, and a second-degree misdemeanor for repeat offenses. House Bill 879 (Sponsored by Isaacson): Would allow the attorney general to prosecute felony animal cruelty cases when county district attorneys lack the experience or capacity to do so, ensuring consistent enforcement statewide. House Bill 1716 (Sponsored by Rep. Liz Hanbidge): Would prohibit the declawing of cats except for medically necessary, therapeutic purposes performed by Read more

 

Briggs bill to protect public officials clears committee

(Oct 15, 2025) Southeast Delegation

HARRISBURG, Oct. 15 – Legislation sponsored by state Rep. Tim Briggs, D-Montgomery, that would protect public officials and their families from targeted harassment and violence has advanced out of the House Judiciary Committee. House Bill 1822 would prohibit the online publication of personal identifying information—such as home addresses, personal phone numbers, and license plate numbers—of public servants when done with the intent to intimidate, harass, or incite violence. “This is a critical step toward protecting the people who serve our communities,” said Briggs, who chairs the House Judiciary Committee. “The rising tide of threats and violence against public officials can no longer be ignored. We must act now to ensure their safety—and that of their families.” Briggs introduced the legislation following the tragic murders of Minnesota Speaker Emeritus Melissa Hortman and her husband, as well as the shooting of Minnesota State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife—incidents that have underscored the growing risks facing public officials across the country. H.B. 1822 responds to alarming national trends. A recent report from the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism revealed a 327% increase in violent threats against judges on social media over the past year. Between March and mid-April 2025 alone, the U.S. Marshals Service reported 162 direct threats to federal judges. As of May, nearly Read more

 

House Communications & Technology Committee approves bills to increase consumer protections and strengthen state government’s digital defenses

(Oct 07, 2025) Southeast Delegation

HARRISBURG, Oct. 7– Legislation to increase consumer protections and strengthen the state government’s information technology defenses was approved by the PA House Communications and Technology Committee today and sent to the full House for further consideration, state Rep. Joe Ciresi, majority chair of the committee, announced. The bills would protect Pennsylvanians by prohibiting the use of “grinch bot” or “scalper bot” software that automatically purchases event tickets and resells them at a higher price, and by requiring all state IT contracts to meet the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s cybersecurity standards. “These bills will help inform, empower and protect Pennsylvanians from digital technologies used to rip off consumers and compromise residents’ personal data,” said Ciresi, D-Montgomery. Additionally, the committee approved a House resolution recognizing the historic role newspapers have played in Pennsylvania. The following measures were approved: House Resolution 322 (State Rep. Ben Waxman) would recognize the vital role of the newspaper industry as a pillar of democracy and designate Oct. 5–11, 2025, as National Newspaper Week in Pennsylvania. “I’m glad we are passing this resolution during National Newspaper Week, recognizing the historic role that newspapers have played in the flourishing of democracy in Pennsylvania from colonial times to the Read more

 

Ciresi, Friel to hold town hall with Pottstown NAACP on impact of federal budget cuts, delayed state budget Oct. 15

(Oct 06, 2025) Southeast Delegation

ROYERSFORD, Oct. 6 – State Reps. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, and Paul Friel, D-Chester, will hold a town hall with the NAACP’s Pottstown chapter at 7 p.m. Oct. 15 at the TriCounty Active Adult Center, 288 Moser Road, Pottstown. The representatives’ discussion will focus on the impact of the impact of federal budget cuts and the delayed passage of the state budget on Pennsylvania. Audience participation is strongly encouraged. Read more

 

House passes Friel bill to manage food processing residuals in Pennsylvania

(Oct 06, 2025) Rep. Paul Friel

HARRISBURG, Oct. 6 – The Pennsylvania House of Representatives today passed H.B. 587 to establish a certification program for the haulers and brokers of food processing residue in the commonwealth, announced the bill’s sponsor, state Rep. Paul Friel, D-Chester. Food processing residuals, also known as FPR, are the leftover product created by commercial food processing. Food processing residuals can include vegetable peelings, raw meat scraps, and liquid-like cleaning fluid that includes blood, fat, hair and feathers, and a variety of other vegetable and animal byproducts and chemicals used to process them. Along with H.B. 586, which would further guide the use of FPR, Friel’s legislation would help manage FPR responsibly in Pennsylvania. Surrounding states have heavily restricted or banned the use of these residuals, making Pennsylvania a target for cheaply offloading the commercial product. “These two bills offer a lasting legislative solution built through bipartisan cooperation and valuable input from the departments of Agriculture and Environmental Protection, as well as local residents, farmers, conservation experts, and industry leaders,” Friel said. “It’s essential that FPR be managed responsibly to protect our food supply, enhance soil health, safeguard groundwater, and reduce odors and other impacts on our communities.” The hauler broker certifications provided for in H.B. 587 would be in effect for Read more

