|
||
|
Dear Friends, In honor of National Adoption Month, I’ve introduced Senate Bill 1084, the Child Adoption Tax Credit, to help make adoption more affordable for Pennsylvania families. The bill offers a refundable $1,000 tax credit to ease the financial burden for families seeking to give a child a permanent, loving home. No child should wait for a family because of cost, and I look forward to advancing this important measure for our children and families. Sincerely,
Is this Update:
Poll QuestionShould students be allowed to use cell phones during the school day?
I recently introduced Senate Bill 1014, which would prohibit the use of cell phones during the school day. Exceptions would be made for students with medical needs or individualized education plans (IEPs) that require a personal communication device. If this bill passes, Pennsylvania would join 27 other states, including New York, Virginia, and Florida, in restricting phone use in schools. Take my survey here. A Morning of Gratitude: 2025 Veterans Appreciation Breakfast
On Saturday, I had the honor of hosting my annual Veterans Appreciation Breakfast, one of my favorite events of the year. It is always incredibly moving to gather with the men and women who have worn our nation’s uniform, listen to their stories, and thank them for their service and sacrifice. I am grateful to every veteran, family member, and caregiver who joined us, as well as the community partners who helped make the event so meaningful. To all who have served: I see you, I appreciate you, and I will continue to advocate for you. Photos from the event can be found here. The full recording of the event can be found here. No-Cost Diagnostic Breast Imaging Coming to Pennsylvania
I’m thrilled to share some big news: the House has just passed Senate Bill 88, which provides no-cost diagnostic breast imaging for Pennsylvanians insured under state law! The bill had previously passed the Senate unanimously, and SB 88 builds on the comprehensive screening coverage established under Act 1 of 2023. Senate Bill 88 eliminates all out-of-pocket costs for diagnostic breast MRIs, mammograms, and ultrasounds. Senate Bill 88 now heads to Governor Shapiro’s desk for his signature. This is a significant step forward in making lifesaving diagnostic care accessible to all Pennsylvanians. Be sure to follow the PBCC on social media for updates and click here to read the full press release. Protecting Pennsylvania’s Kids from Harmful AI
This week, as Chair of the Senate Communications & Technology Committee, I advanced an important bipartisan measure to help protect young people in our increasingly digital world. Senate Bill 1090, the SAFECHAT Act, which I introduced with Senator Nick Miller, aims to ensure that AI-powered chat tools used by minors are safe, age-appropriate, and equipped to respond responsibly when a child may be in crisis. As a parent and grandparent, I understand how quickly technology is evolving and how vital it is that we stay proactive. Our kids deserve digital spaces that support their well-being, not put them at risk. The SAFECHAT Act would:
This bill is a major step toward creating a safer online environment for Pennsylvania’s children, and I’m proud to see it advance with bipartisan support. You can read the full press release here. Senate Passes Bill to Protect Kids from AI-Generated Exploitation
Recently, the Senate passed Senate Bill 1050, legislation I sponsored with Senator Scott Martin and Senator Lisa Baker to strengthen protections for children in the digital age. As technology evolves, so do the tactics used by bad actors, and it is critical that our laws keep pace. SB 1050 requires mandated reporters to notify authorities of all child sexual abuse material, including AI-generated content. These synthetic images and videos may be digitally created, but the harm they inflict on real children is significant. This legislation builds on prior laws addressing deepfakes and sexual deepfakes, ensuring Pennsylvania remains proactive in confronting emerging digital threats. I am grateful for the strong support this bill received, and I remain committed to safeguarding our children, online and offline. You can read the full release here. Speaking at the Digital Pennsylvania Summit
I was honored to speak at the City & State PA Digital Pennsylvania Summit, where leaders from across the Commonwealth came together to discuss the future of technology, innovation, and cybersecurity. As Chair of the Senate Communications & Technology Committee, I am committed to fostering innovation and positioning Pennsylvania to be a leader in the digital economy. At the same time, we must remain vigilant in protecting our residents from cyber threats and ensuring that emerging technologies are used responsibly and ethically. Pennsylvania has a tremendous opportunity to lead the nation in AI-powered innovation, advancing progress while safeguarding privacy, security, and public trust. I look forward to continuing this important work and supporting policies that strengthen our digital future. Veteran Scam Alert
I want to alert our veterans and military families about a new scam circulating through the mail. Some Pennsylvanians have received a postcard claiming to offer an extra $160 per month through something called the “PA Veteran Savings Program 2025.” While the card looks official, even referencing CHAMPVA and TRICARE for Life, it is 100% fake. Several red flags confirm this is a scam:
If you receive this postcard or anything similar, do not call the number and do not share any personal information. Instead, contact the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs directly at 800-547-2838 to verify any claims or report suspicious activity. Employers, Trade Unions and Lawmakers: New Permitting Reforms, Stopping RGGI Will Boost PA Economy
