Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

House Democratic Leadership statement on Rep. Bernstine's behavior

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Rivera bill to lower electricity costs, increase reliability through grid-scale battery storage passes House

(Oct 05, 2026) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, Oct. 5 – Legislation aimed at reducing electricity costs and increasing reliability for Pennsylvania households and small businesses by requiring electric utilities to set targets for and procure grid-stabilizing battery storage passed the House today, the bill’s prime sponsor, state Rep. Nikki Rivera, D-Lancaster, announced. “Pennsylvania’s aging electricity grid is strained by increasingly violent weather and surging energy demand from cloud computing, artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies,” Rivera said. “My legislation offers a practical, proven solution that will help keep our lights on and our electric bills affordable.” House Bill 2380 would require Pennsylvania’s largest electric utilities to install 3,500 megawatts of battery storage by 2035. The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission would assign each utility’s share of 3,500 megawatts based on the service load and annual peak demand of each electric company with more than 600,000 customers. The bill also includes competitive procurement requirements and regulatory oversight to help ensure projects deliver value for ratepayers. Electricity costs are often driven by peak-hour demand, when electric utilities must rely on expensive “peaker” power plants that quickly ramp up to prevent grid failures. Battery storage systems store electricity when demand and prices are low and discharge it when demand is highest. Read more

House passes Salisbury bill to restore newborn screening for Gaucher disease

(Oct 05, 2026) Rep. Abigail Salisbury

HARRISBURG, Oct. 5 – The Pennsylvania House today passed legislation introduced by state Rep. Abigail Salisbury that would require all Pennsylvania newborns to be tested for Gaucher disease, an inherited genetic disorder that can have devastating health consequences. Salisbury, D-Allegheny, said H.B. 1652 would allow parents to know at the earliest possible time whether their newborn has the disease so they can obtain timely treatment to help alleviate symptoms. “Pennsylvania screens newborns for a wide array of diseases to ensure that children who are affected can benefit from timely detection and treatment,” Salisbury said. “Until recently, the list of screened diseases included Gaucher disease, a genetic disorder that can cause devastating health problems, including organ, blood, and bone disorders and even certain cancers. “Six years ago, Gaucher was dropped from the list of screened diseases, which means that hospitals and parents are no longer automatically notified if their newborn has the disease, and children are deprived of a vital, early treatment window that can alleviate some health impacts. My bill would reinstate screening for this devastating disease, so parents get the timely information they need to help their children.” Gaucher disease is a genetic condition in which a person is missing an enzyme that breaks down lipids – fatty compounds in the body that serve various Read more

Ciresi introduces legislation to give residents a voice on high-impact data centers

(Oct 05, 2026) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, Oct. 5 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, last week introduced H.B. 2821 , which would give residents a say in whether high-impact data centers are approved in their communities. “Data centers can have substantial impacts on local infrastructure, electricity demand and water resources,” Ciresi said. “Pennsylvania residents should be able to have a meaningful opportunity to decide whether a large-scale data center development would be appropriate for their community.” The bill would amend the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code to require municipalities to put the approval of a proposed high impact data center before voters in a local referendum. To make sure voters are informed, a detailed description of the development would appear on the ballot before the referendum question. “This measure would increase transparency, strengthen local decision-making, and give communities a direct voice in determining whether high impact data center developments are appropriate for their municipality,” Ciresi said. Read more