 

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

(Oct 03, 2025) Southeast Delegation

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

(Oct 02, 2025) 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

 

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

(Oct 01, 2025) Southeast Delegation

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

 

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) Southeast Delegation

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

 

Ciresi serves up legislation for fresher school lunches

(Sep 30, 2025) Southeast Delegation

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

 

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

(Sep 25, 2025) Southeast Delegation

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

 

Montgomery County federal, state and local officials protest SNAP cuts, changes

(Sep 24, 2025) Southeast Delegation

POTTSTOWN, Sept. 23 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi and Sen. Art Haywood, both D-Montgomery, spoke today about the impact of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program changes and cuts in Montgomery County. “SNAP has for decades enabled low-income Pennsylvanians to put food on their families’ tables and supported our communities’ social health and economic stability,” Ciresi said. “At a time when food insecurity is growing in Montgomery County, the federal budget cuts and changes to SNAP will have an impact on our communities like that of an asteroid hitting earth. There’ll be a ground zero and then ripples outward from the impact. None of us will be unaffected.” Ciresi said food insecurity in Montgomery County is growing at the time the SNAP cuts are being enacted. According to Feeding America , 9.9% of Montgomery County’s population, or 85,500 people, were food insecure in 2023, and 40% of the population was below the SNAP threshold. According to a 2024 Montgomery County report, SNAP enrollment in Montgomery County had tripled, from 17,194 in 2004 to 62,700 in 2023. “At ground zero, it’s the 144,000 Pennsylvanians—430 in my district—who will lose 100% of their SNAP benefits. These food insecure people will now have to decide whether to eat or to spend their money on necessities—such as rent and utilities or transportation or even laundry detergent for clean clothes. “Next, Read more

 

Judiciary Committee advances wide-ranging legislation

(Sep 22, 2025) Rep. Tim Briggs

“The Judiciary Committee continues to tackle some of the most pressing challenges facing our communities,” Briggs said. “These bills represent meaningful progress toward fairness, safety, and accountability, while also recognizing the sacrifices made by our veterans and ensuring Pennsylvania’s justice system operates with transparency and integrity.” Read more

 

House Judiciary Committee advances gun violence prevention bills

(Sep 22, 2025) Rep. Tim Briggs

“As legislators, we have a responsibility to act when lives are at stake,” Briggs said. “These bills strike the right balance: keeping communities safe while honoring the constitutional rights of law-abiding citizens. This is not about taking away rights; it is about protecting lives. I urge the full House to act swiftly and send these bills to the Senate.” Read more

 

Roundtable, tour examines Norristown State Hospital

(Sep 17, 2025) Southeast Delegation

“The staff at Norristown State Hospital is continuing the challenging work of helping patients receive the treatment they need,” said state Rep. Greg Scott, who represents portions of Montgomery County and hosted the event. “The tour helped lawmakers understand the progress we still need to make in behavioral health.” Read more

 

House Judiciary Committee advances Reproductive Rights Amendment
Oct 22, 2025

Pa. House Judiciary Committee advances key measures to protect health privacy, reproductive rights and public safety
Oct 22, 2025

Ciresi introduces bill to prohibit trespassing using drones
Oct 17, 2025

Ciresi, Friel town hall with Pottstown NAACP highlights negative impact of federal budget cuts, delayed state budget on Pennsylvania
Oct 16, 2025

Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee advances key public safety and animal welfare bills
Oct 15, 2025

Briggs bill to protect public officials clears committee
Oct 15, 2025

House Communications & Technology Committee approves bills to increase consumer protections and strengthen state government’s digital defenses
Oct 07, 2025

Ciresi, Friel to hold town hall with Pottstown NAACP on impact of federal budget cuts, delayed state budget Oct. 15
Oct 06, 2025

House passes Friel bill to manage food processing residuals in Pennsylvania
Oct 06, 2025

Ciresi introduces legislation to extend deadlines to appeal Turnpike ‘V-Tolls’
Oct 03, 2025

Pa. House Tourism Committee discusses bill to fight human trafficking
Oct 02, 2025

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

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

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

Montgomery County federal, state and local officials protest SNAP cuts, changes
Sep 24, 2025

Judiciary Committee advances wide-ranging legislation
Sep 22, 2025

House Judiciary Committee advances gun violence prevention bills
Sep 22, 2025

Roundtable, tour examines Norristown State Hospital
Sep 17, 2025