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In this Update:
Reporting 2023-2024 Legislative AccomplishmentsThe recently concluded two-year legislative session ended as a productive one for securing reforms to the justice system and increasing community protections. 17 of my bills were turned into law, with several others positioned for action in the new legislative session. I credit community consultation, bipartisan commitment, good faith negotiations, and a concentration on steps that are practical, fair, and enforceable for this level of legislative success. Issues in the arena of criminal justice reform face differing perspectives from emotional, philosophical, and financial standpoints. It is easy to point out problems and attack the system. It takes a great deal of effort to find a balance between addressing community concerns, giving those in the judiciary and law enforcement community the tools and latitude needed to pursue justice, and convincing taxpayers that the rising investment in criminal justice especially is showing results in community safety. Key Legislative Accomplishments Strengthening the Guardianship System Guardianship is a meaningful way to provide protection and assistance for individuals no longer capable of handling their financial, legal and treatment circumstances. However, we have been alerted to cases where individuals have been victimized by guardians who are not properly trained or operating under sufficient supervision. Act 61 of 2023 strengthens procedures and accountability to reduce the potential of fraud by:
With more than 19,000 active guardianships statewide, this law safeguards vulnerable adults from abuse, neglect and exploitation. Closing Loopholes in Megan’s Law Act 16 of 2024 extends Megan’s Law requirements to human traffickers, ensuring individuals convicted of certain offenses are subject to the same reporting and evaluation requirements as any other sexual offender. Streamlining Probation and Expanding Clean Slate Lengthy sentences, when disproportionate to the severity of the offenses, impose excessive costs on taxpayers. It is possible to hold individuals accountable and lessen sentences for non-violent crimes without sacrificing community safety. We have struck this delicate balance with measures like our probation reform law and clean slate, which remove barriers to rehabilitation and offer a way out of criminal lifestyles for those who want to become productive citizens. Act 44 of 2023 introduces mandatory probation review conferences, allowing for early termination based on good conduct – such as educational or employment achievements – streamlining Pennsylvania’s probation system. Act 36 of 2023 expands Pennsylvania’s groundbreaking Clean Slate law by allowing nonviolent felony convictions to be sealed. Since June 2024, individuals with eligible offenses have gained new opportunities for housing, education and employment. Improving Child Custody Protections Kayden Mancuso was seven-years-old when her father brutally murdered her during a unsupervised visit ordered by the court, despite evidence of his prior abusive and violent behavior. Act 8 of 2024 strengthens child custody laws by prioritizing children’s safety during custody disputes and updating the criteria courts must consider before custody of a child is awarded, including adding seven crimes to the list of offenses that must be taken into account when rendering judgement. Reforming Juvenile Justice I spearheaded two pieces of legislation aimed at overhauling Pennsylvania’s juvenile justice system, implementing recommendations from the state’s Juvenile Justice Task Force. Act 107 of 2024 requires quarterly disposition review hearings to ensure timely evaluations of juveniles’ needs, risks and readiness for release. Act 108 of 2024 simplifies juvenile record expungement, reducing waiting periods for most misdemeanors from five years to two, promoting fairness and efficiency. These changes are designed to incorporate established methods for raising youth outcomes and addressing significant gaps in current practices. By improving the law, we have taken important steps to give young people a true second chance. Extending PA One Call Simplifying PA Trusts Modifications to Pennsylvania’s trust laws will make our state more competitive by eliminating incentives for people to set up these accounts in other states. Act 64 of 2024 streamlines directed trusts for beneficiaries by allowing trustees to share administrative powers with a trust director, reducing costs and simplifying account settlements. Act 64 of 2023 updates the irrevocable grantor trust process by allowing the grantor to pay the income taxes so the trust’s beneficiaries are not negatively impacted. Modernizing Professional Licenses Today’s athletes are bigger, stronger and faster than ever before. The types of injuries experienced – such as concussions, fractures and dislocations – require expert care in the critical moments following the trauma in order to promote quicker recovery and prevent long-term damage. Acts 83 and 84 of 2024 provide long-sought changes to the laws governing athletic trainers, aligning their scope of practice with current education and training standards and