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In this Update:
Replace your Damaged License Plate for FREE!
Plates that have: lost reflectivity, are peeling, blistering, or are discolored, and/or are unreadable from 50 feet away are eligible for FREE replacement. Stop by one of our upcoming events, including one being held tomorrow in Enola, to have your plate checked and have all necessary paperwork completed. There is no fee for this service. Once processed by PennDOT, replacement plates can be picked up at one of my offices or mailed directly to the applicant(s). Registration for the event is recommended, in case of event updates, but it is not required. Senate Approves Bill to Ensure Sportsmen’s Rights are Protected
Legislation I sponsored to align the Pennsylvania Game Code with the U.S. Constitution passed the state Senate unanimously this week after receiving the same support from the Senate Game and Fisheries Committee last month. Title 34 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statues (Game Code) contains sections indicating it is unlawful to refuse to answer questions from representatives of the Game Commission. This is a violation of the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and Article I Section 9 of the Pennsylvania Constitution, which ensure no person may be “compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself” and “he cannot be compelled to give evidence against himself.” Our Fifth Amendment rights are not surrendered when engaging in recreational or sporting activities. The Pennsylvania Game Code must be amended to prevent any ambiguity on this matter or abuse of power. Senate Bill 518 removes these portions of the statute to ensure sportsmen’s constitutional rights are protected. The measure has been sent 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. PASS Scholarships to Help Students in Failing Schools Receive Senate Support
To expand education access and reform outcomes in Pennsylvania’s most challenged schools, the Senate Education Committee this week advanced bipartisan scholarship legislation. The bill, also known as the Pennsylvania Award for Student Success (PASS) scholarship program, now heads to the full Senate for consideration. Senate Bill 10 would establish scholarship accounts for eligible students, allowing them to pursue educational opportunities outside of their assigned public school. The program would be administered by the Pennsylvania State Treasury and funded through appropriations, grants, donations or other contributions from public and private sources. Eligible students must live within the attendance boundary of a school that ranks in the bottom 15% statewide based on academic performance and come from households earning less than 250% of the federal poverty level. Funds in a student’s PASS account could be used for tuition, school-related fees or special education services at a nonpublic school. Learn more about scholarship amounts, which vary from $2,500 to $15,000 based on the student’s grade level. Bill Strengthening PA’s Sexual Offender Registry Approved by Senate
The Senate unanimously approved legislation this week to better protect children in Pennsylvania against sexual predators. Senate Bill 255 would require a sports official, volunteer or employee of a nonprofit association who is convicted of sexual assault 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. The bill, which now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration, is part of a larger Senate Republican priority of making commonwealth communities safer. 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 the Senate. 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. Student Visitors at the State Capitol
The state Capitol was buzzing this week with young visitors from across the 34th Senate District. I had the pleasure of welcoming students from Iron Forge, Newport, and Winding Creek elementary schools. Engaging with future leaders is one of my favorite parts of the job! Thank you for visiting and learning about your state government. Around the District!
Yesterday, I joined members of the Carlisle Area School District administration and board of directors for a delicious lunch prepared by outgoing seniors of the school’s culinary arts program. Lunch is always delicious when prepared by these talented students! Congratulations to each of them on their exciting future plans. Happy Mother’s Day!
Mothers are the backbone of our families and communities. On Mother’s Day, we celebrate the women who are irreplaceable in the lives of their children. Mothers, we salute you for your selfless giving, hard work and loving perseverance. Thank you for all that you do!
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