Trade unions, employers and energy producers joined lawmakers at the Capitol to celebrate new reforms cutting red tape and blocking the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) electricity tax – moves that will unleash Pennsylvania’s economic potential and help create jobs. Both reforms were enacted with the 2025-26 state budget. Pennsylvania’s permitting process has been a deterrent to businesses moving to or expanding in Pennsylvania, costing our state countless jobs. The new law cuts red tape, establishes clear timelines for permit reviews and creates a real-time online tracking system. In addition, key permits will be deemed approved if a state agency moves too slowly. Participating in RGGI, a multi-state electricity tax Gov. Tom Wolf attempted to implement via an illegal regulation and which Gov. Josh Shapiro pursued through the courts, would have increased electricity rates for families and businesses, eliminated energy and manufacturing jobs, forced Pennsylvania power plants to close and created serious threats to grid reliability. “After six long years the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative will no longer be a part of Pennsylvania politics and our energy future in Pennsylvania. This is great news for hardworking Pennsylvanians all across the state,” said Shawn Steffee, business agent, Boilermakers Local 154 Pittsburgh and president, South Central Building Trades Council. Read more reaction to these reforms here. New Law Will Preserve Prescription Access for Seniors
Legislation to prevent thousands of Pennsylvania seniors from losing access to life-sustaining prescription medications is set to become law following final passage by the Senate. House Bill 923 would extend the practice of excluding Social Security cost-of-living adjustments when calculating income eligibility for the PACE and PACENET programs. The exclusion, currently set to expire at the end of 2025, will be extended through Dec. 31, 2027 when the bill is signed by the governor. Without the extension, 10,039 PACENET enrollees would lose their coverage. Additionally, 12,594 PACE enrollees would move to PACENET, losing their lower copayment and their PACE-paid Part D premium. Bill to Ensure Disabled Veterans Receive Free Hunting Licenses Passes Senate
The Senate passed legislation that would close an unintended gap in Pennsylvania’s existing free hunting license program for disabled veterans. Under current law, only veterans who suffered injuries during combat and were deemed 100% disabled by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs are eligible for free hunting licenses. Partially disabled veterans may purchase discounted licenses. Those who suffered service-connected injuries outside of combat — in training, non-combat operations, peacetime duties or other hazardous activities — are not currently eligible for a discount. Senate Bill 1020 would expand eligibility so that all 100% disabled veterans qualify for a free hunting license, regardless of how or where their service-connected injuries occurred. It would also maintain discounted licenses for partially disabled veterans. The bill was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. Attorney General’s New Elder Exploitation Section Expands Protections for Older Pennsylvanians
An expansion of protections and services for seniors, focused on deterring financial theft and holding offenders criminally responsible, was announced with the launch of the Office of Attorney General’s Elder Exploitation Section by Attorney General Dave Sunday. The section will primarily focus on cases involving financial exploitation, deception and theft from older residents — typically perpetrated by relatives, caregivers or appointed conservators and powers of attorney. These are complex cases, involving meticulous review of financial records and other documents. Municipal police departments may not have the resources required to take on these investigations. The Elder Exploitation Section will have the resources, and expects referrals to come from police departments, county, state, and federal agencies and other sources. Celebrate Small Business Saturday with a Cocoa, Coffee & Cookie Crawl
Building a Better Boyertown is excited to partner with Berks-Mont Business Association for their Cocoa, Coffee & Cookie Crawl! Come sip, shop, and stroll your way through downtown while supporting local businesses and sampling delicious treats at each participating stop. All proceeds from the event will benefit Preston’s Pantry Project, supporting families in need right here in our community. Bring your friends and family, enjoy some goodies, and help make a difference. Updated Mobile Office Hours and New Location Added
My mobile offices provide a convenient way to connect with my office for assistance with state services, resources, and any questions you may have. We’ve updated our mobile office hours to better serve you: We are now in Amity from 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM, and in Bally from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM, and we’ve added a new location in Washington Township on the first Monday of each month. Please see below for the full list of times and locations. Montgomery County Montgomery County Community College – Pottstown Campus North Wales Borough Municipal Building Skippack Township Building Towamencin Township Municipal Building Trappe Borough Municipal Building Berks County Amity Township Municipal Building Bally Borough Municipal Building Longswamp Township Municipal Building Washington Township Municipal Building National Diabetes Awareness Month
Diabetes affects about 38 million Americans, including adults and youth. A disease that occurs when your blood sugar is too high, diabetes can damage the eyes, kidneys, nerves and heart, and it is linked to some types of cancer. The good news is that taking charge of your health may help you prevent diabetes health problems. Find out more here.
If you are not already subscribed to this newsletter please sign up here. |
||
|
||
Want to change how you receive these emails? 2025 © Senate of Pennsylvania | https://senatorpennycuick.com | Privacy Policy |
