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In this Update:

• Felony Murder Sentencing, PA Crime Highlighted at Legislative Hearings
• Empowering Families with Federal Scholarship Tax Credit
• Understanding Digital Threats to Children
• Reporting Suspected Benefits Fraud
• In the District
• Congratulations to our Newest Eagle Scouts!

Felony Murder Sentencing, PA Crime Highlighted at Legislative Hearings

Law enforcement officers and other public officials shared the on-the-ground reality of their efforts to fight crime and how the General Assembly could support their mission during a joint public hearing of the Senate Majority Policy Committee and the House Republican Policy Committee.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday discussed sentencing for felony murder after the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled mandatory life sentences for this crime are unconstitutional. He stated Senate Bill 1400, passed twice by the Senate, would provide an appropriate sentence for felony murder. But the House changed the bill, he said, “and in doing so provides a huge break to convicted murderers.” Sunday said, “Victims deserve better than legislative gamesmanship.”

The committees learned that violent crime is down across the commonwealth, but drug offenses are on the rise, with the Bureau of Narcotics removing 56.5 million doses of fentanyl off the streets of Pennsylvania last year. Read more about the hearing and access video and testimony here.

Empowering Families with Federal Scholarship Tax Credit

Last year, Congress established a new Federal Scholarship Tax Credit to create new learning opportunities for students. I joined a bipartisan group of colleagues this week to announce legislation that would ensure Pennsylvania families can benefit from this new program.

The program would allow taxpayers to earn up to $1,700 in tax credits for contributions to non-profit Scholarship Granting Organizations. These organizations could use the funds to provide scholarships for education-related services at private or public schools, including tuition, fees, academic tutoring, special education services, technology services and classroom supplies.

For students and families to be eligible for scholarships, a state must opt in with either an order signed by its governor or a law passed by the state legislature. If a state does not opt in by Jan. 1, 2027, taxpayers in that state will still be eligible to get the tax credit, but the money will fund scholarships for students in other states.

Our legislation would ensure Pennsylvania students in both public and private schools would have access to these new resources. Learn more about this opportunity for Pennsylvania students and families here.

Understanding Digital Threats to Children

Aug. 17 – Aug. 23 is “Social Media Safety and Parental Awareness Week” in Pennsylvania. This first-of-its-kind designation is designed to help parents, guardians and students better understand potential threats in the digital world, including cyberbullying, sextortion, AI-generated child sexual abuse material, grooming and other dangerous forms of abuse.

Find a Back-to-School Checklist and more tips on social media safety at the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

My legislative colleagues and I have worked to keep kids safe from dangers online. This includes laws criminalizing deepfakes, giving law enforcement tools to combat online abuse, creating the Task Force on Child Protection in the Digital Age and more. The Senate has also passed legislation (pending in the House of Representatives) providing safeguards for AI chatbots, prohibiting “nudification” apps and protecting young people against AI-generated child abuse materials.

Reporting Suspected Benefits Fraud

You can help eliminate fraud in benefits programs such as cash assistance, food stamps, childcare, home energy assistance and medical assistance.

Suspected fraud can be reported to the Office of the State Inspector General. A complaint should be completed only if an individual has been issued benefits that you believe the individual was not entitled to receive.

Report suspected fraud to the State Inspector General here.

In the District

Congratulations to AIA Central PA on another successful India Day! It was wonderful to see so many good friends and celebrate the vibrant Indian culture together. Thanks to everyone who helped organize this year’s festivities. 

We had a great time with the Dauphin and Schuylkill-Carbon County Farm Bureaus at G&A Bixler Farms, an all-organic farm that raises ~65,000 chicks and grows organic grains. The Bixler farm has been organic for 20 years. The tour covered many topics, including the efficiencies that new technology has brought to chicken barns, the benefits and challenges of organic farming and regulatory changes that would improve farmer safety. Thank you to Andy and Mary Bixler, and Dave Marshall, for the invitation!

Congratulations to our Newest Eagle Scouts!

Please congratulate our newest Eagle Scouts: Dylan Ciccocioppo of Perry County and Landon Thoman of Cumberland County! I was pleased to attend both Court of Honor ceremonies, joining their families, friends, and fellow scouts, to celebrate this momentous achievement by presenting each with a Senate citation. Dylan and Landon are outstanding young men with very bright futures ahead.