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In this Update:

• Women Veterans Day Commemoration
• Senate Passes Bill to Fight Human Trafficking
• Bill Targeting Dangerous Fentanyl Additive Passes Senate
• PA Guard Military Family Education Program
• Entries Accepted for PA Agriculture Photo Contest
• National Cancer Survivors Month
• Out and About in the 30^th District

Women Veterans Day Commemoration

This year, Senator Tracy Pennycuick held the 4^th annual Women Veterans Day Commemoration. The ceremony recognized the invaluable contributions, sacrifices and achievements of the women who have served in our nation’s armed forces. It was a special opportunity to honor Pennsylvania’s women veterans and celebrate their service to our commonwealth and country.

Participants included the Pennsylvania Deputy Adjutant General, Brigadier General Maureen Weigl, as well as Marine Corps veteran Holly Villarreal, Army veteran Peggy Hoffman and Navy veteran Amber Viola.

In conjunction with the commemoration, a virtual display featuring 27 Pennsylvania women veterans is available online at SenatorPennycuick.com. Each display includes branch of service, rank, photo, a description of their service and what the experience meant to them.

Senate Passes Bill to Fight Human Trafficking

Legislation to give investigators and prosecutors new tools to fight human trafficking in Pennsylvania was passed by the Senate.

Senate Bill 45 will help local law enforcement agencies and the state attorney general investigate and prosecute human trafficking by increasing penalties for several related crimes, including promoting prostitution, promoting prostitution of a minor, exploiting prostitutes and patronizing prostitutes.

The bill also consolidates crimes related to human trafficking within the Crimes Code, giving the attorney general concurrent jurisdiction so these crimes, which are frequently the basis for large-scale human trafficking organizations, can be prosecuted more effectively.

It now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration. If you believe you may have information about a trafficking situation, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888. Read more about our latest action to combat human trafficking here.

Bill Targeting Dangerous Fentanyl Additive Passes Senate

The Senate passed legislation to combat the increasing illicit use of the veterinary anesthesia medetomidine by regulating it as a Schedule III controlled substance.

Senate Bill 866 provides law enforcement and public health officials with another tool to combat dangerous drug adulterants while including clear exemptions to ensure veterinarians can continue using the medication in the care and treatment of animals.

Medetomidine has rapidly overtaken xylazine as a common adulterant in Pennsylvania’s illicit drug supply. While medetomidine was not detected in samples collected in early 2024, it was found in approximately 80% of adulterants sold as fentanyl in Pennsylvania by April 2026. The drug is estimated to be significantly more potent than xylazine and can cause severe cardiovascular complications, even after naloxone has been administered.

The General Assembly passed legislation to make xylazine a Schedule III drug in 2024. The bill now advances to the House of Representatives for consideration. Read more about the measure here.

PA Guard Military Family Education Program

As students begin preparing for the fall semester, Pennsylvania National Guard members are reminded their families could be eligible for assistance to offset the cost of higher education.

The Military Family Education Program is for Guard members who completed an initial service obligation on or after July 1, 2019, and is eligible to reenlist in the PA National Guard for a period of six years.

The grants can be used for a degree-granting or certificate-granting curriculum, course of study, or training program required for entrance into a specific career at an approved Pennsylvania institution of higher learning. Read more details and find applications here.

Entries Accepted for PA Agriculture Photo Contest

Pennsylvania residents have until June 30 to submit entries in the 2026 Pennsylvania Agriculture Photo Contest.

Submit up to four original photos highlighting the people, places, traditions and beauty of agriculture across our region or the commonwealth. Winning photos will be displayed in the Pennsylvania Capitol Complex during the first weeks of September.

The categories are On the Farm, PA Fair Season, Agritourism, and Conservation. Click here for rules and how to submit your photos.

National Cancer Survivors Month

There are more than 18.6 million people living with a history of cancer in the U.S. Each person diagnosed with cancer faces a unique set of challenges, but one in four survivors report a poor physical quality of life, and many experience psychosocial challenges.

If you are a cancer survivor or caregiver, you can find resources from the National Cancer Institute here that may help you enhance your health and well-being after a cancer diagnosis. They address emotional concerns, nutrition and physical activity, support services, follow-up medical care and testing for cancer.

Out and About in the 30^th District

Senior Games Opening Ceremony

Body and Soul held their 40^th Annual Senior Games opening ceremony this week. The Senior Games are put together by the Mifflin-Juniata Area Agency on Aging and give seniors over 55 a chance to come out, receive health screenings and participate in some low impact events and exercises. It’s a week of fun and fellowship for these seniors from Mifflin and Juniata counties.

Lori Patterson

One of my Blair County constituents and friends, Lori Patterson, visited the Capitol this week, and I was able to show her the beauty of the Senate chamber!

Fulton County Camp Cadet

What an honor it was to give remarks at the recent Pennsylvania State Police Camp Cadet graduation ceremony at Camp Sinoquipe in Fulton County. This group of young people, ranging from ages 12-15, put in a tough week. The camp has been developed to give youth an understanding of law enforcement and what it means to be part of the Pennsylvania State Police. The program emphasizes integrity, discipline, physical fitness, and teamwork.

Nicholas Kupnieski

This week I introduced my summer intern, Nicholas Kupnieski, to my colleagues in the Senate chamber. Nick, a political science student at Saint Francis University, has been a great addition to my team.

Guard-Veterans Day at the Capitol

The PA Department of Military and Veterans Affairs hosted a Guard and Veterans Day event at the state Capitol, showcasing its dual mission of supporting the PA National Guard and PA veterans. As part of the event, service members gave presentations on the exciting things that are currently happening with the Guard. Thank you to all who serve or have served.

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