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In this Update:
Unveiling Bill to Help Families of First Responders Who Die by Suicide
Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) and I introduced legislation to provide emergency and law enforcement personnel with post-traumatic stress injury (PTSI)-related death benefits. The bill is named for Bryan F. Gray, a Pennsylvania State Trooper and a former Green Beret. Gray died by suicide as a result of his service as a trooper. First responders, like Bryan, selflessly put their lives on the line to serve and protect the people of the commonwealth. We owe these heroes and their families for the sacrifices they routinely make. Our bill would take another step forward in the care of families of fallen first responders. Current law provides death benefits to first responders who perish in the line of duty. It does not extend to those we lose because of PTSI that is caused by their service. “Bryan’s Law is about protecting those who protect us – and the families who stand behind them,” said Emily Chau Gray, Gray’s widow. “When first responders face trauma on the job, they shouldn’t have to bear it alone. And when tragedy happens, their families shouldn’t be left without support. Bryan’s Law ensures that when a first responder dies by suicide due to job-related trauma, like PTSI, their death is treated as a line-of-duty death. Families deserve the same care, recognition and benefits as those whose loved ones are killed in action. This is about compassion, fairness and doing what’s right for the heroes who give everything to keep our communities safe.” Last session, I introduced and championed legislation to extend workers compensation rights to first responders who suffer from PTSI from their job-related duties. It was signed into law as Act 121 of 2024. To watch the full press conference, click the image above. Harrisburg Happenings
During this week’s Senate Judiciary Committee meeting, a number of bills were considered. I voted to help pass Senate Bill 347. This would prohibit the operation of safe injection site, which are clinics or establishments that provide space for people to consume drugs like heroin or fentanyl. Other bills that I helped pass through the committee focused on:
You can review the full details from the meeting by clicking this link.
Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity announced this week that the first Pennsylvania Money Match checks, totaling more than $1.7 million, are now on the way to Pennsylvanians’ mailboxes. Pennsylvania Money Match is a new program that allows Treasury to return certain unclaimed property to rightful owners automatically, which was approved unanimously by the General Assembly and signed by the Governor last year. In January, Pennsylvania Treasury sent due diligence letters to Pennsylvanians indicating that unclaimed property would be automatically returned to them. The first round of the Pennsylvania Money Match program includes 7,380 checks, totaling $1.7 million in returned unclaimed property. Money Match checks will be sent quarterly. The next batch, which will include about 40,000 letters with checks to follow, will go out in May. Pennsylvania Money Match authorizes Treasury to automatically return single-owner properties valued up to $500 after a thorough identification and verification process. At least 14 other states have successfully implemented similar programs. Pennsylvania Money Match does not apply to claims for properties valued above $500 or those that have multiple owners or other complexities. Those claimants will still need to file a claim and provide any required documentation.
It was wonderful having Miss Rain Day visit the Capitol! Bryn Lahew was crowned Miss Rain Day 2024 during the 46th annual scholarship pageant last summer in Waynesburg. Her brother Beau, parents Chay and Michelle, and stepmother Alisha, joined Bryn for a day touring the Capitol, visiting my office to meet my staff, and being recognized on the Senate floor. I also had the pleasure of presenting Bryn with a Senate Citation of Congratulations before session began. You’re an amazing young lady and thank you for your dedication to your community. A big thank you to pageant representatives Jeanine Henry and Stephanie Mitchell for accompanying the Lahew family and for your efforts continuing the wonderful Rain Day tradition. Rain Day’s history can be traced back to the late 1800s, when a local farmer began keeping a written record of the fact that it always rained on July 29th. Thus in 1979, the first annual Miss Rain Day Pageant was held to celebrate this occurrence. This event has the bragging distinction of being the only pageant in the world where it is considered a success if it rains! You can watch my remarks introducing Miss Rain Day on the Senate floor by clicking the image above.
The 46th Senatorial District has outstanding FFA programs that are filled with exceptional students, supported by dedicated advisors who are part of a robust network of agricultural educators committed to preparing our future leaders. I would like to thank the FFA chapters from Avella, California Area, H.G. Parkinson FFA (Fort Cherry), McGuffey, and Waynesburg FFA for visiting Harrisburg this week to tour the State Capitol Complex and for stopping by my office to meet with my staff! This year their Legislative Day at the Capitol coincided with a joint session day. As part of their State Legislative Conference, they met with with public officials and observed the legislative process. A special shoutout to the dedicated advisors for leading these wonderful agricultural programs, Kara Ruffalo, Avella; Sara Rastoka, California; Jodie Hoover, Fort Cherry; Renee Cambruzzi and John Leasure, McGuffey; Jamie Willson, Waynesburg.
I would like to thank these three young ladies representing PennPIRG Students for visiting with me this week in Harrisburg. They were eager to share their work on a range of issues such as sustainable fashion practices, affordable textbooks, and clean energy solutions. Pictured with me from left to right is Vivian Greenwood, Lauren Troy, and Jeanette Nawn. Senate Committee Votes to Preserve Women’s Sports
This week, the Senate Education Committee passed legislation to preserve integrity and fairness in women’s sports, progress that was hard fought decades ago with the creation of Title IX. The bill now moves to the full Senate for consideration. Senate Bill 9, known as the Save Women’s Sports Act, would require public schools and colleges to label sports teams as male, female or coed. It would only permit biological females to join teams designated for women. Notably, Senate Bill 9 would allow students to take legal action if they are harmed by violations of this rule. Female students who compete in high school and college sports deserve a level playing field. This bill would protect this opportunity for them, allowing fair and equal access to the personal enrichment, character development and fitness sports provide. Bill to Improve School Bus Safety Receives Senate Committee Support
The Senate Transportation Committee this week voted to advance legislation to better protect children by strengthening school bus safety laws. It now moves to the full Senate for consideration. Senate Bill 65 would increase the required stopping distance for opposing drivers from 10 feet to 15 feet, creating a greater buffer for children entering and exiting the bus. It also strengthens penalties for all offenders via a tiered penalty system. Penalties may include increased fines and mandatory driver education. Drivers who fail to prepare to stop when a school bus activates its flashing amber lights would also be subject to penalties. Each year, the Department of Transportation conducts a school bus education and enforcement program. The most recent program, conducted in October 2024, found police officers and bus drivers in 22 school districts reporting 131 violations in a single day. Youth Invited to Go Fishing on Saturday
Pennsylvania’s Mentored Youth Trout Day gives young people early access to the state’s stocked trout waters. This year, it will be held on Saturday, March 29, from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Youth anglers need a free Mentored Youth Permit or a Voluntary Youth Fishing License, which can be purchased for $2.97, from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. Both are available online or at licensing agents across the state. To participate, youth anglers must be accompanied by a licensed adult angler, which are anglers 16 years of age and older. Adult anglers need a valid Pennsylvania Fishing License and a current Trout Permit. Youth with a license or permit can take a total of two trout (combined species) with a minimum length of seven inches. Adult anglers may not possess trout. March 29 is Vietnam War Veterans Day
Nine million Americans served during the Vietnam War era and 58,000 gave their lives. Sadly, because many people didn’t view the war favorably, Vietnam War veterans received a cold reception when they returned to American soil. Some were even deeply mistreated. March 29 marks the day in 1973 when the last United States troops left Vietnam. That same day, 591 American prisoners were released and returned to the United States. Let us recognize those who fought valiantly for our freedoms. We are grateful for their courage and sacrifices.
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