What a week it has been! From big changes with my beloved Phillies (thank you, Topper, for everything) to big movement on bills in Harrisburg, this week has been a whirlwind of progress.
We may have only spent three days in session this week, but it feels like we moved a month’s worth of legislation, met with hundreds of stakeholders, and had the opportunity to welcome many visitors from home and see neighbors in the Capitol joining us in working for the residents of our commonwealth.
It was so inspiring to have the students from Archbishop Carroll’s Student Government join us this week -- there's a pic later in this e-newsletter! Some are actually interested in pursuing positions (elected and unelected) in public service. I hope having the chance to view the legislature in action helped inform them about the work we do, and while we don’t always agree on every issue, we do agree on many solutions designed to help support all our communities.
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I also had the chance to catch up with Miss Northeastern PA, Anna Rinnier, who is a 168th resident and student at The Agnes Irwin School. Anna was crowned late last year and earned her title and scholarship opportunities through her outstanding community service initiative, Home of the Brave: Serving Those Who Serve Us!
Speaking of bipartisanship, I am thrilled to report two pieces of legislation I have been privileged to bring forth were moved along with strong bipartisan support this week. The Removing Administrative Burdens for Chiropractors legislation will help address issues facing our chiropractic practices, which are projected to see us losing 100+ chiropractors per year over the next decade. This came out of the Professional Licensure Committee unanimously. (More in a story below.)
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Likewise, House Bill 72, Protecting Tenants in Cases of Violence was voted out of the House with bipartisan support. This legislation is detailed below, but I want to add I am particularly proud of how we have collaborated with victim advocates and interests representing the landlords to arrive on legislation which will support the safety and security of victims of domestic violence, sexual abuse, and stalking.
We can do good things when we work together.
I hope everyone has a great weekend, and fingers crossed the Phillies start to get on the right track!
In service,
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Harrisburg Update
- My measure to protect domestic violence survivors passed in the House
- Progress on Morgan Rose's Law
- House committee approves my proposal to modernize chiropractic care
- Carroll Student Government visits Harrisburg
- Standing with nurses & healthcare professionals to advocate for better care
In the District
- Providence Rd. clean-up in Edgmont
- Meeting with Radnor PD's Community Response Team
- Bravo to Marple-Newtown's Hi-Q team!
Events
- Childcare Provider Roundtable (5/1)
- Property Tax/Rent Rebate Event (5/11)
FYI
- Fraud Watch! Beware of fake texts from "PennDOT"
- 2026-27 Student Teacher Support Program application is open!
- Middletown Twp. earns Bird Town Gold Certification status
Community Events & Announcements
- Orchestra Concordia performance in Radnor (5/1)
- Middletown Twp. Community Day (5/2)
- Newtown Square Fire Co. upcoming events (4/26, 5/9, 7/4)
- Wayne Plein Air Festival (Festival 5/3-9; Exhibition 5/9 – 6/20)
- NAMI online mental health support group for teens (5/14)
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My measure to protect domestic violence survivors passed (again) in the House
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On Wednesday, the House (again) passed my legislation that would help save the lives of domestic violence survivors by allowing them to exit rental agreements and change locks under certain circumstances.
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House Bill 72 would amend the Landlords and Tenants Act to provide for exceptions that give victims of domestic violence or abuse the option to terminate a rental lease early and/or change the locks or means of entry to their housing unit.
(You may watch my remarks about the bill prior to the vote being taken in the video!)
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Since 2023, I’ve worked with multiple stakeholders, including the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Pennsylvania Coalition to Advance Respect, and Alliance for Safety and Justice to craft a proposal that supports victims while making sure it doesn’t create an unfair cost burden for landlords.
The legislation is included as a key component under the “Provide Pathways to Housing Stabilization and Sustainability” goal in Governor Josh Shapiro’s Housing Action Plan, which notes that housing insecurity is one of the leading reasons survivors stay in or return to abusive relationships, and asserts that financial penalties associated with breaking a lease “should not be a consideration as victims look to transition from crisis.”
