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In this Update:
Teaching Students About State Government
In late March, more than 80 students from 10 local school districts came to the Capitol Building in Harrisburg to learn more about the inner workings of state government during my annual Senator For A Day student government seminar. The event gave students a first-hand look at the legislative process by allowing them to debate key issues, propose amendments and vote on bills in committees and before the full Senate. It is always great to hear the perspectives of young people and see their passion for learning. A big thanks to all the students, advisors, volunteers and others who helped make this event a success again this year! Reducing Aggressive Driving, Protecting Pedestrians the Focus of Senate Hearing
Law enforcement agencies, transportation officials and community advocates discussed initiatives to discourage aggressive driving and make roads safer for pedestrians, fellow motorists and cyclists at a public hearing of the Senate Majority Policy Committee. The most effective and comprehensive approach to reducing aggressive driving involves a combination of engineering, education, enforcement and emergency response strategies, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. The department collaborates with the Pennsylvania State Police, local governments, universities and other organizations to combat aggressive driving. You can read what other testifiers said and view the full hearing video here. Beware of Investment Scams on Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp
Fraudulent investment schemes are appearing on Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp featuring recognizable figures, like Cathie Wood (Ark Invest), Joe Kernen (CNBC) or Kevin O’Leary (CNBC) without their permission. In these “pump and dump” schemes, victims are lured into online groups and convinced to invest in cryptocurrencies or low-priced stocks. The scammers advertise, hype and recommend buying the stocks or cryptocurrencies, increasing their prices, and then sell when the price is high, while the victims lose their money. Attorney General Dave Sunday encourages anyone who may have been a victim of these types of scams to report it to the Bureau of Consumer Protection at 800-441-2555 or scams@attorneygeneral.gov. Women Veterans Invited to Submit Their Stories of Service
Women who served in the armed forces are encouraged to register by May 8 for a state Capitol ceremony honoring their service. The 4th annual Women Veterans Day Commemoration will be held on Wednesday, June 10. Women veterans across the commonwealth are invited to submit entries for a display featuring each participant’s likeness alongside a personal reflection on “What Service Means to Me.” In advance of the in-person ceremony, a virtual display will be accessible online beginning June 8 at the website of the event’s host, SenatorPennycuick.com. To submit a biography and be featured in the display, click here. For additional information or assistance with registration, call 215-541-2388. Area Creameries Encouraged to Join the PA Ice Cream Trail
Area creameries have until this Monday, April 13, to get listed on the 2026 PA Ice Cream Trail. Last year’s promotion brought more than 12,500 visitors to creameries statewide. The PA Ice Cream Trail runs from June to September and is designed to increase consumer awareness of locally produced dairy products. The program includes a digital passport featuring creameries across the state and a prize for those who visit a certain number of creameries. Pennsylvania dairy farms that have a value-added ice cream component to their business and meet the qualifications of the PA Preferred® program are encouraged to join the trail. Find out how to participate at the Center for Dairy Excellence. Child Abuse Prevention Month
National Child Abuse Prevention Month is an opportunity to learn how to identify abused or neglected children. You could save a child’s innocence or even their life. Signs of child abuse include unexplained injuries or injuries inconsistent with a child’s age and developmental level. Signs of child neglect include lack of adequate medical and dental care, or a child who is often hungry or not registered in school. Find more signs of abuse and neglect here. If you suspect child abuse, call ChildLine at 1-800-932-0313. The Senate has taken numerous actions in recent years to help keep kids safe, including: Act 44 of 2018 – Established the Safe2Say Something school threat reporting system, the School Safety and Security Grant Program and the School Safety and Security Committee under the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. Act 125 of 2024 – Criminalized the creation and distribution of an intimate or sexual deepfake of a person and classified explicit deepfakes of minors as child sexual abuse material. Act 35 of 2025 – Classified digital impersonation and deepfakes as a form of criminal forgery under Title 18, giving law enforcement new tools to combat online abuse. SR 136 – Encouraged schools, parents, and community leaders to join in promoting education and prevention of online dangers to children during Social Media Safety and Parental Awareness Week. Senate Bill 1050 – Protecting young people against the serious threats posed by child abuse materials generated using artificial intelligence (AI). Senate Bill 1090 – Establishing commonsense safeguards for AI chatbots accessible by minors in Pennsylvania.
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