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In this Update:
Bridge Dedicated to Corporal John F. Muffler
Yesterday, the Pennsylvania Route 413 bridge over U.S. Route 1 in Middletown Township was dedicated to Corporal John F. Muffler in honor of a Langhorne Manor resident and Neshaminy graduate, who tragically lost his life on October 23, 1983, at the age of 19, in the devastating Beirut barracks bombing. Rep. Joe Hogan and I introduced legislation to formally dedicate this bridge to Corporal John F. Muffler. Earlier this summer, the language was included in an omnibus package of dedications, now Act No. 63 of 2024. Family members, veterans, local dignitaries, and many community members gathered at Wood Services, with a view of the bridge, to honor Muffler’s sacrifice. The ceremony began with a presentation of colors by 3rd Battalion 14th Marine Color Guard, followed by a welcoming by myself, Rep. Hogan, veteran advocate Ed Preston, and close friend and classmate of Muffler, Vince Muscato. Corporal John F. Muffler was a 1981 graduate of Langhorne-Neshaminy High School. He was a dedicated drummer in the high school band. John enlisted in the United States Marine Corps right out of high school. His adventurous spirit led him to choose a path that would take him to Okinawa, Japan, Korea, and ultimately, Beirut. On October 23, 1983, the suicide bombing attack on the U.S. Marine Corps barracks in Beirut claimed the lives of 241 American servicemen and wounded hundreds more. John was among the fallen, a victim of the horrific violence that shook the world. It was the deadliest single-day attack against U.S. Marines since the battle of Iwo Jima in 1945. John’s sister and mother spoke during the ceremony. Rep. Hogan read a letter from John’s brother, who was viewing the ceremony online. Many spoke so many kind words about John and one thing that was certain was John knew how to make people smile and laugh. Corporal Muffler lived a stone’s throw away from this bridge and I am honored that I had a part in ensuring his legacy will live on forever right here in his community. View bridge dedication ceremony here Thank You to All That Attended My Senior Expo
I want to thank all who attended my annual Senior Expo last Thursday at Northampton Valley Country Club in Richboro. It was a great turnout and I was happy to speak to so many constituents. I wanted to also thank the many exhibitors who participated and provided valuable information on the services they provide. If you were unable to make the expo and need assistance, please call our office at 215-638-1784. My Legislation to Combat Illegal Street Racing Signed into Law
Earlier this week, State Reps. KC Tomlinson and Joe Hogan’s legislation to combat illegal street racing was signed into law by Governor Shapiro. Act 103 of 2024 will update the penalties that exist for street racing, by increasing the fine from $250 up to $2,000 per violation and taking the driver’s vehicle away on any second or supplementary violations. I introduced the companion bill to this legislation in the Senate to address this growing problem of street racing in our cities and our suburbs. I want to thank Reps. Tomlinson and Hogan for their efforts in getting this passed so we can provide our law enforcement the proper tools they need to address this problem swiftly and efficiently. As part of this new law, the organizer of these events will now be held accountable with penalties as well, and I think that is crucial in reducing the number of these incidents and keeping our communities safe. Legislation to Combat AI-Generated Deepfake Images of Minors in PA Set for Enactment
Legislation to combat “deepfake” images of minors and child sexual abuse materials generated by artificial intelligence (AI) received final legislative approval and is set for enactment into law. Senate Bill 1213 addresses the alarming rise in AI-generated deepfake sexual images of children and non-consenting adults. Currently, Pennsylvania law makes it illegal to share intimate images without consent but does not clearly address the use of AI deepfake technology for this purpose. This gap in our law leaves many vulnerable to a new form of digital abuse. The bill also prohibits AI from being utilized to generate child sexual abuse material, previously referred to as “child pornography,” which is not currently prohibited under law. In August, police in Lancaster County launched an investigation into a case of artificially generated nude photos that use the faces of more than 20 female teenage students. The district attorney said that in some cases charges can’t be filed because the images don’t involve actual children. Senate Bill 1213 would close that loophole. Senate Committee Votes to be Prepared for Natural Disasters
As hurricanes Helene and Milton remind us of the importance of being prepared to respond to natural disasters and other emergencies, the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee advanced three bills to support Pennsylvania’s emergency responders. All three bills now advance to the full Senate for consideration. House Bill 843 would establish a second urban search and rescue team in western Pennsylvania. Funding for the team was included in this year’s state budget. The bridge collapse and East Palestine train derailment demonstrated the need for emergency response in minutes, not hours. House Bill 1304 would update the language in the 911 Law to increase penalties for misuse of the 911 system and ensure communications service providers report service outages as specified by the Federal Communications Commission or Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission. House Bill 2407 would update the state Fire and EMS Grant Program by enabling fire and EMS companies to use grants for preventative health measures, mental health awareness and treatment. The legislation also would allow testing after each of the four training modules that total 188 hours for the Firefighter 1 certification, as opposed to requiring firefighters to pass a cumulative test covering all modules as is currently the case. Finally, the bill would increase the thresholds that fire and EMS companies can borrow from the low-interest Fire and EMS Loan Program. Bill to Improve Elevator Safety Standards Passes Senate
The Senate unanimously passed legislation to improve elevator safety standards in Pennsylvania. The bill now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration. Following the deaths of a correctional officer and an inmate who plunged down an elevator shaft in a violent confrontation, the Elevator Safety Board was established to address critical issues surrounding elevator construction, maintenance and inspection. The American Society of Mechanical Engineers has revised the national elevator code seven times since 2002, yet Pennsylvania still adheres to outdated standards that don’t reflect current safety practices. The board submitted its recommendations to update these codes to the Department of Labor and Industry in 2020, but the agency has not acted. Senate Bill 1230 requires the Department of Labor and Industry to adopt an updated safety code, effective July 1, 2025. Prior to adoption, the Elevator Safety Board may recommend modifications based upon its professional expertise and industry experience. The legislation would establish timely benchmarks, making sure necessary upgrades will not be delayed further. What Do You Think of PennDOT’s Construction and Maintenance Services?
Motorists have until Tuesday, Oct. 22, to provide feedback regarding PennDOT’s construction and maintenance services via an online survey. The survey asks respondents how they receive PennDOT roadway information and how often PennDOT meets or exceeds expectations regarding construction and maintenance services. Respondents are also asked about experiences with reporting concerns to their department, and whether or how they use the state’s 511PA traveler information services. Prepare Now for the Nov. 5 Election
Election Day on Nov. 5 is approaching. Make sure you’re able to participate by registering to vote no later than Oct. 21. If you’ve moved, this is also a great time to double check that you’re registered to vote at your current address. Anyone who wishes to vote by mail must apply by Oct. 29. You must be a registered voter to submit an application to vote by mail. If you are looking for a way to help your community, learn more about becoming a poll worker here. Thousands of Pennsylvanians are needed to run elections, and poll workers are needed in all 67 counties. Medication Take Back Day is Saturday, October 26
Medication Take Back Day is Saturday, October 26, 2024 from 10 am – 2 pm! This year’s Take Back event will feature 46 public collection sites throughout the county. Simply walk or drive up and drop in any unused, unneeded or expired medications for safe disposal. In addition to prescription medications, law enforcement officers will be collecting over the counter and pet medications, vitamins, vaping products and more. Click here to view site locations.
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