Pennsylvania is one of only ten states that offers zero protection to people who are being abused by a spouse, partner or family member with whom they share a lease for their home. It’s time to change that. I’ll continue to keep you updated on the bill’s progress; it’s now eligible to be taken up in the Senate.
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Progress on Morgan Rose's Law
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After a long journey – I first introduced this legislation in September 2024 – I’m so encouraged to share meaningful progress on my SUDEP legislation, Morgan Rose’s Law, a bipartisan effort with Rep. Ann Flood since I reintroduced it for the current session in May 2025.
Inspired by Morgan’s family, the Hosbachs, we've worked closely with coroners and medical examiners, epilepsy advocates, and families to build awareness and momentum around the importance of properly identifying Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) as a cause of death. Now, this work has reached an important milestone: the bill has passed a Senate committee and is now eligible for debate and a full vote by the chamber.
This progress is a testament to the dedication of the Hosbachs, whose courage continues to drive this effort forward, and of the Pennsylvania State Coroners' Association. It brings us closer to collecting more accurate data, supporting research, and ensuring that families have answers – and ultimately, saving lives.
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House committee approves my proposal to modernize chiropractic care
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Earlier this week, I testified before the House Professional Licensure Committee on the bill I introduced to improve chiropractic care in PA by modernizing our regulation concerning certification for who can help provide care to patients.
H.B. 1106 would re-establish Certified Chiropractic Assistants (CCAs) as a profession in PA, a long overdue move that would allow patients to receive a higher degree of care from their chiropractor’s office and help us retain this type of health care provider. PA has been steadily losing practitioners for a variety of reasons, including impractical regulatory hurdles -- since 2018, we’re the only state in the country that doesn’t recognize CCAs as a profession.
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That means chiropractors here in PA can’t delegate any work (like therapeutic exercise) to assistants, resulting in delays and barriers to care for both patients and providers.
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While chiropractors in PA are allowed to delegate certain in-office tasks to employees, those employees can’t apply for any kind of state license. That creates ambiguity over what kinds of tasks can and cannot be delegated to them, because they lack a defined set of competencies that come with professional certification.
H.B. 1106 would define a CCA’s responsibilities as outlined by the Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards to guarantee quality care. When other states did the same, it alleviated the burden of going without support for chiropractors, improved patient satisfaction, and resulted in an overall higher standard of care at these practices.
I’m happy to report the House Professional Licensure Committee voted unanimously to approve the bill, and it’s well supported on both sides of the aisle.
I’m glad we’re one step closer to modernizing chiropractic care in PA to meet people’s needs, and am looking forward to H.B. 1106 coming up for debate and a vote on the House floor. This legislation would go far toward retaining our highly trained chiropractors and creating a pathway for more to enter the profession.
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Carroll Student Government visits Harrisburg
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We welcomed members of the Archbishop John Carroll High School Student Government and their teacher advisors to the floor of the PA House of Representatives on Tuesday!
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It was such an honor to have these future leaders see how their state government functions as they joined us for session in the morning, toured our beautiful Capitol building, and then sat in the gallery to watch our voting session in the afternoon.
These students are ready to serve, and I hope their day here inspires them to register to vote when they turn 18 ?? and to seek out ways to serve their communities!
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Standing with nurses & healthcare professionals to advocate for better care across PA
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On Sunday, Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses & Allied Professionals President Maureen May presented me with a 2026 Healthcare Champion Award on behalf of her organization. I’m tremendously honored to receive this recognition, especially because it comes from the nurses and healthcare professionals who show up every day for patients; both caring for them at their bedsides and advocating for them in places like this Capitol.
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Nurses and healthcare professionals are the ones who see firsthand where our system falls short, and who put in the extra time to work toward making those systems better for patients and providers.
