HARRISBURG, April 22 – State Reps. Arvind Venkat and Jamie Flick’s bipartisan bill that would create and disseminate materials integral to recognizing the signs of an opioid overdose and inform Pennsylvanians how to save the lives of their fellow citizens passed the Pennsylvania House 195-8 today. House Bill 269 would require PA’s Department of Health to develop a poster explaining: the signs of an opioid-related overdose. what to do in the event of an opioid-related overdose. where to find an opioid antagonist such as Naloxone. where to find additional resources and information. The poster would be made available online to download for private use and displayed in public places to increase awareness of how to recognize and respond to opioid-related overdoses. “The adage that ‘a little knowledge goes a long way’ may not be put into practice more profoundly than when it comes to saving someone’s life,” Venkat, D-Allegheny, said. “Our legislation does exactly that and seeks to limit the future harm of a deadly and still ongoing opioid epidemic. “Rep. Flick has been a great partner on this legislation, and I want to thank him and my House colleagues for their support. I also want to thank the Stop the Judgment Project , led by neighbors of mine in Franklin Park. I remain committed to doing everything in my power to honor the memory of those who have lost their lives in the opioid epidemic Read more
NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Environmental Protection: Watershed Planning and Restoration Grant Who May Apply: Incorporated watershed associations, counties or municipalities, county conservation districts, council of governments or other authorized organizations including nonprofit organizations, educational institutions and municipal authorities. Use: Examples of eligible projects include existing WIP revision or updates and design and construction of BMPs, including riparian forest buffers, streambank fencing, agricultural erosion and sediment control and nutrient and manure management practices; animal waste storage systems, animal concentration area/animal heavy use area protection and barnyard runoff controls; design and construction of stormwater control measures; AMD treatment systems and other projects that will reduce nonpoint source pollution in watersheds where streams are impaired. Funds: Funds are provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and authorized through Section 319(h) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Application Deadline: June 20, 2025 More information: DEP Website Department of Environmental Protection: Growing Greener Plus Grant Who May Apply: Counties Use: To update a county’s Act 167 plan. Funds: Funding was included in the Fiscal Year 2024-25 state budget and grants will range from $40,000 to $60,000 depending on the county’s Read more
“Technology is constantly changing the way we do our jobs, and workforce training needs to keep pace with those developments,” Matzie said. “The new funding will support state-of-the-art apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs that train Beaver County job seekers how to work with the latest technology – both in data analysis and farming practices – so they can earn while they learn and develop the skills needed to step into good-paying jobs.” Read more
HARRISBURG, April 16 – State Rep. Aerion A. Abney, D-Allegheny, introduced bills today that would keep Pennsylvania cyber charter schools uniform from a staffing qualification standpoint and get Commonwealth fathers more involved in the birth of their children. House Bill 1209 would mandate that 100% of cyber charter school instructors are certified to teach by the state. Currently, only 75% of educators are required to be certified. “H.B. 1209 is a simple requirement that has the success of cyber charter school students squarely in its focus,” Abney said. “Having certified teachers across the board means every single pupil receives the same quality level of instruction they deserve.” House Bill 1212 , the PA Dads Matter Act, would direct the Pennsylvania Department of Health to conduct a public awareness campaign about the importance of including fathers to improve outcomes during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum. The legislation, co-authored by Rep. Morgan Cephas, would also encourage health care providers to engage fathers during prenatal care and the birthing process. “Bringing a baby into the world is a team effort between a mother and father, so it makes perfect sense to get dads up to speed on the care and needs of their child and partner alike,” Abney said. “I want to thank Rep. Cephas for partnering with me on H.B. 1212 and look forward to helping families across the Commonwealth.” A Read more
“We included this event during the Black Maternal Health Week Summit because we have introduced Momnibus 2.0, which includes a variety of bills and legislation connected to the work of Beverly’s PGH,” said state Rep. La’Tasha D. Mayes, who co-chairs the Black Maternal Health Caucus and co-hosted the event. Read more
“We are driven in the Black Maternal Health Caucus by one statistic: 93% of maternal deaths are preventable,” said Rep. La’Tasha D. Mayes, who represents portions of Allegheny County and co-chairs the Black Maternal Health Caucus. “The question is why we are not preventing them.” Read more
