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In this Update:
Gebhard Bill Benefitting Fort Indiantown Gap Police Officers Passes Committee
The Senate Law and Justice Committee passed my legislation to allow Fort Indiantown Gap police officers to be Act 120 certified under the Municipal Police Officers’ Education and Training Commission (MPOETC). Currently, police officers at Fort Indiantown Gap complete all the same certification requirements but are never assigned numbers by MPOETC. This can prevent them from being able to transfer to another police department without retaking the exam. At a time when police officers are desperately needed, my bill would eliminate an unnecessary burden for them. The change would help recruiting efforts at Fort Indiantown Gap and would ensure they are treated like every other municipal police department, school police department and the Capitol Police. Senate Bill 327 is similar to a bill that allowed automatic certification for school police officers. It now moves to the full Senate for consideration. Calling All Firefighters and EMS Workers
I will be joining Rep. Jamie Barton (R-124) to host a Pizza & Policy event for first responders on Tuesday, May 27 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Berks County Encore Strausstown Senior Wellness and Activity Center. Come to grab a bite to eat and tell us about some of the challenges we may be able to help you address in Harrisburg. Please RSVP by calling 484-660-3721. Senate Recognizes Brook Beamesderfer and Aval Immel- Pennsylvania Fair Queens
This week, I joined Sen. Scott Martin (R-13) to recognize the 2025 Pennsylvania Fair Queen, 𝐀𝐯𝐚𝐥 𝐈𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐥 and the 2025 Alternative Pennsylvania Fair Queen, 𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐁𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐞𝐫. Ava, from Lancaster County, is the daughter of Douglas and Angela Immel. She currently is a senior in high school and plans on pursuing a degree in Animal Science. Ava is a member of the STEM club, High School Heroes, cross country, indoor and outdoor track, and is Vice President of her local FFA chapter. Brooke Beamesderfer, from Lebanon County, is the daughter of Justin and Eve Beamesderfer. She is currently a senior in high school and plans on pursuing a degree in Agricultural Business at the University of Alabama. Brook has participated in her FFA, National Honor Society, volunteer club, entrepreneurship club, and varsity soccer and softball. Congratulations to both and I wish them continued success in their future pursuits. Increasing the Effectiveness of Student Vision Examinations
I recently introduced Senate Bill 720, which would require eye health examinations by a Licensed Eye Care Professional, like Optometrists and Ophthalmologists, during a child’s development. This week, I was able to meet with Dr. Robert Owens and Dr. Perry Umlauf from the district during PA Optometric Advocacy Day to further discuss this issue. Untreated visual impairment in children has shown to be a factor in behavioral development, academic success and issues with self-esteem and confidence. Identifying those students who have vision related deficiencies early on will make a significant impact on their overall quality of life. I look forward to the passage of this important legislation. Cornwall-Lebanon Students and Lebanon Family Health Services Advocate at Capitol
This week I had the opportunity to meet with Vicki DeLoatch from Lebanon Family Health Services, Teresa Detwiler from Berks Council on Chemical Abuse, and some students from Cornwall-Lebanon School District who shared some insight on the concerning rise of teen vaping and nicotine addiction. They were advocating to prioritize education and support over punishment and how programs such as IN-DEPTH and NOT are helping teens quit. Senate Votes for the Save Women’s Sports Act
With a bipartisan vote, the Senate passed legislation to protect athletic opportunity, competitive fairness and safety for female athletes across Pennsylvania. The Save Women’s Sports Act would ensure athletic teams designated for girls and women are reserved for biological females in K-12 and collegiate sports across the commonwealth. Senate Bill 9 would reinforce the original intent of Title IX by ensuring female athletes are not denied scholarships, placements or opportunities due to unfair competition from biological males. It is now headed to the House of Representatives for consideration. PASS Scholarships to Help Students in Failing Schools Receive Senate Support
To expand education access and reform outcomes in Pennsylvania’s most challenged schools, the Senate Education Committee this week advanced bipartisan scholarship legislation. The bill, also known as the Pennsylvania Award for Student Success (PASS) scholarship program, now heads to the full Senate for consideration. Senate Bill 10 would establish scholarship accounts for eligible students, allowing them to pursue educational opportunities outside of their assigned public school. The program would be administered by the Pennsylvania State Treasury and funded through appropriations, grants, donations or other contributions from public and private sources. Eligible students must live within the attendance boundary of a school that ranks in the bottom 15% statewide based on academic performance and come from households earning less than 250% of the federal poverty level. Funds in a student’s PASS account could be used for tuition, school-related fees or special education services at a nonpublic school. Learn more about scholarship amounts, which vary from $2,500 to $15,000 based on the student’s grade level. Bill Strengthening PA’s Sexual Offender Registry Approved by Senate
The Senate unanimously approved legislation this week to better protect children in Pennsylvania against sexual predators. Senate Bill 255 would require a sports official, volunteer or employee of a nonprofit association who is convicted of sexual assault to register as a sexual offender under the Sexual Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA). Under current law, a conviction for this offense does not require registration as a sex offender. Closing this loophole will strengthen SORNA and ensure potentially violent sex offenders can be properly monitored. The bill, which now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration, is part of a larger Senate Republican priority of making commonwealth communities safer. PA Treasury Continues Working to Return Money to the People
More than 40,000 Pennsylvanians may soon find a check in their mailbox for money they didn’t know they had, thanks to legislation passed by Senate Republicans. PA Money Match is a new law that allows Treasury to automatically return certain unclaimed property. The program includes properties valued at $500 or less that belong to a single owner. Those with eligible properties will receive a letter in the mail to confirm their address. About 45 days later, they’ll receive a check for their property. PA Treasurer Stacy Garrity is working to return more than $4.5 billion in unclaimed property, which includes dormant bank accounts, uncashed checks, rebates and insurance payments. The average claim is worth more than $1,000. Because PA Money Match will not automatically return properties exceeding $500 or those that may have more than one owner, you are still encouraged to regularly use Treasury’s website to check if you have unclaimed property. Happy Mother’s Day!
Mothers are the backbone of our communities. Whether they sat in the stands cheering us on at our games, brought cupcakes to every PTA bake sale or roughed it in the woods with our scout troop, they put action to their love. On Mother’s Day, we recognize the special women who love and care for us at all stages of our lives. Their support sets us up to be happy, healthy members of society. Local Events
Saturday, May 10, 10am-1pm: Lebanon County Mental Health Awareness Festival Saturday, May 10, 10am-2pm: World Migratory Bird Day Saturday, May 10, 11am: TruckTrek Central PA Food Truck & Arts Fest Saturday, May 10, 9am: South Lebanon Fire Department Spring Craft Show Saturday, May 20, 8am-2pm: Hamburg Public Library Book Sale Saturday, May 10, 9:30am-11:30am: Girls on the Run Berks 5k
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