Thank you to members of PASNAP for this honor, and for taking every opportunity to stand up for our communities. I have so much respect for the work you do to heal people and make them feel heard and cared for. I am full of gratitude for the honor of fighting alongside you – and with fellow honoree Sen. Tim Kearney – to make sure everyone has access to the healthcare they need, when they need it.
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Providence Rd. clean-up in Edgmont
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The neighbors, staff, and elected officials of Edgmont Township turned out to beautify Providence Road from West Chester Pike to Gradyville Road!
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With the help of PennDOT District 6 Middletown Highway Maintenance and PA State Police Troop K we set out to pick up trash along this beautiful stretch of the 168th bordering Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Ridley Creek State Park. We had a great time making a difference in our community!
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I was thrilled to join (along with my best guy) Riddle Hospital and the Riddle Healthcare Foundation to celebrate the recipients of this year’s Man O’War Award! Congratulations to my friends at The Foundation for Delaware County who were honored along with orthopedic surgeon Dr. Eric Smith and the entire staff of the Emergency Department!
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The Man O’War Gala has been a fundraiser for Riddle for many, many years! My mom used to help run it as an auxiliary member in the ‘70s, ‘80s, and ‘90s when my dad was a Riddle physician. What a thrill to see the impactful community work of The Foundation of Delaware County recognized alongside the incredible staff of the Emergency Department, who are working overtime to serve the needs of the community in the wake of the loss of four Delco hospitals; and Dr. Smith, who is a skilled surgeon and compassionate caregiver.
We had a great time and even ran into some Drexel buddies who were there to celebrate as well! Cheers to all the evening’s award recipients!
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The sun broke through the clouds, and it was a storybook ending for The Friends of Newtown Public Library’s inaugural Once Upon a Run Festival & 5k Run!
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Congratulations to The Friends who, under the leadership of the indomitable Cindi Young, hosted a wonderful community event and fundraiser in support of the library. Rain at the beginning of the event did not dampen spirits and the runners turned up in costumes and ready to go in support of one of Newtown’s most cherished community resources!
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So fun to help write this story with so many enthusiastic neighbors, including Newtown Township Supervisors Leonard Altieri and Cheryl Grosso (aka Dorothy), Library Trustees Pam Purser (aka Pippi Longstocking), Sharon Brandon & Paul Seligson, the Delco Duo from PHL17 Jenna & Monica, Newtown Township, Delaware County Public Works, Newtown Square Fire Company, Newtown Township Police, Chief Joseph Daly from Delaware County Veterans Memorial Association, a slew of supportive local businesses from Newtown Square Business Association and, of course, our own Snow White, president of the Friends of Newtown Library Cindi Young and our fabulous Library Director Arlene Caruso!
Thank you to the amazing Team 168 who always show up and congratulations to all the runners & walkers! This story had a very happy ending!
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Meeting with Radnor PD's Community Response Team
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Last week I met with members of the Radnor Police Dept., including their Police Social Worker, Isabel Cook, to talk about how they respond to mental health calls in a trauma-informed way.
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Radnor is one of the first police departments in Delaware County to have a fully embedded social worker on the force to focus on victim services and respond to substance use and mental health emergencies, helping to connect individuals and families to resources, and even assist them in securing treatment when needed.
Since its inception almost two years ago, the program has responded to hundreds of calls to offer support to residents in need. They work hard to establish meaningful relationships to deter crime and support victims. This program is a tremendous addition enhancing Radnor PD’s focus on community policing, and I’m eager to keep supporting their innovative efforts.
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Bravo to Marple-Newtown's Hi-Q team!
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Congratulations go to Marple Newtown School District’s High School Hi-Q Team! So much fun to have watched these amazing students all season and now see them ascend to the very top! Cheers to all their hard work and talent which has brought them to this point. Congratulations to them and their very supportive teacher sponsors!
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Excitement is building in the 168th and across the region as Aronimink Golf Club gets ready to host the PGA Championship!