Cepeda-Freytiz to host 2-day VSP Eyes of Hope Mobile Clinic event in Reading

(Oct 02, 2026) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

READING, Oct. 2 – State Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz, D-Berks, along with VSP ® Eyes of Hope, will host a two-day mobile vision clinic from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. October 8 and 9 at Centro Hispano Hispanic Center (25 N. 2nd St.) to help Berks County children and adults receive free vision care and provide families with an opportunity to access state resources. The event will feature a VSP ® Eyes of Hope mobile vision clinic, which will provide free vision care for approximately 250 community members who do not have vision insurance and meet certain income guidelines. “Access to vision care is crucial for everyone,” said Cepeda-Freytiz. “It’s especially important for young children to have access before they enter school. Glasses can help our children learn better and put them on the path to success in life, and a price tag should not keep them from achieving that success. This event will help ensure that children and their family members who otherwise may not be able to get glasses have what they need.” Cepeda-Freytiz is the prime sponsor of H.B. 1077 , legislation that would create a statewide commission to develop a plan that will ensure follow-up vision exams and glasses for all students in Pennsylvania. She also has introduced H.B. 1078, which would require comprehensive eye exams in school upon entry into a new school and at various grades that coincide with a child’s developmental Read more

House Energy Committee votes out bills on data center regulations and fair rates for utility customers

(Oct 01, 2026) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, Oct. 1 – Continuing its efforts to mitigate the impact of data centers and rising energy costs, the PA House Energy Committee voted this week to advance several bills that would protect Pennsylvania households and small businesses. Read more

House passes legislation to protect property owners from hidden, compounding municipal fines

(Sep 30, 2026) Rep. Nate Davidson

"No homeowner should ever be blindsided by hidden, runaway penalties simply because the initial paperwork was unclear," Davidson said. "When our neighbor from Camp Hill came to our district office with this issue, it was clear that current law had a costly blind spot. We took that real-world problem and crafted a common-sense legislative fix so that no other Pennsylvanian has to face an identical nightmare." Read more

House passes Inglis, Fiedler bill to streamline new energy connections to grid

(Sep 30, 2026) Rep. John Inglis, Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler

Legislation preventing delays for small-scale energy systems advances to Senate Read more

Pa. House passes bipartisan legislation to regulate artificial intelligence usage in healthcare

(Sep 30, 2026) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, Sept. 30 – The Pennsylvania House today passed bipartisan legislation that would regulate the application of artificial intelligence in healthcare, ensuring that all Pennsylvanians can have confidence that AI is being utilized in a beneficial manner when receiving clinical care or when insurers are reviewing coverage of specific healthcare recommendations, announced the legislation's co-prime sponsors, state Reps. Arvind Venkat, Joe Hogan, Tarik Khan, Bridget Kosierowski and Greg Scott. House Bill 1925 would provide new regulations for how AI is utilized and reported by insurers, hospitals and clinicians. These groups would need to provide transparency to patients and the public as to how AI is being used in their companies or practice settings. "The usage of AI is expanding rapidly into nearly every field, and healthcare is no exception," said Venkat, D-Allegheny . "As the General Assembly's only physician, I have seen this development take place in real time. It is vital that patients are confident that AI is being used responsibly and effectively in their care. I thank my House colleagues who partnered on this legislation and helped it to pass in a bipartisan manner. Protecting trust in our healthcare system is vital to the safety and future of all Pennsylvanians." "Patients deserve to know when artificial intelligence is involved in their healthcare, and they should have full Read more

PA State Capitol boasts new nursing facility

(Sep 30, 2026) Rep. Jennifer M. O'Mara

Nursing mothers visiting the Pennsylvania State Capitol Complex can now breastfeed or pump in a clean, safe, and accessible nursing station, thanks to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, the PA Department of General Services, and the Shapiro Administration. Read more

Morgan Rose’s Law headed for enaction after Pa. Senate approval

(Sep 30, 2026) Rep. Lisa Borowski

Bipartisan legislation that would require coroners to investigate and report cases of Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy, or SUDEP, was unanimously approved (49-0) today by the Pennsylvania Senate, state Rep. Lisa Borowski, D-Delaware, announced. Read more

