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In this update:
2023-2024 Legislative Accomplishments
Throughout the 2023-2024 legislative session, I have had eight pieces of legislation enacted into law. Many of these eight new laws have started from conversations right here in the district, from the needs of our communities. I have focused on protecting our seniors and children, eliminating burdensome regulations, and expanding access to care. Throughout my time in office your priorities are always first on my mind and what we focus on accomplishing. Protecting Seniors and Children: Act 58 of 2023 amends our Court of Common Pleas Districts around the Commonwealth to ensure the functioning of our judicial system. This was Senate Bill 361, which I sponsored and this seeks to add judges to 10 counties in Pennsylvania. Act 92 of 2024 and Act 125 of 2024, were two pieces of legislation that were unanimously approved by the Senate and originally sponsored as Senate Bills 186 and 187. These new acts strengthen Pennsylvania’s laws related to child pornography and child sexual abuse. The words we use in state laws are important, especially when they are the foundation for a criminal case against a child sexual predator. The internet has created a whole new front in the protection of our children. These changes will better enable law enforcement to keep our children safe and apprehend those individuals who present a danger to them. Act 62 of 2023 provides for greater eligibility for seniors receiving PACE and PACENET. Pennsylvania’s PACE and PACENET programs help qualified seniors get prescription medicine at a lower cost. Act 77 of 2024 is known as Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBM) Reform Act. This new law which originally started as legislation that I sponsored as Senate Bill 1000 assists our community pharmacies and those who rely on prescription drugs. It further provides for greater transparency in the operation of PBM’s and allows for oversight from the Insurance Department into their practices. Eliminating Burdensome Regulations: Act 27 of 2023 repealed the outdated Frozen Dessert Law of 1965, which created an unproductive, harmful burden on restaurants and frozen dessert shops. Our frozen dessert regulations create unnecessary burdens on the industry and Senate Bill 152 was the first step of many to assist the industry in creating more efficiencies in their production. Expanding Access to Care: Act 109 of 2024 allows for Certified Nurse Aides to pursue a medication administration certification. I authored Senate Bill 668, to meet the growing needs of our health care facilities across Pennsylvania by adding the position of Certified Medication Aide, creating a training program to assist our CNAs and create career growth opportunities for those who care for our seniors in long-term care. Act 6 of 2024 updates regulations for plasma donation centers across the Commonwealth, bringing them in compliance with federal law, additionally providing for an expansion of facilities to meet the critical need of plasma-derived therapies. Additional regulations in Pennsylvania on plasma donation prevented these donation centers from meeting the growing need of plasma. Aligning regulatory standards with federal law while upholding the safety and quality of these facilities for donors and patients provides for access to these high demand therapies. FAFSA Now Available
The 2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid, FAFSA, is now available. Students and families can access the form on StudentAid. Families should create their StudentAid account prior to completing the FAFSA. As part of the two-step authentication, families can also download an authenticator app which can be used to assist families with logging in even when cell and internet service isn’t available. This two-step verification method offers more security than other methods against phishing, hacking, and interception of text messages or email. For more information on financial assistance or help, you can check out PHEAA, which provides webinars and virtual help on affordable access to higher education. Happy New Year!
As the year draws to a close, we take this time to look back on all that was accomplished and look forward to everything that the new year has to offer us! I am grateful to all of you for the continued opportunities we have set ahead of us. Wishing you and your family a very Happy and Healthy New Year! Out and About in the 30th DistrictJack’s Mountain Soap Ribbon Cutting We joined the Juniata River Valley Chamber of Commerce for a ribbon cutting for Jack’s Mountain Soap Shop in McVeytown, recently. Jack’s Mountain makes homemade soaps, haircare products, facial products, lotions and chapsticks. In each bar of soap, they use just five basic ingredients: coconut oil, olive oil, palm oil, water and lye. Congratulations to Jack’s Mountain Soap Shop!
Grand Opening of Qscapes Congratulations to Qscapes on their grand opening, which is located in the lower level of the Logan Valley Mall in Altoona. Qscapes is an aquascaping and rare plant retailer!
Mifflin County Stadium Project Update We recently attended the Mifflin County Stadium Committee’s press conference which announced that $4.5 million had been donated towards the sports complex project in the Mifflin County School District. Joel Diamond, Co-Chairman, spoke at the event and was one of the key players as well as, John Pannizzo, Co-Chairman, in making this a reality for our community. The stadium project is well underway and some of the turf has been added at the other areas including the practice field.
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