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In this Update:

• Senate Republicans Continue Negotiations for Pro-Growth, Responsible State Budget
• Harrisburg Highlights
• Senate Bill Expanding Access to Telemedicine Services to Be Signed by the Governor
• Changes to PA’s Clean Slate Law Have Gone Into Effect
• Celebrating National Dairy Month in Harrisburg
• Bill Giving Parents Flexibility with Their Children’s Education Passes Senate
• Set for Enactment: Bill Providing Free Credit Monitoring for Data Breach Victims
• June is National Fireworks Safety Month

Senate Republicans Continue Negotiations for Pro-Growth, Responsible State Budget

State budget negotiations are ongoing in Harrisburg, and we are encouraged by the dialogue between the Senate, House and governor. While it appears clear at this point that we will not have a full budget agreement which could be implemented by June 30, we are hopeful to reach a consensus very soon and avoid any negative impacts on the people of Pennsylvania. The Senate will return to session on Monday, July 1, at 3 p.m.

Senate Republicans continue to push for a spending plan that respects taxpayers, ensures existing resources are used wisely, and leads to economic and demographic growth in Pennsylvania. Since Gov. Josh Shapiro presented a budget plan in February that would increase overall spending by $3.2 billion, we have voiced the amount he wanted to spend is much higher than Senate Republicans believe is fiscally responsible.

Learn more about the process of enacting the 2024-25 state budget and watch the Senate in session here.

Harrisburg Highlights

I had the pleasure of meeting with Beaver County Prothonotary Jodi Jones and First Deputy Prothonotary Shannon Gula who stopped by office last week with Rep. Jim Marshall!

Senate Bill Expanding Access to Telemedicine Services to Be Signed by the Governor

Legislation I sponsored which will expand telemedicine access in Pennsylvania received final Senate approval and will be sent to the governor for enactment.

This legislation has been a work in progress for the past several legislative sessions, and I am glad to see the vast amount of bipartisan support for telemedicine expansion in our state. This bill is key to not only expanding access to telemedicine services in our state but allowing you to take care of your health in a way that suits your needs and schedules.

Telemedicine allows individuals to access health care services online using a computer, tablet or smartphone. It allows medical services to be provided to some of the most vulnerable Pennsylvanians who otherwise would not be able to receive them due to location or other circumstances.

Senate Bill 739 sets a base for how telemedicine will be covered by insurance companies and medical providers in Pennsylvania. The legislation requires:

• Health insurance policies to provide coverage for covered health care services delivered through telemedicine consistent with the insurer’s medical policies.
• Insurers to pay providers for covered health care services delivered through telemedicine consistent with the terms of the contract between the insurer and participating network provider.
• Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) programs to pay for covered health care services consistent with federal and state law.

Changes to PA’s Clean Slate Law Have Gone into Effect

Act 36 of 2023 is now in effect. The law makes two adjustments to the state Clean Slate Law, expanding the list of convictions eligible for automatic criminal records sealing and lowering the waiting period for misdemeanor convictions from 10 to seven years.

For more information on eligibility under our Clean Slate Law, please visit MyCleanSlatePA.com

Celebrating National Dairy Month in Harrisburg

Last Thursday, I was joined by state dairy and agriculture leaders as they showcased the immense value and impact our dairy industry has on Pennsylvania and our communities.

At the heart of our dairy industry, are our farmers. Without their knowledge, expertise, dedication, and, most importantly, their dairy cows, dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt would not be available for our households.

Our farmers are the backbone of our nation and ensure our homes are enriched with quality dairy, meat, and produce. We thank them not just today but every day for their never-ending dedication to our commonwealth.

As an advocate for our dairy farms and our agriculture industry, I am proud to have spearheaded legislation aimed at providing a better future for our farmers, which include:

• Increasing PA dairy farmer access to the federal Dairy Margin Coverage Program (Senate Bill 1229).
• Establishing the agriculture innovation grant program (Senate Bill 1269)
• Reforming our current over-order premium system to ensure maximum efficiency and transparency.

You can view the entire celebratory press conference here.

Bill Giving Parents Flexibility with Their Children’s Education Passes Senate

To ensure children with autism, developmental delays or intellectual disabilities are better prepared to enter the classroom, the Senate passed a bill allowing parents or guardians to delay their children attending school for as long as one year.

Senate Bill 1157 would allow them to request a waiver from the Department of Education to delay compulsory attendance when their child reaches the age of six if:

• The child has been diagnosed by a qualified health professional with autism spectrum disorder or has been identified by the state as having developmental delays or intellectual disabilities.
• The child has been evaluated by a qualified health professional in the last six months and has been recommended for continued intensive early intervention services.
• The parent or guardian provides evidence of alternative services being provided or documentation of their efforts to obtain such services.

The bill would offer individualized learning and specialized approaches so children are able to develop the social and emotional skills necessary for future success.

Set for Enactment: Bill Providing Free Credit Monitoring for Data Breach Victims

Bipartisan legislation to strengthen notification requirements for data breaches and provide affected citizens with free credit monitoring for a year and a credit report is set to be signed into law. The bill was approved by the House of Representatives this week, following Senate passage last year.

Senate Bill 824 would cover instances in which an individual’s first and last name or first initial and last name have been accessed in combination with any of the following information: Social Security number, bank account number, driver’s license or state ID number. The bill also strengthens state notification requirements and mandates Attorney General notification if a data breach occurs in the commonwealth.

A record 3,122 data breaches occurred nationally in 2023, affecting hundreds of millions of Americans and costing billions of dollars, according to the Identity Theft Resource Center. It marked a 72% increase in data compromises from the previous all-time high in 2021.

June is National Fireworks Safety Month

Independence Day is right around the corner, which means many of us will enjoy celebrations that include an American tradition: fireworks. Being aware of restrictions on consumer fireworks can help prevent injuries and property damage.

They cannot be discharged within 150 feet of a building or vehicle, regardless of whether the building or vehicle is owned by the user of the consumer fireworks. Fireworks cannot be discharged while the person is under the influence of alcohol, a controlled substance or another drug.

Read more about state restrictions, and check with your local municipality for applicable local ordinances.

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