Ciresi: H.B. 2794 would require clear toll-rate signage on Pa. Turnpike

(Sep 30, 2026) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, Sept. 30 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, introduced legislation last week that would require clear toll-rate signage on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. “Currently, motorists on the Pennsylvania Turnpike have no information about what their tolls will cost while they’re driving,” Ciresi said. “My legislation would ensure that motorists have clear, readily visible information about the toll they will be charged.” Ciresi noted that tolls are determined by vehicle classification, including axle count and, for certain tolls, vehicle height. House Bill 2794 was referred to the state House Transportation Committee. Read more

Ciresi announces committee approval of AI disclosure, video streaming and driverless vehicle legislation

(Sep 30, 2026) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, Sept. 30 – The House Communications & Technology Committee today approved three measures out of committee, including legislation regarding the use of disclosure of AI content, video streaming and driverless vehicles, Majority Chair Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, announced. “The legislation the committee approved today will help protect consumers from misinformation by AI-generated content and from disturbingly loud advertisements on streaming services,” Ciresi said. “We’ve also advanced a resolution to help prepare Pennsylvania for the potential impact of driverless vehicles and personal delivery devices on safety and jobs.” The legislation approved during today’s committee meeting were: House Bill 2534 (Ortitay, Ciresi) – Provides for AI disclosure by requiring providers of generative AI platforms to embed provenance metadata to track content created or modified by AI and offer AI detection tools, and requires large online platforms to detect and disclose AI-generated or modified content based on available provenance data. House Bill 2790 (Fiedler, Shaffer) – Prohibits video streaming services from transmitting commercial advertisements at a volume louder than their accompanying video content. House Resolution 563 (Waxman) – Directs the Joint State Government Commission to study the potential impact of driverless vehicles and personal delivery devices on Read more

Salisbury bill to help smaller community groups get security grants advances from committee

(Sep 30, 2026) Rep. Abigail Salisbury

HARRISBURG, Sept. 30 – The Pennsylvania House Finance Committee today unanimously approved state Rep. Abigail Salisbury’s bill that would make it easier for lower-income houses of worship and other smaller nonprofit groups to obtain security funding. Salisbury’s H.B. 2639 would remove the Nonprofit Security Grant Fund’s 33% match requirement for grants ranging from $25,000 to $75,000 if a nonprofit’s annual revenue is less than $250,000. “For houses of worship and other community groups, nothing is more important than ensuring members are safe on the premises,” Salisbury said. “Unfortunately, many smaller groups struggle to meet the dollar match required to obtain funding under our state security grant program. We saw this happen after the attempted shooting at Jesus’ Dwelling Place in North Braddock. Like many smaller groups whose outreach is limited to the immediate community, the church struggled to raise the required 33% match. It took them a year and a half to raise the match and secure a line of credit for the cost-reimbursable $75,000 grant. “The size of a group’s operating budget should never determine its ability to protect members. My bill would lift the 33% match requirement for grants ranging from $25,000 to $75,000 if a nonprofit’s annual revenue is less than $250,000, to ensure everyone has the protection they deserve.” The bill now Read more

Pielli and Fiedler bill to end excess utility profits advances out of state House Energy Committee

(Sep 30, 2026) Rep. Chris Pielli, Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler

“At a time when utility shareholders are earning record profits and households continue to face rising costs, we need to work to find solutions to restore balance by tipping the scales back in favor of Pennsylvania families,” Pielli said. “This legislation will restore fairness and accountability using commonsense measures to ensure affordable energy is provided for everyone.” Read more

House Democratic Leadership statement on Rep. Bernstine's behavior

(Sep 30, 2026) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

Leadership statement issued Wednesday, Sept. 30 Read more

Pa. House OKs Haddock measure affirming state’s right to regulate AI

(Sep 30, 2026) Rep. Jim Haddock

“This resolution highlights the significant potential of AI in various economic sectors and also recognizes that Pennsylvania is a leader in the development of AI,” said Haddock, D-Luzerne/Lackawanna. “The resolution reaffirms the right and responsibility of Pennsylvania’s government to pass legislation regarding AI to protect its residents from the dangers of misused AI.” Read more

