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In this Update:

• Lifesaving Bill to Eliminate Cost Barriers to Breast Cancer Diagnosis Approved by Senate
• Bill to Expand Body Camera Use for Law Enforcement Passes Senate
• Senate Targets PA Opioid Crisis with Expanded Reporting Tool
• Local Scouts Present Annual Report to the Commonwealth
• Measure to Prevent Eminent Domain Abuse Approved by Senate
• Liberty Tree Planted in Wyoming County
• School Bus Safety Grant Program Applications Accepted
• 100 Years of Memories at the Irem Shrine Pavilion
• Celebrating Great Outdoors Month

Lifesaving Bill to Eliminate Cost Barriers to Breast Cancer Diagnosis Approved by Senate

Patients who receive abnormal results from supplemental breast cancer screenings will be able to access the necessary follow-up diagnostic imaging at no cost under bipartisan legislation passed by the Senate. This ensures critical continuum of care.

Senate Bill 88 builds on the success of Act 1 of 2023, which provided no-cost preventive screenings for individuals at high risk. Senate Bill 88 takes the next step with no-cost follow-up diagnostic imaging and expands eligibility to include individuals at average risk.

While 26 other states have followed Pennsylvania’s lead in offering no-cost supplemental breast screening since the passage of Act 1, Pennsylvania remains the only state without guaranteed coverage for diagnostic imaging. The bill now goes to the House of Representatives.

Bill to Expand Body Camera Use for Law Enforcement Passes Senate

Legislation I introduced to expand the use of body-worn cameras to additional law enforcement personnel has passed the Senate.

Senate Bill 520 authorizes the use of body cameras by special agents with the Office of Attorney General, rangers with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, and officers and deputies with the Pennsylvania Game and the Fish and Boat commissions.

This is a commonsense, bipartisan bill that strengthens both officer safety and public trust. These officers often serve in remote or dangerous environments. Equipping them with body cameras helps protect their safety and provides an objective record of their interactions with the public.

As body camera technology has evolved, so too must our laws. This bill provides the clarity and coverage necessary to expand this valuable tool to the officials who need it most. When there are misunderstandings or disputes, body camera footage can help prevent situations from escalating into harm or tragedy.

Senate Targets PA Opioid Crisis with Expanded Reporting Tool

The Senate voted to incorporate overdose reporting by EMS providers into the statewide Overdose Information Network to make sure first responders, treatment providers and other key parties have the information they need to save lives.

Senate Bill 89 would require the Pennsylvania Department of Health to coordinate with the Pennsylvania State Police to ensure real-time overdose reporting by EMS providers is incorporated into the statewide mapping system. The bill was also approved by the House of Representatives and will be sent to the governor for his signature.

EMS providers would report information including the date and time of the overdose, location, substances used by the victim and more. In other action to prevent opioid deaths, Senate Republicans led passage of a measure giving EMS personnel permanent authority to leave behind a dose of lifesaving naloxone at non-fatal overdose scenes.

Local Scouts Present Annual Report to the Commonwealth

Fairmount Township residents Trevor Dietz, and his dad Walter, represented Troop 17 Columbia Montour Council in providing an update on Scouting activities in Pennsylvania and presenting the annual “Scouting Report to the Commonwealth” to the governor and members of the legislature. Scouting America Day is designated to celebrate the organization’s history, its impact on youth, and its continued commitment to developing future leaders.

Measure to Prevent Eminent Domain Abuse Approved by Senate

Legislation to protect property owners against eminent domain abuse and ensure they are fully compensated when their property is taken by government was approved by the Senate.

Senate Bill 225 would ensure business owners and farmers whose properties are seized through eminent domain are compensated for loss of “goodwill,” which goes beyond the assessed value.

For farms, the land may possess characteristics that make it particularly special, such as fertile soil. In the case of another business, goodwill may be because of location, access to utilities and other factors. 

Farmers, employers and homeowners testified before a Senate committee last year about eminent domain abuse. The bill now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Liberty Tree Planted in Wyoming County

As we gear up to celebrate our nation’s 250^th anniversary next year, America250PA and the Pennsylvania Freemasons are making their way across the state planting Liberty Trees in each of our 67 counties in honor of the Sons of Liberty and the American Revolution. I was delighted to meet up with the group in Tunkhannock to see the 53^rd sapling placed in Wyoming County.

School Bus Safety Grant Program Applications Accepted

School districts, school bus companies and municipalities have until July 3 to apply for state grants to improve school bus safety and pay for training and other costs associated with attracting much-needed school bus drivers.

Legislation passed by the General Assembly allows school districts to install automated camera systems to enforce the state School Bus Stopping Law and increase safety for school children. A portion of the fines paid by violators are used for the School Bus Safety Grant Program.

Details and the online application are available here.

100 Years of Memories at the Irem Shrine Pavilion

Children enjoyed games, a bounce house, face painting and more as the Irem Shrine hosted a “Family Fun Day” to celebrate the 100^th anniversary of the Irem Pavilion, the largest outdoor covered venue in northeastern Pennsylvania. In addition to serving as a fundraising space to support the Shriners Hospitals for children, many memories have been made at the numerous concerts, reunions, graduations, proms, weddings, and other public events held here. It has truly become an integral part of the Back Mountain community and beyond.

Celebrating Great Outdoors Month

The arrival of summer means plenty of opportunities to get outdoors and enjoy what nature has to offer locally and across our commonwealth.

Pennsylvania is home to cool, green forests, thousands of pristine lakes and streams, hiking trails and state parks. Find plenty of ways to explore the great outdoors of our region and the state here.

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