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In this Update:
My Bill to Improve Student Vision Exams Passed by Senate Education Committee
Untreated visual impairment in children has proven to be a factor in behavioral development, academic success and issues with self-esteem and confidence. My bill to strengthen the effectiveness of eye health exams in Pennsylvania schools was passed by the Senate Education Committee this week. Senate Bill 720 would require a comprehensive eye health exam performed by an ophthalmologist or optometrist before a child is admitted to school for the first time, in the hopes of catching vision problems early, or when a child receives an Individualized Education Program (IEP), to ensure unknown vision problems are not the cause of their learning challenges. Current school vision screenings, which are performed by a nurse, teacher or medical technician, are less comprehensive than a full eye examination and can miss serious vision problems. Recent studies have shown eye examinations carried out by licensed eye care professionals like ophthalmologists and optometrists do a better job of detecting vision problems, ensuring better treatment and health outcomes. Senate Bill 720 now advances to the full Senate for consideration. Identifying Children Victims of Human Trafficking
Legislation I sponsored with Wayne Langerholc, Jr. (R-35) to better identify delinquent children as victims of human trafficking has been approved by the Senate Aging and Youth Committee. Senate Bill 1369 would require the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, in consultation with the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, the Pennsylvania State Police, and county children and youth agencies, to develop a screening process to determine if a delinquent child is a victim of human trafficking or may be at risk of becoming a victim of human trafficking. The bill now heads to the full Senate for consideration. Senate Banking and Insurance Committee Approves Bills to Protect Consumers and Reduce Costs for Pennsylvanians
As Chair of the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee, we unanimously approved several bills this week focused on protecting consumers and reducing costs for Pennsylvanians. With affordability continuing to be a major concern, House Bill 1541 would help reduce construction costs by preventing contractors from being held liable for another party’s negligence. Senate Resolution 332 would direct the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to review state insurance mandates enacted over the past 15 years and determine their potential cost to the Commonwealth, especially as Medicaid costs continue to rise. House Bill 1972 would better protect consumers by modernizing oversight of public adjusters and placing limits on the compensation they may receive from a claim. These measures are important steps toward improving affordability, accountability and consumer protection in Pennsylvania. Trinity Wagner, Job Shadows for a Day
Trinity Wagner, a senior at Annville-Cleona High School, shadowed me this week. Trinity participated in several meetings, met with many government officials and advocacy groups, and sat in during Senate session. After high school, Trinity wants to pursue a college degree in communications. Wishing her all the best in her future! Bill Targeting Dangerous Fentanyl Additive Passes Senate
The Senate passed legislation to combat the increasing illicit use of the veterinary anesthesia medetomidine by regulating it as a Schedule III controlled substance. Senate Bill 866 provides law enforcement and public health officials with another tool to combat dangerous drug adulterants while including clear exemptions to ensure veterinarians can continue using the medication in the care and treatment of animals. Medetomidine has rapidly overtaken xylazine as a common adulterant in Pennsylvania’s illicit drug supply. While medetomidine was not detected in samples collected in early 2024, it was found in approximately 80% of adulterants sold as fentanyl in Pennsylvania by April 2026. The drug is estimated to be significantly more potent than xylazine and can cause severe cardiovascular complications, even after naloxone has been administered. The General Assembly passed legislation to make xylazine a Schedule III drug in 2024. The bill now advances to the House of Representatives for consideration. Read more about the measure here. PA Guard Military Family Education Program
As students begin preparing for the fall semester, Pennsylvania National Guard members are reminded their families could be eligible for assistance to offset the cost of higher education. The Military Family Education Program is for Guard members who completed an initial service obligation on or after July 1, 2019, and is eligible to reenlist in the PA National Guard for a period of six years. The grants can be used for a degree-granting or certificate-granting curriculum, course of study, or training program required for entrance into a specific career at an approved Pennsylvania institution of higher learning. Read more details and find applications here. Entries Accepted for PA Agriculture Photo Contest
Pennsylvania residents have until June 30 to submit entries in the 2026 Pennsylvania Agriculture Photo Contest. Submit up to four original photos highlighting the people, places, traditions and beauty of agriculture across our region or the commonwealth. Winning photos will be displayed in the Pennsylvania Capitol Complex during the first weeks of September. The categories are On the Farm, PA Fair Season, Agritourism, and Conservation. Click here for rules and how to submit your photos. National Cancer Survivors Month
There are more than 18.6 million people living with a history of cancer in the U.S. Each person diagnosed with cancer faces a unique set of challenges, but one in four survivors reports a poor physical quality of life, and many experience psychosocial challenges. If you are a cancer survivor or caregiver, you can find resources from the National Cancer Institute here that may help you enhance your health and well-being after a cancer diagnosis. They address emotional concerns, nutrition and physical activity, support services, follow-up medical care and testing for cancer. Local Events
Saturday, June 13, 6:30am: Tour de Lebanon Valley Saturday, June 13, 9am-2pm: 37th Historic Old Annville Day Saturday, June 20, 3-6pm: Cleona Celebrates 250 Community Picnic Saturday, June 20-21, 3-10pm: St. Paul’s Summer Bazaar Saturday, June 20, 9am: A Day at the Playground Saturday, June 20, 9am-3pm: Lebanon Valley Craft & Vendor Marketplace Tuesday, June 23, 9am-5pm: Taste of Summer Saturday, June 27, 10am-4pm: Ephrata Cloister 1776: An American 250 Celebration Saturday, July 4, 2-10pm: Berks County Star-Spangled Spectacular Saturday, July 4, 1-9pm: Lebanon 250 Celebration Tuesday, July 7, 12:30-1:15pm: Big Boy Visits Lebanon Station
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