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

Legislation boosting, improving Special Education Contingency Fund advances to Senate Read more

BRADDOCK, June 15 – New funding of $950,000 will ensure that area residents have access to critical housing services and supports, state Rep. Abigail Salisbury announced today. Salisbury, D-Allegheny, said the funding from the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency will support projects to help residents find affordable housing, stay in their homes or find safe housing in times of crisis. “A safe, secure place to call home isn’t a luxury – it’s an essential resource that provides stability for families, connects seniors to the communities they love and offers a safe haven for people in transition who are working to rebuild their lives,” Salisbury said. “The new funding will make sure more people in our district have the housing they need to thrive by funding repairs, safety and accessibility improvements, housing for people in crisis or transition and affordable rental housing for low-income families.” Salisbury said the following funding has been reserved: $200,000 to Samantha Dye for the POWER House residential treatment facility in Swissvale that provides safe housing for women in early recovery. $200,000 to the Wilkinsburg Community Development Corp. to bolster the organization’s Homeowner Assistance and Repair Program. $200,000 to Za’kiyah House to create three affordable units for people transitioning from the organization’s residential programs. Read more

HARRISBURG, June 11 – Saying that residents should never have to fear for their safety where they gather to worship, celebrate shared culture, or collaborate on community projects, state Rep. Abigail Salisbury is preparing to introduce legislation that would eliminate a funding match requirement that makes it difficult for smaller, lower-income organizations to secure funding. Salisbury said she drafted the legislation, which would remove the Nonprofit Security Grant Fund’s 33% funding match requirement for groups below a certain revenue threshold, to address a funding challenge that can be an insurmountable obstacle for smaller groups. “Small faith-based and other nonprofit groups are just as vulnerable as larger organizations to targeted threats of violence, but they often don’t have the resources to come up with the matching funds required for a security grant,” said Salisbury, who is co-chair of the bicameral, bipartisan Pennsylvania Charitable Nonprofit Caucus. “My legislation would remove the 33% match requirement for grants ranging from $25,000 to $75,000 if the nonprofit’s annual revenue is less than $250,000. It’s time to ensure that these smaller groups have the protection they need and deserve.” Salisbury cited the 2024 attempted shooting at Jesus’ Dwelling Place Church in North Braddock and the challenges the church has faced in the aftermath of that incident in attempting to raise Read more

Legislation cracking down on nonconsensual sharing of intimate images advances to Senate Read more

Legislation establishing penalties for CEOs of insurance companies responsible for harm Read more

HARRISBURG, June 3 – The Pennsylvania House today unanimously adopted Rep. Rob Matzie’s resolution ( H.R. 361 ) directing the state to study the financial costs and benefits of remaining part of the PJM Interconnection – the regional transmission organization that manages Pennsylvania’s electric grid. Matzie, who is chairman of the House Majority Caucus, said that a study is needed in light of recent spikes in electricity prices in some parts of the state, which have prompted concerns and calls for reform from lawmakers. “With calls for reform from House lawmakers and the governor, it’s time to take a closer look to ensure that staying with PJM is the best option,” Matzie said. “We hear every day from our constituents about the rising costs of energy. All options should be on the table, and all avenues should be explored. This study will give policy makers the facts and figures needed to make informed decisions moving forward.” Matzie said that the study – which will be conducted by the Joint State Government Commission – will examine the financial risks and benefits associated with PJM membership and evaluate the impact of PJM membership on residential, commercial and industrial electricity customers. The PJM Interconnection manages the electric transmission grid in all or part of 13 states and the District of Columbia. Read more

“By drawing on the experience and expertise of our established trappers, we can provide our youth with mentorships that offer hands-on training emphasizing responsible, lawful trapping techniques,” said state Rep. Anita Kulik, D-Allegheny. “Mentoring is key to recruiting and retaining younger participants and to continuing to build our trapping heritage as we look to the future.” Read more

“Today, the House came together to do something simple and compassionate: give people at the end of their life more choices about how they spend their final days,” state Rep. Dan Frankel said. “This bill is about easing suffering and preserving dignity for patients facing unimaginable circumstances.” Read more

Responding to calls from Gov. Josh Shapiro and educators across the state, the state House today passed a bill on a bipartisan vote to restrict cell phone use in Pennsylvania schools. Read more