Happy Independence Day and June Legislative Updates

Rep. Melissa Cerrato July 3, 2026

Dear Friends,

Happy early Fourth of July!

Tomorrow, we celebrate the promise of our nation, the freedom we cherish, and the communities that bring us together. Whether you are spending the day at a parade, a backyard barbecue, watching fireworks, or simply enjoying time with family and friends, I hope your holiday is filled with joy, gratitude, and connection.

As we celebrate our independence, may we also remember the work we share in building a country and a Commonwealth where freedom, opportunity, and dignity are real for every person.

Wishing you and your loved ones a safe, happy, and meaningful Fourth of July!

As we continue through budget season in Harrisburg, my colleagues and I remain focused on delivering a fair and balanced state budget that reflects the needs of families, seniors, workers, students, small businesses, and communities across Pennsylvania.

At the same time, the House has kept up strong momentum on legislation that improves lives across the Commonwealth. Throughout June, we advanced bills that support children and families, strengthen public health, protect consumers, improve election integrity, address housing needs, respond to new technology and safeguard our environment.

These bills have passed the House. Now it is the Senate’s turn to keep them moving toward the Governor’s desk.

Here is a look at what we have passed so far this month, organized by the issues they impact.

Children, Families and Public Health

Supporting children and families must remain one of our top priorities. This month, the House passed several measures aimed at improving childcare, protecting vulnerable young people, and strengthening public health programs.

H.R. 363 directs a study of Pennsylvania’s childcare industry and calls for recommendations to improve access, affordability, and sustainability. Childcare is essential infrastructure for working families and our economy, and this study will help identify where Pennsylvania can do better.

H.B. 2621 establishes the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System, or PRAMS, public health program within the Department of Health. This program helps gather important information about maternal and infant health so we can better understand challenges facing new parents and newborns and respond with stronger public health strategies.

H.B. 916 updates blood lead testing requirements for children. No child should suffer lifelong harm from lead exposure, and this legislation helps strengthen early detection so families can get the support and intervention they need.

H.B. 2243 ensures that minors cannot be charged with nonviolent offenses connected to their own sexual exploitation. Survivors of exploitation deserve protection and support, not criminalization.

H.B. 2443 provides funding for Child Advocacy Centers through additional fees on individuals convicted of crimes against child victims. These centers play a critical role in helping children who have experienced abuse receive care, support and justice in a child centered environment.

Consumer Protection and Public Safety

Pennsylvanians deserve clear rules, strong protections, and policies that help keep people safe in their daily lives. The House passed several bills this month focused on protecting consumers, students and the public.

H.B. 69 establishes a Prescription Drug Repository, which would help make certain unused prescription medications available to individuals who need them. This is a practical way to reduce waste and improve access to medication.

H.B. 1814 prohibits cellphone usage in schools, with exceptions for emergencies. This legislation is aimed at reducing distractions in the classroom while still ensuring students can be reached in urgent situations.

H.B. 2551 prohibits Commonwealth agencies from using text messages to notify people about unpaid tolls or fines. With scams becoming more sophisticated, this bill helps protect Pennsylvanians from fraudulent messages that attempt to steal personal or financial information.

H.B. 2388 implements penny-rounding rules for cash payments. This legislation provides a practical approach to cash transactions as the use and availability of pennies continues to be a concern.

Artificial Intelligence, Media and Technology

Technology is moving quickly, and our laws need to keep up. The House passed bills to improve transparency and strengthen public awareness around artificial intelligence.

H.B. 95 requires disclosure of advertising content created or significantly altered by artificial intelligence. Consumers deserve to know when the content they are seeing has been generated or manipulated by AI.

H.B. 2314 directs the state Attorney General to conduct a public education campaign on artificial intelligence to strengthen consumer awareness. As AI becomes more common in everyday life, Pennsylvanians need reliable information about how to recognize risks, protect themselves and understand how this technology is being used.

Election Integrity and Ethics

Protecting our democracy means making elections secure, transparent and accessible. The House advanced measures to help counties administer elections more efficiently and protect Pennsylvania elections from outside influence.

H.B. 37 allows counties to begin preparing mail in ballots up to seven days before Election Day. This would help election workers process ballots more efficiently and reduce delays in reporting results, while maintaining the security and integrity of the process.

H.B. 497 prohibits foreign owned corporations from spending or contributing money to influence Pennsylvania elections. Our elections should be decided by voters, not foreign corporate interests.

Housing and Community Life

Housing affordability and community living arrangements continue to impact families, older adults and individuals across the Commonwealth. The House passed legislation to better protect homeowners and modernize outdated rules.

H.B. 2120, the Protecting the Homeowners Equity Act, helps protect homeowners from losing hard-earned equity in their homes. Homeownership is one of the most important ways families build financial stability, and our laws should protect that investment.

H.B. 2109, known as the Golden Girls bill, updates roommate limits for unrelated individuals. This bill recognizes that many people, including seniors, students, workers and individuals trying to afford housing, may choose to live together for financial, social or caregiving reasons. Our laws should reflect the realities of modern living.

Environmental and Public Health Protections

Protecting public health also means reducing exposure to harmful chemicals in products people use every day.

H.B. 2145 prohibits the use of forever chemicals in specific consumer products, including items such as dental floss and menstrual products. Forever chemicals can remain in the environment and the human body for long periods of time, and this legislation is a step toward reducing unnecessary exposure.

These bills reflect the work we are doing in the House to address real issues facing Pennsylvanians. From childcare and public health to consumer protection, housing, technology, elections and environmental safety, each of these measures is about making government work better for the people we serve.

I am proud of the progress we have made, but our work is not finished. The Senate should act on these bills and keep them moving toward the Governor’s desk.

As always, my office is here to help. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have questions about legislation, need assistance with a state-related issue or want to share your thoughts on the priorities that matter most to you and your family.??

Upcoming Events

Mark your calendars, HD 151! ??

We have a busy fall ahead with several great community events coming up, and I would love to see you there. From veterans resources and paper shredding to e waste recycling, family resources, college prep, and our holiday open house, there is something for everyone.

Save the dates, share with your neighbors, and come out to take advantage of these helpful community resources.

Hope to see you this fall! ??