HARRISBURG, May 6 – The Pennsylvania House of Representatives today took a major step to protect child safety from the emerging threat of artificial intelligence by unanimously passing legislation to modernize the Pennsylvania Child Protective Services Law, according to the bill’s sponsor, state Rep. Nikki Rivera, D-Lancaster. House Bill 2474 would require all mandated reporters, not just school personnel, to quickly report sexually explicit deepfake images of minors to law enforcement. The bill would ensure that authorities can immediately act to protect children and prevent further harm. According to Rivera, two incidents in Lancaster and Bucks counties -- both involving students using artificial intelligence to spread sexually explicit materials of their classmates -- prompted her and co-sponsor state Rep. Kristin Marcell, R-Bucks, to introduce the bill. In 2023 in Lancaster County, two private school students used AI to create sexually explicit deepfake images of 48 schoolmates and 12 other students. In 2025 in Bucks County, two public middle school students created sexually explicit deepfake images depicting 12 fellow female students, which were then shared among other students in the district. In both cases, the dissemination of the pornographic AI deepfake images went unreported to law enforcement, resulting in more child sexual abuse material being shared and more victims being targeted. “This bill would eliminate delays in Read more

LANCASTER, May 6 – State Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El will host a free community shred/e-cycle event/child car seat safety event from 9 a.m. to noon this Saturday, May 9 at Lancaster Township Fire Department, 275 Millersville Pike, Lancaster. “This Saturday’s community event is a great one-stop shop where you can ensure your private documents are shredded in an environmentally safe way that also protects you from identity theft and gives you peace of mind knowing your child’s car seat is correctly installed,” Smith-Wade-El said. “And it’s a great place to get rid of unwanted household items that are no longer of use to you, but could greatly benefit someone else, like new and gently used stuffed animals which will be shared with hospitalized kids in need of comfort. District residents are invited to bring up to three bankers boxes of papers for free shredding. Staples and paperclips do not need to be removed. Electronics, small appliances, and gently used clothing, housewares, and stuffed animals can also be dropped off with event partners. The organizers cannot accept large appliances, hazardous household waste, or devices containing mercury or freon. “As nearly half of child car seats are incorrectly installed, I am excited to offer free, expert-led safety reviews to ensure residents’ child car seats are correctly positioned and secured to protect their children in case of an accident,” Smith-Wade-El Read more

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Environmental Protection: Growing Greener Plus Act 167 Plans Who May Apply: Counties Use: To prepare and adopt a watershed stormwater management plan. Funds: Grant awards will be at least $30,000 and not more than $50,000. Application Deadline: June 22, 2026 More information: DEP Website Department of Environmental Protection: Surface Mining Conservation and Reclamation Act Grants Who May Apply: Municipalities, municipal authorities, and appropriate incorporated nonprofit organizations Use: The design, construction and/or rehabilitation of treatment facilities on ABS Legacy AMD discharge sites, but grants may also be awarded for ABS bond forfeited land reclamation projects. Application Deadline: June 22, 2026 More information: DEP Website PROGRAMS OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Department of Community and Economic Development: PA SITES Who May Apply: Municipalities, economic development organizations, redevelopment authorities, municipal authorities, industrial development agencies, and for-profit organizations. Use: To develop competitive sites for businesses to relocate or expand within Pennsylvania. Funds: $400 million in funding is available. Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and approved on a quarterly basis More information: DCED Website Read more

HARRISBURG, April 29 – The Pennsylvania House today passed legislation introduced by state Rep. Scott Conklin that would better protect public school athletes by allowing the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association to create separate playoffs and championships for boundary and non-boundary schools. Conklin, D-Centre, said he introduced H.B. 41 because the existing competition structure administered by PIAA is unfair and jeopardizes athletes’ health and safety. “Student athletes and their parents recognize that contact sports pose certain physical risks, which schools try to minimize through protective equipment, training, and policies like concussion protocols,” Conklin said. “Unfortunately, our schools can’t protect against a playoff system that needlessly escalates those risks through unfair competitions. “PIAA’s existing playoff system forces athletes from public schools, which are limited to recruiting from within district boundaries, to compete against athletes from private schools, which can recruit from anywhere and amass larger, stronger teams. The result is unfair, lopsided competitions that leave public school students on a dangerously unlevel playing field, subjecting them to added physical risks and even depriving them of scholarship and recruitment opportunities. School sports are supposed to be about building confidence and teaching kids lessons in fair Read more