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In this Update:

• Bill Strengthening PA’s Sexual Offender Registry Approved by Senate
• Senate Votes for the Save Women’s Sports Act
• Pennsylvania Courts Announce New Certification Program for Treatment Courts
• Local Sheriffs Visit Pennsylvania Capitol
• Recognizing the Philadelphia Eagles – Super Bowl LIX Champions
• PA Treasury Continues Working to Return Money to the People
• Happy Mother’s Day!

Bill Strengthening PA’s Sexual Offender Registry Approved by Senate

The Senate unanimously approved a bill I sponsored with Senator Scott Martin that will insure children in Pennsylvania are better protected against sexual predators.  

Senate Bill 255 adds the crime of sexual assault by a sports official, volunteer or employee of a nonprofit association as a Tier II sexual offense, requiring individuals convicted of this offense 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.

Children and families deserve to know that those entrusted with authority in youth sports and nonprofits are being held fully accountable when that trust is violated. This legislation reflects our commitment to closing potentially dangerous gaps in the law and ensuring that sexual predators cannot hide behind a title or a uniform. It is a necessary and overdue measure to strengthen protections for our most vulnerable.

Senate Bill 255 now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.

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.

Pennsylvania Courts Announce New Certification Program for Treatment Courts

Recognizing May as National Treatment Court Month, the Pennsylvania Courts joined with legislators, community partners, treatment court professionals and participants from across the state to celebrate the success of the commonwealth’s treatment court program.

Standing inside the Supreme Court Courtroom, Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice P. Kevin Brobson noted that “treatment courts are built on a simple, yet powerful idea – that we cannot incarcerate our way out of addiction, mental illness or trauma.

Justice Brobson also announced the launch of a certification program for treatment courts statewide – one that will promote effective, evidence-based practices, ensure consistent, high-quality services are available to participants which will in turn, increase positive outcomes.

Across Pennsylvania, treatment court programs offer resources to help eligible participants and court staff to open doors to treatment and rehabilitation as they prepare to return to the community. Each of these courts aim to link participants to employment, housing, treatment, and other support services.

Last month, the Senate approved legislation I sponsored that constitutes a simple, yet important terminology change in our statutes—renaming “problem solving courts” to “treatment courts.” It is a solid first step toward aligning the system with the values we want it to reflect — a system that recognizes people’s potential to change, holds them accountable, and gives them the opportunity to succeed.

Local Sheriffs Visit Pennsylvania Capitol

Susquehanna County Sheriff Lance Benedict, Wayne County Sheriff Christopher Rosler, Chief Deputy Sheriff Danene Van Horn, and Canine Onyx were in town as the Pennsylvania Sheriffs Association convened at the Capitol. Following our discussion on legislative priorities, Rep. Jonathan Fritz and I hosted the group in the Senate and House chambers.

Recognizing the Philadelphia Eagles – Super Bowl LIX Champions

Two Vince Lombardi Trophies were on display as the Senate recognized Super Bowl LIX Champions, the 2025 Philadelphia Eagles. The team defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22. They also brought the trophy back to Pennsylvania in 2018 after defeating the New England Patriots 41-33. Go birds! 

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.

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