View this email in a browser

In this Update:

• “Senator for a Day” with Local High School Students
• 15^th Annual Pink Your Ride for MIA
• Supporting Bensalem Fire Department
• Funding Secured for Specialized Bariatric Ambulance
• Making Our Pennsylvania Waterways Safer
• Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine Day
• New Law Protects Animals from Painful Experimentation

“Senator for a Day” with Local High School Students

Yesterday, I welcomed over 80 high school students from eight different high schools to Neshaminy High School for our fourth annual ‘Senator for a Day’ program. The students had the opportunity to step into the roles of state senators and experience state government and the legislative process firsthand.

Students engaged in structured committees to debate legislation modeled after real bills that have been introduced in the Senate of Pennsylvania. The students then gathered for a mock general session of the Senate where twelve pieces of legislation moved out of committee and were considered by the full group of senators.

It was a hands-on learning experience for these students to get a sense of the legislative process and engage civically. It was great to see the students really immersed in the issues, developing their own positions, and actively engaging in debates with their peers to come up with a solution together.

15th Annual Pink Your Ride for MIA

I was proud to join Bucks County H.O.G. and Stars & Stripes Harley-Davidson for another incredible Pink Your Ride this past weekend.

A huge thank you to sisters Jaclyn and Therese Bingert and to Margie Zimmerman for their dedication to this meaningful cause. This special ride honors Mia’s memory, supports St. Mary Medical Center, and raises awareness for breast cancer.

Kristen’s breast cancer journey may be behind us, but our advocacy continues to grow stronger. My legislation eliminating out-of-pocket costs for diagnostic breast cancer testing is now law, and I will continue to raise awareness because we know first-hand that early detection saves lives.

Supporting Bensalem Fire Department

Rep. Tomlinson and I were proud to secure $175,000 for Bensalem Township Fire Rescue Department for new rescue tools that will help protect our community. The upgraded battery-operated equipment will replace outdated tools and will allow their dedicated firefighters to operate at emergencies faster and more effectively.

Thank you to the dedicated men and women of Bensalem Fire Rescue for their commitment to keeping our community safe. I’m pleased to bring this funding to Bensalem to support their lifesaving work while easing the burden on local taxpayers.

Bensalem Fire Rescue also has smoke detectors available for community members who need them. I was proud to help secure these smoke detectors through Kidde to support fire safety in our community. To schedule a free smoke detector installation, contact Bensalem Fire Rescue at 215-633-3617.

Funding for Specialized Regional EMS Vehicle

I was proud to help secure funding alongside Reps. Hogan and Munroe for a specialized bariatric ambulance to safely and respectfully transport patients with severe obesity throughout Bucks County.

Current EMS vehicles lack the equipment needed to safely accommodate these patients, increasing the risk of injury to both patients and EMS personnel. forcing providers to rely on unsafe, improvised methods that jeopardize patient dignity and increase injury risk for both patients and EMS personnel. The until will improve patient care, reduce provider injury, and ensure transport with dignity. The vehicle will be housed at Penndel-Middletown EMS and will serve communities throughout the region.  

Making Our Pennsylvania Waterways Safer

Earlier this week, the Senate unanimously passed legislation I was proud to champion, sponsored by Rep. Mihalek in honor of Jon Gentile, a beloved teacher and outdoor enthusiast who tragically lost his life in 2022 from the dangers created by low head dams on the Delaware River.

Tragically, Jon passed away on May 24, 2022, doing what he loved. He was kayaking with his father—my friend, Jim Gentile—along the Delaware River near New Hope when he was overturned by rapids created by a low head dam or also known as run‑of‑the‑river dams.

It was an honor to welcome Jon’s family to the Senate floor. I commend Jon’s family for turning their grief into purpose, and for ensuring that Jon’s legacy is one of greater safety, awareness, and care for all who cherish and enjoy Pennsylvania’s rivers and streams.

House Bill 961 requires owners of the run-of-the-river dams to receive notice outlining safe marking practices to warn the public of the hazards these dams pose. It now heads to the Governor’s desk.

Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine Day

It was great to welcome members of Association for Professional Acupuncture in Pennsylvania to the Senate floor to recognize October 24th as “Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine Day” in Pennsylvania and bring awareness to the meaningful role acupuncture and herbal medicine continues to play in producing healthier outcomes for so many. Thank you to Suzanne, Laura and Beata for joining us today and we appreciate all you do.

New Law Protects Animals from Painful Experimentation

Legislation to protect dogs and cats from painful, taxpayer-funded experiments has been approved by the General Assembly and signed into law.

The protections in Senate Bill 381, the Beagle Bill, would make Pennsylvania the 18th state to grant dogs and cats an opportunity to be adopted into a loving home after experiments are over, prohibit the sale of cosmetics that have been newly tested on animals, prevent the expenditure of commonwealth funds on painful experiments and more.

Read more about protecting animals and increasing transparency through the Beagle Bill.