“The ability to support and retain trained and skilled workers in the highest growing industries is only possible because of the strength of life sciences,” said McAndrew, who represents portions of Allegheny County. “From cutting-edge medical innovations in devices to our innovative hospital systems, our region is doing the type of work that will power Pennsylvania’s economy for years to come.” Read more
HARRISBURG, April 14 – State Rep. Lindsay Powell’s bill that would ban the unauthorized tracking of victims using AirTags and similar programs passed the Pennsylvania House of Representatives 201-2. House Bill 407 would forbid the misuse of this technology for purposes like stalking. There have been cases where individuals placed AirTags on vehicles to pinpoint the location of victims, but Pennsylvania still hasn’t outlined penalties for abusing this technology. “My bill not only gives neighbors their peace of mind and privacy back, but it would protect them from those seeking to do them harm. It's crucial that the legislature stays proactive when it comes to preventing bad actors from misusing this technology,” Powell said. “Thank you to my House colleagues for voting to keep Pennsylvanians safe.” Multiple plaintiffs filed a class-action lawsuit against Apple in December 2022 for remote stalking and despite the company’s attempt to dismiss the case, it is moving forward. AirTags, launched more than three years ago, are intended to help individuals find items that are often misplaced, such as keys, wallets or bookbags. House Bill 407, previously H.B. 416, passed with a near unanimous vote in last year’s session as well. The bill now moves to the state Senate for consideration. Read more
PITTSBURGH, April 10 – State Rep. Dan Frankel joined state Sen. Jay Costa today to announce the reintroduction of a package of bills meant to strengthen law enforcement’s response to hate crimes, improve tracking, advocate for victims and prevent future hate-based crimes. This legislation is a direct response to the 2018 mass shooting at Pittsburgh's Tree of Life building, during which a white supremacist murdered eleven worshippers in three Jewish congregations. To this day, this was the single deadliest act of antisemitic violence in American history. However, since then, the instance of hate crimes has only risen against racial minorities, religious groups, and members of the LGBTQ+ community. As noted in the Senate co-sponsorship memorandum , “According to the Pennsylvania State Policy Uniform Crime Reporting System, between 2020 and 2021, hate crime incidents in Pennsylvania more than doubled statewide. Between 2021 and 2023, the Department of Justice reports hate crimes almost doubled again in Pennsylvania. Worse, hate crimes are often misreported because of a lack of training or tracking.” Already, Frankel and Costa have championed the creation and growth of the Nonprofit Security Grant Program. Signed into law in 2019, Act 83 directs PCCD to administer grants to nonprofit organizations who principally serve individuals, groups or institutions that are included within a bias motivation category for single bias hate crime Read more
A state House bill that originally sought to relieve some Pennsylvanians’ medical debt now has a different goal: making it easier for those in need to access health care financial-aid programs. Read more
“These are former teachers who taught our kids, PennDOT workers who answered the call to keep roadways safe, human services workers who helped those in need – they’ve served our communities, and they’ve waited too long for a COLA increase,” state Rep. Dan Deasy said. “They are a small group of individuals who were not included in the new COLA formula, but they are largely in their 80s and 90s. Many can barely afford to pay for food or needed prescriptions and, after all they have done for the commonwealth, it is unconscionable that we would not do right by them and provide this increase so they can pay for necessities like groceries.” Read more
HARRISBURG, April 9 – State Reps. Arvind Venkat, Nate Davidson, Tarik Khan, Bridget M. Kosierowski, Andrew Kuzma, Jim Rigby and Tim Twardzik’s bill that would aid Commonwealth residents with avoiding medical debt was voted out of the Pennsylvania House Health Committee unanimously today. House Bill 79, originally introduced as a measure to create the PA Medical Debt Relief Program, was amended to focus on consistent transparency for hospital-based financial assistance policies and programs. “Countless individuals receive outstanding care through Pennsylvania hospitals every day, but too often, patients do not know if they might be eligible for existing hospital-based financial assistance programs -- resulting in medical debt. With this legislation, we can ensure all Pennsylvanians who might be eligible can understand how to access hospital-based financial assistance,” Venkat, D-Allegheny, said. “I want to thank my co-prime sponsors for their continued support and look forward to moving this bill through the legislature to increase health care affordability in the Commonwealth.” In H.B. 79’s updated form, the PA Department of Health would develop standardized financial assistance forms. These forms, based on input from hospitals and the general public, would reflect an individual hospital’s financial assistance programs. Additionally, they would be shared with patients upon admittance and discharge at all Read more
