Dear Friends,
As the fall legislative session moves toward its conclusion, the House continues to advance legislation addressing the health, safety and well-being of Pennsylvania families. This week, I want to highlight several bills focused on protecting children, improving access to health care and giving families greater stability that are moving through the legislative process.
Earlier this month, my House Bill 507, the Baby Food Protection Act, passed the House by a bipartisan vote of 200 to 3. The legislation would strengthen baby food safety by requiring testing for toxic heavy metals, establishing enforceable limits and making test results available to parents through clear labeling.
A 2021 congressional oversight report found concerning levels of arsenic, lead, cadmium and mercury in baby food sold across the country. These metals can harm brain development and have lifelong consequences. Despite years of concern, federal action has been slow. My legislation would direct the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture to test representative samples of each batch of baby food manufactured in the commonwealth and require labels to disclose the levels found. Parents deserve reliable information about the food they feed their children, and manufacturers should be accountable for product safety. I am proud to see this legislation advance with such strong bipartisan support.
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The House also passed House Bill 1652, the Child Testing Act, introduced by my colleague Rep. Salisbury. I was a co-sponsor after a constituent contacted me about the importance of including Gaucher disease in Pennsylvania’s newborn screening program, because the condition had affected a loved one. I found it remarkable in Rep Salisbury’s floor speech that children are automatically tested for Gaucher disease in some of our surrounding states and are sent to Pennsylvania for treatment but that children with the condition remain unidentified here.
Gaucher disease is a rare genetic disorder that can affect the liver, spleen, bones and other organs. Early detection can help families and health care providers pursue follow-up care and treatment before symptoms or complications lead to a diagnosis. HB 1652 would restore Gaucher disease screening to Pennsylvania’s newborn screening panel after the requirement was removed in 2020. I was pleased to see the bill pass with bipartisan support. It now moves to the Senate for consideration.
Supporting families also means helping them access the care they need. House Bill 2653, introduced by Rep. Sappey, would expand access to behavioral health care by requiring insurers to accept qualified behavioral health providers into their networks when those providers agree to the insurers’ contract terms and conditions. Providers would receive reimbursement comparable to similarly situated in-network providers, and insurers could not unfairly discriminate. The bill would give Pennsylvanians more choices when seeking mental health and substance use disorder treatment.
Reliable child care is another essential part of family stability. House Bill 2492, introduced by Rep. Davidson, would require child-care centers and family child-care homes planning to close to provide at least 30 days’ written notice to families, employees and the Department of Human Services. Providers would also need to include a plan for preserving required records. The legislation recognizes that parents need time to find alternative care while balancing their work and family responsibilities. It includes exceptions for emergencies and circumstances beyond a provider’s control, including declared disasters and certain health and safety situations.
Finally, House Bill 2006, introduced by Rep. Shusterman, would establish safeguards for people using artificial-intelligence companion applications, with additional protections for minors. These applications can simulate human relationships, making it important that users understand when they are interacting with AI rather than another person. The bill would require disclosures, safeguards against interactions that encourage self harm or violence, protections against sexually explicit content for minors, age assurance and verifiable parental consent. It would also limit the use and retention of information collected for age assurance and parental consent and authorize the Attorney General to enforce these protections.
These bills address different challenges, but they share an important goal: helping Pennsylvania families make informed decisions, access needed services and protect the people who depend on them. I will continue working to advance practical solutions that put families first as the legislative session continues.
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My mobile office will be at the Ambler YMCA, Wednesday, October 21, 2026 from 9:00-10:00. We can assist with any and all state services, process Senior SEPTA passes, provide FREE notary services, and so much more!
Please stop by to learn how my office can best serve you!
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Our 5th Annual Trunk or Treat & Family Resource Fair is happening today from 2–4 p.m. at the Ambler YMCA!
We're bringing the farm to the parking lot! ??????
You'll also find a whole barnyard full of organizations ready to connect families with community resources.
Come in costume, bring the kids and come have some fun!
And if you've been following along… yes, my trunk is going to be VERY farm-themed. ??
See you there!
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I'm opening the doors of my office on Saturday, November 14, from noon–2 p.m., and I'd love for you to stop by.
We'll have refreshments, an opportunity to meet my team and a chance to learn more about the services we provide to constituents.
We'll also be collecting food donations for Bethlehem Baptist Church for their Thanksgiving Drive.
Come say hello! We look forward to seeing you!
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My office and Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania (LASP) will host a ???????? Senior Wills Clinic from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the North Wales Borough Arts and Cultural Center on Wednesday, November 18, 2026.
Services provided include drafting a will, financial power of attorney, and/or healthcare directives for financially eligible seniors aged 60+. ???????????????????????? ?????? ????????????????.
To sign up or ask a question, please contact Noelle Gambale at ngambale@lasp.org or 610-510-8934.
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Pennsylvania State Capitol
121 Irvis Office Building
P.O. Box 202061
Harrisburg, PA 17120
(717) 783-4102
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District Office
1098 West Skippack Pike
Blue Bell, PA 19422
(610) 277-3230
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