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Capitol Report
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#Listrak\DateStampLong#
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The latest news from the State Capitol
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Please do not reply directly to this email, as it returns to an unmanned account.
You are welcome to contact me through this link.
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Around the 139th
Over the weekend, Senator Lisa Baker and I celebrated with First Presbyterian Church of Hawley for their 175th anniversary. In addition to the wonderful sermon, led by Rev. Mark Juengel and assisted by Rev. William Samford and Dr./Rev. Joanne Weiss, the vocal and bell choir performances were truly uplifting and inspiring. Congratulations on such a monumental anniversary!
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Modified Veteran Assistance Hours for October
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New Law to Boost Reporting of Data Breaches
The Office of Attorney General has launched an online portal to streamline the process for companies and other entities required to report data breaches under a new state law adopted earlier this year.
Act 33 of 2024, which takes effect later this month, requires reporting of data breaches impacting more than 500 Pennsylvanians. The companies must also provide impacted individuals with 12 months of free credit monitoring and access to a free credit report, if the breach involves the person’s name and Social Security number, bank account number, or driver’s license or state ID number.
The portal is available here.
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Cleaning Up Regulations that No Longer Serve the Public Interest
At the direction of House Republicans and various standing House committees, the Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC) recently completed a two-year-long review that found numerous regulations no longer in the public interest.
This is great news for the Commonwealth, as overregulation hinders economic growth, impedes our ability to govern ourselves and sometimes confuses the public. Streamlining government and reducing the size and scope of our administrative state has long been, and continues to be, a focus of House Republicans.
The report and orders issued by IRRC last week are another successful step in holding government accountable to itself and, most importantly, the people of Pennsylvania. Click here to learn more.
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Treasury’s Transparency Portal Reveals County-Level Data
The Pennsylvania Treasury Department’s award-winning Transparency Portal now includes details about how residents of every county across the state are taking advantage of the PA 529 College and Career Savings Program, the PA ABLE Savings Program for people with disabilities, and Keystone Scholars, which provides a $100 jumpstart for education savings for every baby born in Pennsylvania.
The county-level data feature also shows how much of the $4.5 billion in unclaimed property in Treasury’s care is available to claim in each county.
Pennsylvanians can explore all the portal’s features to dive deep into the state budget, state contracts and more.
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PA March for Life Monday
Pro-life advocates from across the Commonwealth are gathering at the state Capitol today for the Pennsylvania March for Life. The event kicks off at 10 a.m. with a pre-rally concert, followed by the rally at 11 a.m. and the march at noon.
Rally speakers will include Toni McFadden, author and founder of Relationships Matter; Dr. Barry Whitworth, executive director, Baptist Resource Network; Michael Geer, president, Pennsylvania Family Institute; state Sen. Cris Dush; state Rep. Marla Brown; Jeanne Mancini, president, March for Life; Dr. Eric Hussar, PA state director, American Academy of Medical Ethics; Wendy Burpee, executive director, Genesis Women’s Clinics; Mark Houck, president, The King’s Men; and Archbishop Nelson Perez, Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
For more information about the event, visit www.MarchforLife.org/Pennsylvania.
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Keeping Kids Safe in the Car
Car crashes are a leading cause of death for children. Every day in 2022, on average, three children under age 13 were killed and 429 were injured in cars, SUVs, pickups and vans, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Also in 2022, 39% of children killed in car crashes were unrestrained.
As Child Passenger Safety Week draws to a close on Saturday, parents and caregivers are reminded of the importance of properly restraining children in vehicles.
The Commonwealth’s primary seat belt law requires all vehicle occupants younger than 18 to wear a seat belt when riding anywhere in a vehicle. Children up to the age of 2 must be secured in a rear-facing car seat, and children under the age of 4 must be restrained in an approved child safety seat. Children must ride in a booster seat until their eighth birthday. Parents are also reminded that due to potential dangers associated with air bag deployment, children 12 and younger should always ride buckled in a vehicle’s back seat.
Selecting the appropriate car seat for your child’s age and size is vital to its effectiveness. For tips on selecting a car seat, click here.
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September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
Suicide claims the lives of over 2,000 Pennsylvanians each year. That’s an average of five lives lost EACH DAY.
Nationwide, suicide is the 10th leading cause of death, with one suicide occurring every 11.1 minutes. There are more than 1 million suicide attempts each year. This tragedy affects ALL ages, races, genders, sexuality, denominations, incomes and educational levels. It can affect anyone and everyone.
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, a time to remember and honor those lost to suicide, as well as support suicide attempt survivors and all who experience suicidal ideation, mental health challenges and crisis every day.
It is important to remember help is available. Just dial 988 to connect with the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
To learn more about suicide risks and how to help someone in crisis, visit www.preventsuicidepa.org.
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