Lawmakers in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives voted Tuesday to pass legislation that would make stalking using an Apple AirTag or other electronic tracking devices a misdemeanor offense under the state’s stalking statute as policymakers look to stem the growing misuse of such items. Read more
Proposal to recognize 911 telecommunicators as first responders clears House Read more
PITTSBURGH, April 8 – Improvements are coming to the South Craig Street business corridor thanks to new funding of $213,326 from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, state Rep. Dan Frankel announced today. Frankel said the grant will fund projects to improve aesthetics, community connections and business relationships in the corridor. “South Craig Street is home to so much creative energy – in the arts and sciences, in industry and innovation, and in multicultural restaurants and events that bring us together in the best possible ways,” Frankel said. “The new funding will allow us to continue revitalizing this unique corridor to attract new visitors, boost foot traffic for area businesses and expand welcoming public spaces for commuters, students and entrepreneurs to connect and thrive.” The funding to Pittsburgh Innovation District is part of a package of $17 million awarded for 81 projects statewide under the Main Street Matters program. More information about the funding is available here: https://www.pa.gov/governor/newsroom/2025-press-releases/governor-josh-shapiro-announces-81-new-main-street-matters-inves.html . The Main Street Matters program is designed to support Pennsylvania’s downtown cores and surrounding neighborhoods with tools to create healthy, vibrant and welcoming communities. Funding is available to support revitalization efforts in Read more
“Following the loss of a loved one, many families face emotional and logistical challenges with arranging food and drink at a memorial, oftentimes on short notice,” said Deasy, who serves as the majority chair of the House Liquor Control Committee. “Current law requires businesses to give seven days’ notice to the Liquor Control Board for off-premises catering permits, a timeline that simply doesn’t work for many of these memorial events.” Read more
HARRISBURG, April 7 – State Rep. Dan Goughnour, D-Allegheny, took the oath of office at the state Capitol today to become the new state representative of Pennsylvania’s 35th Legislative District. “I’m honored and privileged to advocate for the rights and needs of western Pennsylvanians and those across the Commonwealth. I would also be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge the great achievements and example set by my predecessor, Matt Gergely,” Goughnour said. “I want to honor his legacy and do my part to institute positive change. I look forward to working with my new colleagues in the House to make this goal possible.” Goughnour’s legislative priorities include strengthening public safety measures and increasing funding for them, boosting job training programs to provide more opportunities for residents, continuing to support public schools, and working to reduce the cost of everyday essentials for families. He previously served for more than 16 years as a law enforcement officer with the McKeesport Police Department and, most recently, as captain of police detectives. His public service career also includes being on the McKeesport Area School District board, and he is a current member of Teamsters Local 205. Goughnour won March’s Legislative District 35 special election, necessitated by the passing of the late Rep. Matthew R. Gergely at the beginning of the year. Read more
Pittsburgh-area state Rep. Lindsay Powell is rallying in Harrisburg today, urging lawmakers to enshrine into Pennsylvania law a federal act that protects abortion clinics from threats and damages. Powell’s bill comes on the heels of a Trump administration memo directing the Department of Justice to dismiss several cases against those accused of obstructing care at reproductive health clinics. Read more
We, the undersigned lawyer-legislators of the Pennsylvania state House of Representatives, are appalled though tragically not surprised by President Trump's latest attack on the rule of law. As outlined in the Presidential Memorandum of March 22, 2025, SUBJECT: Preventing Abuses of the Legal System and the Federal Court, the President instructed the Attorney General and Secretary of Homeland Security to weaponize the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, the Rules of Professional Conduct, and any other regulations governing attorney conduct and discipline to silence the zealous advocacy of lawyers and law firms across the nation. We will not allow the Trump Administration’s attempt with this memorandum to chill legal representation that inconveniences its efforts to undermine the Constitution, gut essential programs, attack vulnerable groups and individuals, and otherwise subvert the rule of law to go unchallenged. Read more
“As I am currently working on bills to eliminate fines and limit the use of solitary confinement for youth in Pennsylvania’s juvenile justice system; I am eager to participate in this prestigious fellowship,” said Kinkead, D-Allegheny. “Connecting with legislators and leading experts from around the country who are working to create a better justice system for juveniles in their own communities is a unique opportunity to gain in-depth knowledge of what strategies have worked in other states and implement them here.” Read more
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