Recently, Senator Tim Kearney and I joined Jackie Endsley and Tyler Curtis from the PGA and the 168th’s own Paul Tufano, Aronimink’s Community Relations Chairperson for the PGA Championship to see behind the scenes of one of golf’s premier tournaments. The eyes of the world will be on Newtown Township, and they are ready!
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The course looks amazing, the Newtown Township PD, Newtown Square Fire Company, Main Line Health EMS, PA State Police, and law enforcement in surrounding municipalities are all collaborating to make this a safe and exciting experience while minimizing impact on the local community. We thank Visit Delco, PA for all they have done to support bringing this event and its tremendous economic impact to our region.
The PGA and Newtown Police will be sharing updates about traffic patterns and parking which they will push out and we will help amplify. Stay tuned. Also watch for information about a May date to purchase merchandise before the championship starts. There are also still tickets for the practice rounds!
We look forward to welcoming over 200,000 golf enthusiasts to beautiful Aronimink, Newtown Township and the 168th!
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I am so proud to represent Penn State Brandywine, a true gem of the 168th! I welcome any opportunity to visit campus and hear about the work of their impressive students and innovative faculty and staff. This time I brought with me many of my colleagues in the region who serve in the House and Senate to show off what our local Penn State campus is up to.
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They have always been a great partner to my office and the community at large while doing the hard work of educating our next generation of leaders. Thank you to the students, Advisory Board members, Bill Tyson, and Chancellor Marilyn Wells for an informative morning!
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Fraud Watch! Beware of fake texts from "PennDOT"
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Please help us spread the word about a fake PennDOT text message scam that is circulating in our region! These texts will claim to be from the “Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT)” regarding an alleged delinquent traffic infraction.
But PennDOT will NEVER text you about a delinquent infraction or owing them money.
The message threatens driver’s license suspension, vehicle registration revocation, collections, legal action, and credit reporting unless payment is made through a link provided in the text. DO NOT CLICK THE LINK!
A screenshot of the most commonly circulated version of the text is pictured here.
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2026-27 Student Teacher Support Program application is open!
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Student teachers, it’s time to apply for the PHEAA 2026-27 PA Student Teacher Support Program! $10,000 stipends are available on a first-come, first-served basis for future educators who enter a student teaching placement and commit to working in Pennsylvania as a teacher for three years. The program also provides up to $2,500 to cooperating teachers who mentor and assist student teachers.
I was proud to vote last session for the legislation that created this program. Click here for all of the eligibility criteria and the application.
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Middletown Twp. earns Bird Town Gold status!
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Bird Town Pennsylvania, a statewide program administered by the Pennsylvania Audubon Council, has awarded Middletown Township Gold Certification status based on the activity of its program!
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Each year, Bird Towns submit an annual report which is evaluated based on suggested actions to engage officials, students and residents of the community and to improve habitat. Those actions include municipal, school and youth, community engagement, organization, collaborations and partnerships, and advocacy.
As a result of Bird Town Middletown Township completing actions in all 5 strategies and achieving over 25 points, it received Gold Certification status. There are 112 total Bird Towns in PA, ranked in ascending order: green, bronze, silver, gold. We are so proud of the township’s achievement!
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Community Events & Announcements
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The next installment of NAMI Main Line PA's online mental health group for students grades 8-12, called "Stay Well, Build Your Skills," will be held on Thursday, May 14.
The first half of these 90-minute sessions consists of an open support group. The second half features a presentation/discussion with a mental health professional or peer about a specific mental health skill. This group meets on Zoom every other week on Thursday nights; right now events are scheduled through May 28. Click here to register and see the list of upcoming events.
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Pennsylvania State Capitol
28-B East Wing
Harrisburg, PA 17120
(717) 772-2005
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District Office
24 S. Newtown Street Rd., Suite 100
Newtown Square, PA 19073
(484) 427-2884
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