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In this Update:
Keeping Young People Safe Online
Last week, I was proud to join Lampeter Strasburg High School in hosting a special informational session to help give parents, guardians and caregivers critical information to keep kids safe online. The event featured experts in law enforcement, mental health and child protection offering information on emerging trends and vulnerabilities for young people online. My thanks go out to all the panelists, exhibitors, school employees and others who helped make the event a success! In the near future, I look forward to sharing more information presented during the information session on my website for those who were unable to attend. Additional information and resources to support safe online activity for young people is available here. Hearing Explores Approaches to Expanding Access to Dental Care Across PA
Efforts to expand access to dental education and reduce barriers to entry to address severe workforce shortages in dentists, dental hygienists and dental assistants were the focus of a public hearing of the Senate Majority Policy Committee. Almost a third of Pennsylvanians already don’t receive regular dental care and more than 22% of the commonwealth’s dentists are age 65 and older and nearing retirement. The hearing featured dental professionals, educators, insurance companies and other advocates who gave their perspectives on how dental workforce shortages harm public health and shared successful strategies that encouraged more people to pursue these careers. Video of the hearing and written testimony can be found here. Building Stronger and Safer Communities
A year ago this month, the Senate took decisive action on several bills to keep our families and communities safe. Among the bills we passed are Senate Bill 92, known as Tyler’s Law, to impose tougher penalties on drug dealers who sell fentanyl resulting in a fatal overdose; Senate Bill 490 to prohibit non-monetary bail for the most dangerous individuals; and Senate Bill 347 to prohibit so-called “safe injection sites” – which endanger our neighborhoods in Pennsylvania. I voted for these bills because there is a clear and urgent need to give our law enforcement community new tools to combat these serious issues. Unfortunately, although the Senate passed all three bills with bipartisan votes, they continue to sit in the state House of Representatives waiting for action. It’s time for the House Democrats to advance these bills, and I will continue pushing for strong legislation to make our communities safer. Student Teachers Can Apply for Assistance Through PA Support Program
Planning to be a student teacher in 2026-27? The Student Teacher Support Program provides financial assistance in return for help alleviating Pennsylvania’s pressing teacher shortage. It provides $10,000 to eligible student teachers and up to $2,500 to teachers who mentor them. Recipients must commit to teaching in Pennsylvania for three years following the completion of their teaching certification. Selection will be conducted on a first-come, first-served basis based on when the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency receives a completed student application. Learn more and apply here. New Specialty Plate Helps Preserve Pennsylvania’s Heritage
Pennsylvania drivers have another special fund license plate to put on the back of their vehicles: the Preserve Our Heritage plate featuring the Liberty Bell and Pennsylvania Bank Barn. Built from about 1790 to 1900, these barns were banked and set into a hillside and became symbols of Pennsylvania’s agricultural roots. The plates are available for cars or trucks with a registered gross weight of 14,000 pounds or less. Each plate costs $64, with $23 going directly to support the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission’s education and exhibit programs. You can find the plate and order it here. You Can Help Deliver Senior Services in Our Area
Delivering meals, being a senior companion and other roles are open to volunteers of all ages and abilities with the state Aging Services Network. You can learn new skills, make friends and help others through these programs:
Find out more and apply online here or contact the local Area Agency on Aging to see where help is needed in our area. National Donate Life Month
You can save up to eight lives through organ donation, restore sight to two people through cornea donation and heal more than 75 people through tissue donation. While the vast majority of Americans support donation, many overlook the important step of registering their decision to be a donor. Donate Life America has plenty of useful information on this lifesaving topic. Find out how to add the Organ Donor designation to your driver’s license or ID card here.
If you have a question about the information in this e-newsletter or other state related matters that you would like a response to, please click HERE to submit your inquiry through my website. This will help to ensure that we are able to respond to your question in a timely fashion due to the high volume of emails and the ever growing amount of computer generated spam mail we receive daily. |
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