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In this Update:
Bill Improving Elevator Safety in Pennsylvania Passes Senate
The Pennsylvania Senate passed legislation this week to improve elevator safety standards in Pennsylvania. Eight years ago, Luzerne County Correctional Officer Kris Moules tragically lost his life in the line of duty after a violent confrontation with an inmate led to both of them being thrown against a faulty elevator door and plunging down the shaft. This incident hits close to home for me, as Kris was not just a dedicated officer but also a close friend of my son – a talented young man whose life was cut short far too soon. In response to this heartbreaking event, corrective measures were introduced through Act 68 of 2018, which established the Elevator Safety Board to address critical issues surrounding elevator construction, maintenance and inspection. However, despite this initial progress, Pennsylvania’s elevator code has remained outdated since 2002. The American Society of Mechanical Engineers has revised the national elevator code seven times since then, yet Pennsylvania still adheres to standards that no longer reflect current safety practices. The Elevator Safety Board submitted its recommendations to update these codes to the Department of Labor and Industry in late 2020, but the agency has not acted. Senate Bill 1230 requires the Department of Labor and Industry to adopt an updated safety code, effective July 1, 2025. Prior to adoption, the Elevator Safety Board may recommend modifications based upon its professional expertise and industry experience. The legislation establishes timely benchmarks, making sure these necessary upgrades will not be delayed further and public safety will prevail. After Kris’s passing, his mother, Kitty Moules, looked me in the eye and said, ‘Please make sure people are safe and Kris’s death was not in vain.’ I made a promise to her that I intend to uphold – one that reflects the expectations of a community that lost a bright young man to unforeseen dangers. The bill now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration. Legislation to Combat AI-Generated Deepfake Images of Minors in PA Set for Enactment
Legislation to combat “deepfake” images of minors and child sexual abuse materials generated by artificial intelligence (AI) received final legislative approval and is set for enactment into law. Senate Bill 1213 addresses the alarming rise in AI-generated deepfake sexual images of children and non-consenting adults. Currently, Pennsylvania law makes it illegal to share intimate images without consent but does not clearly address the use of AI deepfake technology for this purpose. This gap in our law leaves many vulnerable to a new form of digital abuse. The bill also prohibits AI from being utilized to generate child sexual abuse material, previously referred to as “child pornography,” which is not currently prohibited under law. In August, police in Lancaster County launched an investigation into a case of artificially generated nude photos that use the faces of more than 20 female teenage students. The district attorney said that in some cases charges can’t be filed because the images don’t involve actual children. Senate Bill 1213 seeks to close that loophole. Senate Committee Votes to be Prepared for Natural Disasters
As hurricanes Helene and Milton remind us of the importance of being prepared to respond to natural disasters and other emergencies, the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee advanced three bills to support Pennsylvania’s emergency responders. All three bills now advance to the full Senate for consideration. House Bill 843 would establish a second urban search and rescue team in western Pennsylvania. Funding for the team was included in this year’s state budget. The bridge collapse and East Palestine train derailment demonstrated the need for emergency response in minutes, not hours. House Bill 1304 would update the language in the 911 Law to increase penalties for misuse of the 911 system and ensure communications service providers report service outages as specified by the Federal Communications Commission or Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission. House Bill 2407 would update the state Fire and EMS Grant Program by enabling fire and EMS companies to use grants for preventative health measures, mental health awareness and treatment. The legislation also would allow testing after each of the four training modules that total 188 hours for the Firefighter 1 certification, as opposed to requiring firefighters to pass a cumulative test covering all modules as is currently the case. Finally, the bill would increase the thresholds that fire and EMS companies can borrow from the low-interest Fire and EMS Loan Program. PA’s Credit Rating Upgraded Because of Strong Budget Reserves
Pennsylvania received yet another upgrade to its credit rating because of strong budget reserves and prudent financial management of Senate Republicans. Moody’s Investor Services raised the rating to Aa2. The announcement was the fourth significant upgrade to the state’s financial outlook in the past 13 months. Previous upgrades helped Pennsylvania and its taxpayers save nearly $100 million during the December 2023 bond sale. Senate Republicans have been dedicated to building the state’s Rainy Day Fund, allocating nearly $740 million more in this year’s budget – bringing the total balance to more than $7 billion. Above the national average, the fund directly influenced the rating upgrades. Area Librarians Visit Capitol
Following a conference held by the Pennsylvania Library Association, Tunkhannock Public Library Executive Director Dellanna Diovisavo and Tracy Schwarz, director of the Wayne County Public Library and administrator of the Wayne Library Alliance System, stopped by my office to provide a summary of the programs and services they offer and explain their impact in the community. Carl Sagan said, “The library connects us with the insight and knowledge…of the greatest minds that ever were, with the best teachers, drawn from the entire planet and from all our history, to instruct us without tiring, and to inspire us to make our own contribution to the collective knowledge of the human species.” Thank you to all our librarians for their commitment to ensuring we continue to benefit and thrive in this way. Celebrating Willis Ide, WW ll Veteran and Centenarian
Last week, we wished an outstanding American and centenarian, Willis Ide, a very Happy Birthday! A WWII veteran, he served in the 135th Signal Radio Intelligence under General George Patton. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge and was awarded two Bronze Stars for meritorious service. He celebrated his 100th trip around the sun surrounded by friends and family. What Do You Think of PennDOT’s Construction and Maintenance Services?
Motorists have until Tuesday, Oct. 22, to provide feedback regarding PennDOT’s construction and maintenance services via an online survey. The survey asks respondents how they receive PennDOT roadway information and how often PennDOT meets or exceeds expectations regarding construction and maintenance services. Respondents are also asked about experiences with reporting concerns to their department, and whether or how they use the state’s 511PA traveler information services. Act 1 of 2023
Act 1 of 2023, a landmark law we passed in Pennsylvania, eliminates all costs associated with screening breast MRI, ultrasound, genetic testing and counseling for individuals at high risk of breast cancer who are insured under state-regulated plans. High-risk factors include a personal or family history of breast cancer, abnormal breast screenings or dense breast tissue. Individuals with gene mutations like BRCA1 or BRCA2, or those with a first-degree relative carrying these mutations, are also covered for additional screenings and genetic counseling. The law will be fully in effect for all state-regulated insurance plans by the end of 2025, though many plans will begin coverage between 2024 and 2025. To find out if your plan qualifies, check with your insurer or employer’s human resources. For uninsured or underinsured women who need immediate screenings, Pennsylvania offers no-cost options through the Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program.
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