Menopause awareness takes on a new meaning in PA

(Sep 29, 2026) Rep. Melissa Shusterman

Shusterman explained, “Menopause is more than a minor inconvenience; it is a health crisis. From years of lost sleep and debilitating brain fog to frozen joints and brittle bones, these severe symptoms demand action. Every single piece of legislation in the No Time for a Pause package serves a purpose in delivering better care, education and treatment for the women of PA. Read more

Pa. House advances Friel Otten bill to establish public-interest standard for utility decisions

(Sep 29, 2026) Rep. Danielle Friel Otten

HARRISBURG, Sept. 29 – The Pennsylvania House of Representatives today passed legislation introduced by state Rep. Danielle Friel Otten, D-Chester, that would require the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission to explicitly consider the public interest when making decisions that affect utility customers across the commonwealth. Friel Otten’s legislation, H.B. 2184 , would establish a statutory definition of "public interest" and require the PUC to consider factors such as affordability, reliability, resilience, economic impacts, energy efficiency, sustainability, transparency, public safety and equitable treatment of customers in utility proceedings. The bill would also require the commission to explain how its decisions align with the public interest. The bill passed the House with bipartisan support by a vote of 150-53. Today's action reflects growing concern among lawmakers about rising utility costs and the need for greater transparency and accountability in decisions that directly affect utility customers, businesses and communities across Pennsylvania. "The increasing cost of almost everything in life right now is one of the first things people bring up to me, whether it's at the grocery store, the soccer sideline, or the carpool group chat," Friel Otten said. "According to United Way's ALICE report, 40% of Pennsylvania households are already living on the financial edge. For those families, a sudden spike Read more

Abney bill to help child welfare providers manage insurance costs passes House

(Sep 29, 2026) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, Sept. 29 – The Pennsylvania House of Representatives today passed legislation sponsored by state Rep. Aerion Abney that would help child welfare providers manage insurance costs so they can afford to continue their important work. A licensed social worker, Abney said H.B. 2490 will help child welfare providers maintain affordable insurance coverage and serve children, families and communities across Pennsylvania. “Child welfare providers are facing a serious insurance crisis, with premiums rising sharply and some providers struggling to find coverage at all,” Abney said. “We need to make sure the people and organizations caring for our children can focus on that work instead of being pushed out by insurance costs. This legislation creates a fairer approach to liability and helps protect the stability of these essential services.” Under the bill, counties would not be allowed to require a child welfare provider to waive an insurer’s right to recover money from a party responsible for a claim as a condition of receiving a county contract. The legislation addresses a growing problem for providers. Rising insurance premiums and limited coverage options can make it more difficult for organizations to provide child welfare services. Preventing contract requirements that further increase insurers’ risk can help create greater Read more

House passes Alyssa’s Law to get panic alarms installed into schools

(Sep 29, 2026) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, Sept. 29 – To ensure the safety of students and staff in schools across Pennsylvania, the state House has passed legislation introduced by state Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz, D-Berks, that would require schools to consider installing panic alarms to quickly respond to emergencies. House Bill 634 would require schools to consider implementing a panic alarm system within their classrooms during annual safety and security reviews. These silent alarms would connect a specific classroom to law enforcement responders and signal a life-threatening emergency. “Feeling safe in the classroom where they spend most of the year should be the bare minimum expectation that students, teachers and school staff have,” said Cepeda-Freytiz. “This legislation will take practical steps to ensure that in the case of a shooting or another emergency, law enforcement can act faster in these moments where every second used or wasted can mean the difference between life and death.” The legislation, also known as Alyssa’s Law, has been backed by Make Our Schools Safe , which was founded by Lori and Ilan Alhadeff following the death of their 14-year-old daughter Alyssa in the 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting. “As Alyssa’s mother, I know firsthand that in an emergency, every second matters,” said Lori Alhadeff , co-founder and CEO of Make Our Schools Safe. Read more

