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Dear Friends, With these chilly temperatures, it might be hard to imagine spring is just around the corner. However, the May 7th Real ID deadline is quickly approaching. Real ID is the new federally mandated driver’s license. While issued by PennDOT, it meets specific federal security standards. For information on how to get your Real ID, please visit here. My office is here to assist you with this process. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you need any help. Sincerely,
In this Update:
Poll Question
Last week we asked the question of “Do you believe the current rapid advancement of technology will ultimately benefit or harm the future of agriculture?” Results are below. Benefit: 44.26% See how technology is transforming agriculture firsthand. Watch my hearing with State Ag Secretary Redding at our Farm Show Town Hall here. Take this week’s survey here. Re-Appointed to Chair Senate Communications & Technology Committee
I am honored to have been reappointed Chair of the Pennsylvania Senate Communications and Technology Committee for the 2025-2026 legislative session. Building on our past successes, I will continue to champion tech innovation, prioritize cybersecurity and data privacy, and explore the responsible development of Artificial Intelligence. I am also privileged to serve on the Aging and Youth, Appropriations, Finance, Judiciary, and Law and Justice Committees, as well as serve as Vice Chair of the Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee. Read more here. New Law Provides No-Cost Breast Cancer Screenings for Insured Pennsylvanians
As of January 1, Act 1 of 2023 – a comprehensive, first-in-the-nation, no-cost breast cancer screening and genetic testing law – is now in full effect for individuals with increased risk factors who are insured under Pennsylvania law. The legislation, introduced by Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward and signed into law by Governor Josh Shapiro in May of 2023, now provides coverage for all state-regulated insurance plans including large group, small group and individual plans such as Pennie. The law provides coverage for the following at no cost:
At this time, individuals at an increased risk of developing breast cancer with state-regulated insurance plans should be covered under Act 1. Need a breast MRI? The PA Breast Cancer Coalition has compiled various resources you may find helpful including a checklist of steps to take BEFORE getting your breast MRI, billing codes that may be covered under Act 1, videos, questions for your insurer and more. Scam Jam – January 23
Join me, PA Banking and Securities, PA State Police, Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, and AARP Pennsylvania Office for a Scam Jam event at Frederick Living on January 23 at 9:30 AM. Learn how to identify and avoid scams. This event is a great opportunity to get informed and protect yourself from financial fraud. Register now to save your spot here. DEP Encourages Radon Testing During Action Month
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is encouraging Pennsylvania residents to test their homes for radon during Radon Action Month, bringing public awareness for this serious health hazard. Radon is responsible for an estimated 21,000 lung cancer deaths every year in the U.S., according to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and about 40 percent of Pennsylvania homes have radon levels above the EPA action level of 4.0 pCi/L (picocuries per liter). While radon problems may be more common in some regions, there is potential for any home to have high radon levels. Pennsylvania is particularly prone to elevated radon levels, and the only way homeowners can know for certain if they have a radon problem is to test their home. DEP recommends that all homes, schools, public and private buildings get tested. The best time to test is during the colder months, when homes and buildings are closed, and radon is most likely to be trapped and build up to higher levels. Radon test kits are also available at many home improvement and hardware stores, as well as from Pennsylvania-certified radon laboratories. Radon test kits typically cost approximately $20-$30. Completed test kits are sent to a Pennsylvania-certified lab where the sample is analyzed, and the results are sent to the home or building owner. Homeowners are also able to hire a state-certified radon testing company to do the testing for them. The public is encouraged to call DEP’s Radon Division at 717-783-3594, or the Radon Hotline at 800-237-2366, for help with interpretation of their test results and what follow-up action may be necessary. Read more here. REAL ID to be In Effect on May 7
Beginning May 7, Pennsylvanians will need a REAL ID-compliant license/identification card or other federally acceptable identification (such as a valid passport or military ID) to board domestic commercial flights or enter a military installation or federal facility that requires ID. To get a REAL ID, you must bring your documents to a driver licensing center for verification in person. Learn about the specific items that are required to be issued a REAL ID. The website also offers the option to pre-verify online if your documents are already on file with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. REAL ID is optional. It is not required to drive, vote, access hospitals, visit the post office, access federal courts or apply for or receive federal benefits. PennDOT Contest for Students to Improve Roadway Safety
Students are invited to participate in the Innovations Challenge to help the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) increase awareness for seatbelt safety and improve driver behavior for the benefit of our roads. The challenge, which has an award of $6,000 for the winning team, encourages ninth- through twelfth-grade students to use their problem-solving, creative and strategic-thinking abilities to resolve real-world transportation challenges. Regional winners will be invited to present their solutions to the PennDOT secretary and a panel of judges, who will determine the statewide cash prize winner. The submission deadline is Jan. 31. Free Winter Activities at State Parks
Staff at Pennsylvania state parks and forests host free events throughout the year for people of all ages. During winter, snow walks, bird watching, night owl hikes and more are among the activities available. The event listing can be sorted by in-person or virtual events. It can also be filtered by region and date. To make it even more convenient, a personalized list of events can be emailed to you weekly if you build an event digest email to your liking. The email can be customized for your event preferences and when you wish to be notified.
Help is Available for People Who Want to Quit Smoking
Quitting smoking is difficult, and not just because of the addictive properties of nicotine. Different people experience unique challenges, and personalized resources are available for veterans, women, teens, those who are age 60 and older and others. People can call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (784-8669), text QUIT to 47848 or use the live chat feature on SmokeFree.gov. The website has lots of practical articles, including ones about how to make a plan to quit, manage cravings, cope with stress without smoking and much more. There are resources for people who want to stop using dip and vapes, as well as information about how to support a loved one who is quitting. Jan. 20 is Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Martin Luther King Jr. advocated for peace, even while he worked to instill change. As our country has faced various transitions in the past few years, I hope all Americans can celebrate his commitment to treating each other with decency – even when perspectives may differ. President Ronald Reagan signed legislation into law that made the third Monday in January a federal holiday honoring the life of Martin Luther King Jr.
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