adding members of the performing arts and military, and recreationally active people to their list of patients. With 23 accredited athletic training programs, including King’s College, Pennsylvania is home to the most in the nation. These updates will allow graduates to stay here to work rather than seeking employment in other states. Act 32 of 2024 modernizes the licensure process for engineers, land surveyors and geologists by expanding options for work experience requirements and allowing distance learning courses to count towards continuing education. This session has laid the groundwork for meaningful progress, but our work is far from over. As we look ahead to the next legislative session, I remain committed to reforms that improve accountability and to advancing policies to ensure our communities are safer, stronger and more prosperous for generations to come. Family-Sustaining Jobs Give Pennsylvanians Great Opportunity
Access to family-sustaining jobs give Pennsylvanians the opportunity to thrive, so Senate Republicans focused on creating an environment to attract and retain great employers. That’s why we worked to continue the phase-down of the jobs-killing Corporate Net Income Tax and began eliminating the start-up penalty that thwarts entrepreneurship. We also funded scholarships to encourage young people to fill high-demand job openings and enacted the Max Manufacturing Initiative so Pennsylvania can produce high-value products and create family-sustaining jobs. Because high energy prices mean fewer jobs, we fought the RGGI electricity tax and streamlined the permit-review process for job creators. The budget we passed ensures business sites are prepared to welcome new jobs and created new Keystone Opportunity Zones to bring new businesses to underutilized parcels of land. Read more about how we have protected PA jobs. Senate Republicans Vote for Healthy Communities
To support families, Senate Republicans passed bills in the 2023-24 legislative session that foster healthy communities. Landmark legislation eliminated out-of-pocket costs for breast cancer screening and testing for women at high risk – the first bill of its kind in the nation. Pennsylvanians also have greater access to licensed addiction treatment programs because of a bill we passed. From babies who are just a few days old to people who have lived a long life, new laws help Pennsylvanians with the medical care they need. Struggling babies now have critical access to life-saving care provided by medically prescribed pasteurized human donor milk. Another new law prevents senior citizens using Pennsylvania’s prescription drug programs from losing their benefits due to a Social Security cost-of-living increase. Learn more about our efforts to improve health care, including tackling health care staffing shortages, improving patient care options and reducing administrative burdens for health care providers. Home Heating Assistance Takes the Chill Out
Residents struggling with their home heating bills may apply for assistance from the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) through April 4. LIHEAP is a federally funded program that helps individuals and families pay their heating bills through home heating energy assistance grants. It also provides crisis grants to help in the event of an emergency or if a resident is in danger of losing his or her heat due to broken equipment, lack of fuel or termination of utility service. The income eligibility guidelines for LIHEAP are $22,590 for an individual, $30,660 for a couple and $46,800 for a family of four. Find limits for other family sizes here. Residents may apply for LIHEAP online or by contacting their local county assistance office. Free Drug Overdose Prevention Supplies Available
Naloxone and drug-checking strips designed to detect xylazine and fentanyl are available at no cost through the Pennsylvania Overdose Prevention Program. The program’s goal is to improve community-based distribution and harm reduction efforts while focusing on individuals who face the greatest risk of experiencing overdose. Organizations can use an interactive map, which can be filtered by product, distribution methods and trainings offered. It will display contact information for getting supplies. If organizations aren’t able to get supplies using the map, they’re encouraged to use this form. PA Farm Show Runs Jan. 4-11
As a state where agriculture is one of the top industries, Pennsylvania is proud to host the largest indoor agricultural exposition under one roof in the nation. The Pennsylvania Farm Show runs from Jan. 4-11 in Harrisburg. The Farm Show features nearly 6,000 animals, competitive events and 250 commercial exhibits. There are also educational and entertaining events – and of course the famed Food Court. Admission is free, and parking is $15 per car. Agriculture in PA employs nearly half a million people and contributes $132.5 billion to the state’s economy annually. Friedman JCC Hanukkah Festivities
The Mayrutz Run kicked off Hanukkah festivities at the Freidman JCC. Following the run, the community gathered to celebrate with a menorah lighting ceremony, singing, hot chocolate and treats.
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