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In this Update:
New Law Requires AEDs at School Sports Events
Legislation approved by the Senate to help prevent the leading cause of death among young athletes – sudden cardiac arrest – is now law. Senate Bill 375, now Act 17 of 2026, will require automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to be present at all PIAA-sanctioned athletic events and practices. The law also requires schools to develop and rehearse emergency action plans for cardiac incidents. AEDs are portable, life-saving devices used to restore normal heartbeats with electrical shock. The legislation was introduced after the tragic death of Greg Moyer, who passed away from sudden cardiac arrest during a high school basketball game in East Stroudsburg, Monroe County. Read more about passage of this new law here. Midwifery Modernization Law Supports Mothers and Babies
A new law we passed will help ensure women and families have access to safe, high-quality care throughout pregnancy and postpartum recovery by modernizing Pennsylvania’s laws governing midwives. Senate Bill 507, now Act 14 of 2026, updates licensure requirements for certified midwives, improves collaboration with physicians and expands prescription authority in certain circumstances. The law also addresses healthcare shortages in rural and underserved communities by expanding the number of trained professionals available to provide maternal care services. Read more about our work to expand this care for mothers and babies here. Improving Stream Maintenance, Reducing Flood Hazards
Legislation to give counties and municipalities more flexibility in handling flood-related hazards and obstructions was passed by the Senate in March and now awaits action in the House of Representatives. Currently, some stream maintenance activities, including those that involve entering streams with heavy equipment to remove obstructions, require a permit from the state Department of Environmental Protection, a process that is lengthy, tedious and inefficient. Senate Bill 403 would allow local government organizations to apply for an extended permit, allowing maintenance to continue for 10 years or more. Senate Bill 404 would allow counties to obtain emergency maintenance permits in consultation with their county conservation district. Read more about how these bills will help protect against flooding here. Hearing Examines Bill Ensuring Lead-Free Drinking Water in Schools
A recent Senate hearing examined legislation to ensure Pennsylvania students have access to safe, lead-free drinking water in schools. The Senate Institutional Sustainability and Innovation Committee discussed Senate Bill 759, which would require school districts to replace outdated drinking fountains with lead-filtering hydration stations by 2028 while providing funding mechanisms to help schools cover implementation costs. Committee members heard testimony from experts in environmental advocacy, public health, plumbing and pediatric medicine on the dangers of lead exposure and the need for preventative action in schools across Pennsylvania. Watch the hearing and read testimony here. Read more about the hearing and Senate Bill 759 here. Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program Kicks Off in June
Beginning in June, the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program offers vouchers to eligible seniors (60+) to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at local farmers markets. Call your county aging office to apply and find out when and where they are distributing the vouchers. You can find aging offices and voucher information here. Available on first come, first served basis. Click here for details and where to find participating markets. Fraud Bingo
Blair Senior Services will be hosting two Fraud Bingo events in June. On June 12 from 12 PM to 1 PM it will be at the Southern Blair Senior Center, located at 15229 Dunnings Highway in East Freedom. This event is open to members only. The second event will take place on June 30 from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM at the Northern Blair Senior Center, located at 505 3rd Street in Tyrone. This event is open to members of the public who are 60 and over. Recapping Mammo May 2026
As we wrap up Mammo May, Mammography Month, I hope you or the women you know are better informed on the importance of early breast cancer detection. If you’re one of the average 38 Pennsylvania women diagnosed with breast cancer each day, catching it early greatly increases your odds of successful treatment. Some resources to keep handy: No-Cost Screenings Information Most mammograms take about 20 minutes. Please spread the word and share this important information from the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition. Fulton County Senior Expo Was a Success
This year’s Fulton County Senior Expo is in the books. These types of events are a great opportunity for me to hear directly from constituents and help connect them with valuable services. Thank you to all the vendors for sharing your expertise and information with the attendees and helping make the expo a huge success. You can check out the flicker link to see pictures from the event. Out and About in the 30th DistrictCentral Cove High School FFA Banquet Central Cove FFA in Blair County celebrated their seniors at their banquet. The keynote speaker was Sam Parks from nearby Williamsburg who is a State FFA Officer. Pictured with me is my friend, Evalyn Bettwy, the granddaughter of my mentor, former state Representative Jerry Stern.
Greater Hope Care Center Tour As part of my continued work as chair of the Senate Maternal and Infant Health Caucus, the caucus toured Greater Hope Care Center in Jersey Shore, Lycoming County. Greater Hope is a pregnancy resource center committed to serving women and families with compassion, dignity, and practical support. All services are provided at no cost, ensuring that financial barriers never stand in the way of women receiving the care they need for themselves and their baby. Keep up the great work! Pictured with me are Representatives Flick and Hamm, along with staff and the Executive Director of Greater Hope Care Center, Dilonna Coran.
Memorial Day Parade It was an honor to participate in the Memorial Day festivities in Belleville, Mifflin County, to honor those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to our county.
The Academy I enjoyed reading to the kiddos at The Academy, an early learning site in Altoona. Spending time with children is one of my favorite parts of the job!
Celebration of Life This Memorial Day weekend the Lewistown Police Department held an event honoring Stephen “Steve” Knudsen. Steve passed away on February 6 and was a lifelong public servant who spent his career with the Lewistown Borough Police Department and the Mifflin County Regional Police Department. After his retirement, Steve served on the Lewistown Borough Council and remained very active in the community.
Square Root Plant Company Grand Opening The Square Root Plant Company held their grand opening and ribbon cutting recently. Square Root Plant Company is a neighborhood plant shop in downtown Lewistown that offers houseplants, curated plant goods, and hands-on workshops designed to help you grow with confidence. Come check them out at 3 West Monument Square, Suite 101!
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![Senator Judy Ward with Sam Parks, who is from nearby Williamsburg and is a state FFA officer.]](https://senatorjudyward.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/168/2026/05/Sam-Parks.jpg)
