April 4 e-mail: TOMORROW: Free license plate restoration event!

Rep. Melissa Cerrato April 4, 2025

Dear Friends,

The federal government's recent actions have raised widespread uncertainty about their impact on our communities. Like many of you, I have questions about how these developments will affect our state, especially as we navigate the PA budget process amidst uncertainty.

Although federal decisions are beyond our jurisdiction, my colleagues and I are working to maximize state resources and authority. Our shared goal is clear: to safeguard and support the residents of our communities.

Last week, the PA House took decisive action on health-focused legislation, reaffirming our commitment to address critical issues that impact the well-being of residents.

Here is a brief overview of the bills included in our Protecting Your Care package:

H.B. 404 - PN0376 (Pashinski, Eddie) 123-79

This bill would amend the Insurance Company Law to adopt ACA protections, enabling parents to maintain health insurance coverage for their adult children until they turn 26. It also prohibits health insurers from restricting coverage based on factors such as financial dependency, residency, marital status, educational enrollment, or employment status. Additionally, the bill would allow parents to retain coverage for children with intellectual or physical disabilities until age 26, updating the current state law limit of age 19.

H.B. 535 - PN0528 (Frankel, Dan) 121-81

This bill would establish the "Health Insurance Protection Against Limitations Act," incorporating the ACA's ban on annual or lifetime dollar limits for essential health benefits, such as hospitalization, mental health care, prescription drugs, and pediatric services. It would allow the PA Insurance Department to issue regulations and enforces violations through penalties, including fines of up to $10,000 per violation, license revocation, or refusal to issue or renew a license.

H.B. 618 - PN0618 (Haddock, James) 125-77

This bill would establish the "Health Insurance Access Protection Act," incorporating ACA protections against discrimination based on health factors or pre-existing conditions into state law. It would limit premium variations in individual and small group plans to factors like family size, location, age (capped at a 3:1 ratio), and tobacco use (capped at a 1.5:1 ratio). The Insurance Department could issue regulations to implement the act, with violations subject to penalties such as fines up to $10,000, license suspension, or revocation.

H.B. 755 - PN0779 (Warren, Perry) 133-69

This bill would establish the "Health Insurance Preventive Services Coverage Act," requiring health insurance policies to cover certain preventive services without cost-sharing. The Insurance Department would be required to create and maintain a list of covered services, initially including those mandated as of Jan. 1, 2025, with updates based on specific criteria. Public input and considerations like cost escalation, accessibility, and discrimination potential would be required for changes to the list. The bill would include provisions for enforcement, religious exemptions, and the application of reasonable medical management techniques.

The other pieces of legislation that advanced through the House last week are:

H.B. 118 - PN0100 (Young, Regina) 117-85

This legislation amends the Child Labor Act (Act 151 of 2012) to increase criminal fines for violations. First-time offenders would face a fine of $1,000 per violation, up from $500, while subsequent violations would result in a $3,000 fine, up from $1,500, and/or up to 10 days of imprisonment, which would remain unchanged.

H.B. 410 - PN1053 (O'Mara, Jennifer) 199-3

House Bill 410 would amend Section 1510 of Title 75 to allow individuals with disabilities, service-connected disabilities, or active military service outside Pennsylvania (including their spouses or dependents) to request PennDOT to issue a driver's license or ID card using the most recent photograph and signature on record. However, PennDOT could not issue licenses or ID cards without a photograph or signature if there are material changes to personal records, or for REAL ID compliance when the photograph is over 16 years old.

H.B. 369 - PN0325 (Freeman, Robert) 162-40

This legislation would revise the definition of "land bank jurisdiction" by eliminating the population threshold of 10,000 for municipalities to establish a land bank individually or jointly with other municipalities. It would also clarify that the term "municipality" encompasses optional plan and optional charter municipalities.

H.B. 209 - PN0157 (Borowski, Lisa) 194-7

This legislation would amend The Second-Class Township Code to ensure that ordinances adopted by a township of the second class become effective immediately upon adoption, unless a later date is specified in the ordinance. The legislation itself would take effect immediately upon passage.

As always, I will keep you updated as we await the fate of these bills in the PA Senate chamber.

Upcoming Events

?? Join us for a License Plate Restoration Event! ??

Is your PA license plate faded, peeling, or hard to read? We can help! ???

Why Restore Your License Plate?

Visibility and Safety: Ensure your plate is clear and readable to avoid any safety concerns.
Legal Compliance: Stay compliant with local regulations and avoid fines.
Avoiding Hassles: Prevent unnecessary stops and delays from law enforcement.
Aesthetic Appeal: Keep your vehicle looking polished and well-maintained.
Vehicle Resale Value: Enhance your car's resale value by maintaining a pristine plate.

Don't miss this opportunity to get your license plate restored and keep your vehicle in top shape! ????

Dine and Donate Benefiting Miracle Field of Horsham

?? Attention Veterans and Supporters! ??

Join us for the Veterans ID Sign Up Event! This event is your chance to connect with valuable discounts and savings in Montgomery County.

The Montgomery County Recorder of Deeds encourages all veterans to record their DD214s for safekeeping and provides Montgomery County veterans with a photo ID card and a corresponding program to receive discounts for goods and services from participating merchants. Veterans will be able to present these cards to businesses throughout our region that have agreed to provide a discount to Montgomery County veterans in appreciation for the veterans’ service to our country.

In addition to signing up for your ID, we will be collecting toiletries, socks, and underwear to benefit veterans in our area. Your support makes a difference!

Let's come together and support our veterans!