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In this Update:
My Legislation to Protect Seniors from Financial Scams Passed by Senate
The state Department of Aging has been under review by the Pennsylvania auditor general and inspector general over concerns for the well-being of seniors being taken care of by Pennsylvania’s 52 county-based Area Agencies on Aging (AAA). I was pleased that my legislation to better protect seniors from financial scams was among the measures the Senate approved this week that would build on the release of Auditor General Tim DeFoor’s recent audit and implement proper safeguards for older Pennsylvanians. Senate Bill 738 would require financial institutions to report suspected cases of elder financial abuse and empower the institutions to hold suspicious financial transactions. The institution would have to report this transaction to the appropriate AAA. Similar legislation has been passed in more than 20 states and has been used as an effective tool to prevent fraud. The FBI ranked Pennsylvania ninth in total losses to fraud experienced by older adults in 2025. More than 7,000 seniors were defrauded of more than $200 million, representing a 43% jump from 2024. Read more about Senate Bill 738 here. Department of Health Withdraws Overbearing Health Regulations After Public Outcry
Gov. Josh Shapiro’s Department of Health (DOH) withdrew proposed health regulations that would have vastly expanded state government’s power over the lives of Pennsylvanians, a tremendous victory for the grassroots efforts of commonwealth citizens. Shortly before the regulations were withdrawn, more than 10,000 citizens, school officials and others submitted comments to the Independent Regulatory Review Commission expressing their serious concerns. I joined my colleagues in a letter to the commission warning the changes would infringe on our constitutional rights. The proposed regulations would have given the state more power to enter homes and businesses without a warrant, speak to students without parents present, access private health records, unilaterally impose mask mandates and more. The DOH introduced the massive, 502-page regulatory overhaul without input from the public or the General Assembly. Although these regulations were withdrawn, we must remain vigilant – the governor’s DOH could resubmit them at any time. Senate Committee Approves My Legislation to Support Local Clubs and Fire Departments
I was pleased to see my legislation included in a package of bills advanced by the Senate Community, Economic and Recreational Development Committee to provide much-needed relief to Pennsylvanian’s civic organizations, fire companies, veterans’ groups and other nonprofits that rely on small games of chance. Senate Bill 995 would raise the weekly prize limit for small games of chance to $60,000, ensuring local groups can continue generating the revenue they rely on to support vital community programs and services. Under current law, clubs and organizations are limited to awarding no more than $35,000 in prizes from small games of chance each week. That cap has not been updated since 2013. Read more about all the bills approved to support local clubs and fire departments here. Legislation to Ban “Nudification” Apps Passed by Senate
Continuing our work to implement stronger safeguards on artificial intelligence, legislation to ban “nudification” apps – which allow individuals to take an image of someone and generate a fake nude or sexually explicit photo of that person – was approved by the Senate. Senate Bill 1368 prohibits such apps from being developed, operated or made available in Pennsylvania, including through online application marketplaces. These apps serve no legitimate purpose and pose a special risk to children and school students, whose lives can be upended and reputations damaged through the malicious use of this technology. The measure will be sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. Learn more about Senate Bill 1368 here. Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
This week, I had the privilege of meeting the Pulaski family from Lebanon County and their daughter, Devin, who shared her inspiring journey and the support she received from Four Diamonds, Penn State THON and Penn State Health Children’s Hospital. They visited the Capitol to advocate for PSU THON and all the great work they are doing for so many children and families facing childhood cancer across the Commonwealth. In 2026 alone, thousands of Penn State students were able to raise $18.8 million for Four Diamonds families. Learn more about Four Diamonds and Penn State THON here. Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Don’t Miss Your Mammogram!
The American Cancer Society recommends that women at average risk begin annual screening mammograms at age 40. If you have a family history of breast cancer or other risk factors, talk with your healthcare provider about whether earlier or additional screening may be appropriate. To help, we passed Act 1 of 2023 to ensure supplemental breast cancer screening MRIs and ultrasound for individuals at higher risk are covered with no out-of-pocket costs. We also passed Act 52 of 2025 to eliminate all out-of-pocket costs for diagnostic breast imaging, including mammograms, MRIs and ultrasounds needed to evaluate an abnormal finding. Act 52 is currently beginning the implementation process, with full implementation by January 2028. Pennsylvania residents without insurance or limited insurance, like a high-deductible plan, may qualify for no-cost mammograms and follow-up imaging through programs such as the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program. To learn more, contact the PA Breast Cancer Coalition’s Director of Patient Advocacy Dolores Magro at 800-377-8828. When breast cancer is detected at its earliest stages, the 5-year survival rate is 99%. Don’t miss your mammogram. Early detection saves lives! Local Events
Wednesday, September 30- October 4: Reading Liederkranz Oktoberfest Friday, October 2-3, 8am-2pm: Miss Morgan’s Milkweed Antiques & Artisan Show Saturday, October 3, 4-7pm: 3rd Annual Jonestown Fall Fest Saturday, October 3, 10am: A Walk in Penn’s Woods Thursday, October 8, 10am-4pm: Aging Your Way Festival Saturday, October 10, 9am-3pm: 6th Annual MGH Fall Fest Saturday, October 10, 10am-2pm: Blessing of the Animals Service Sunday, October 18, 12-4pm: Living History and Park Walk at Conrad Wieser Homestead Tuesday, October 20, 6-7pm: Trunk or Treat at YMCA Thursday, October 24, 4:30-7:30pm: 6th & Chestnut Fall Block Party
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