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Rivera bill to lower electricity costs, increase reliability through grid-scale battery storage passes House Oct 05, 2026

House passes Salisbury bill to restore newborn screening for Gaucher disease Oct 05, 2026

Ciresi introduces legislation to give residents a voice on high-impact data centers Oct 05, 2026

Cepeda-Freytiz to host 2-day VSP Eyes of Hope Mobile Clinic event in Reading Oct 02, 2026

House Energy Committee votes out bills on data center regulations and fair rates for utility customers Oct 01, 2026

House passes legislation to protect property owners from hidden, compounding municipal fines Sep 30, 2026

House passes Inglis, Fiedler bill to streamline new energy connections to grid Sep 30, 2026

Pa. House passes bipartisan legislation to regulate artificial intelligence usage in healthcare Sep 30, 2026

PA State Capitol boasts new nursing facility Sep 30, 2026

Morgan Rose’s Law headed for enaction after Pa. Senate approval Sep 30, 2026

Ciresi: H.B. 2794 would require clear toll-rate signage on Pa. Turnpike Sep 30, 2026

Ciresi announces committee approval of AI disclosure, video streaming and driverless vehicle legislation Sep 30, 2026

Salisbury bill to help smaller community groups get security grants advances from committee Sep 30, 2026

Pielli and Fiedler bill to end excess utility profits advances out of state House Energy Committee Sep 30, 2026

House Democratic Leadership statement on Rep. Bernstine's behavior Sep 30, 2026

Pa. House OKs Haddock measure affirming state’s right to regulate AI Sep 30, 2026

Menopause awareness takes on a new meaning in PA Sep 29, 2026

Pa. House advances Friel Otten bill to establish public-interest standard for utility decisions Sep 29, 2026

Abney bill to help child welfare providers manage insurance costs passes House Sep 29, 2026

House passes Alyssa’s Law to get panic alarms installed into schools Sep 29, 2026

Rivera bill to lower electricity costs, increase reliability through grid-scale battery storage passes House
Oct 05, 2026

House passes Salisbury bill to restore newborn screening for Gaucher disease
Oct 05, 2026

Ciresi introduces legislation to give residents a voice on high-impact data centers
Oct 05, 2026

Cepeda-Freytiz to host 2-day VSP Eyes of Hope Mobile Clinic event in Reading
Oct 02, 2026

House Energy Committee votes out bills on data center regulations and fair rates for utility customers
Oct 01, 2026

House passes legislation to protect property owners from hidden, compounding municipal fines
Sep 30, 2026

House passes Inglis, Fiedler bill to streamline new energy connections to grid
Sep 30, 2026

Pa. House passes bipartisan legislation to regulate artificial intelligence usage in healthcare
Sep 30, 2026

PA State Capitol boasts new nursing facility
Sep 30, 2026

Morgan Rose’s Law headed for enaction after Pa. Senate approval
Sep 30, 2026

Ciresi: H.B. 2794 would require clear toll-rate signage on Pa. Turnpike
Sep 30, 2026

Ciresi announces committee approval of AI disclosure, video streaming and driverless vehicle legislation
Sep 30, 2026

Salisbury bill to help smaller community groups get security grants advances from committee
Sep 30, 2026

Pielli and Fiedler bill to end excess utility profits advances out of state House Energy Committee
Sep 30, 2026

House Democratic Leadership statement on Rep. Bernstine's behavior
Sep 30, 2026

Pa. House OKs Haddock measure affirming state’s right to regulate AI
Sep 30, 2026

Menopause awareness takes on a new meaning in PA
Sep 29, 2026

Pa. House advances Friel Otten bill to establish public-interest standard for utility decisions
Sep 29, 2026

Abney bill to help child welfare providers manage insurance costs passes House
Sep 29, 2026

House passes Alyssa’s Law to get panic alarms installed into schools
Sep 29, 2026