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In this Update:

• Reducing the Negative Impacts of Social Media on Students
• Senate Majority Policy Committee Examines Rise in Antisemitism
• My Bill to Address the Caregiver Shortage Signed into Law
• Senate Education Committee Reviews Three-Year Bachelor’s Degrees
• “Beagle Bill” Signed by Governor
• Cleaning Up Abandoned Mines Across PA
• PA Senate Passes Two Additional Bills to Cut Red Tape Around Nonprofit Fundraising
• Controversial Department of Health Regulations Have Been Stopped

Reducing the Negative Impacts of Social Media on Students

At the request of Senator Tracy Pennycuick. SP! I recently chaired a public hearing of the Senate Majority Policy Committee focused on the negative impacts of social media on our students.

We heard from Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday, students, parents, mental health advocates, and others about the serious challenges young people face online, from harmful content and AI-generated abuse to the effects of excessive social media use on mental health and learning.

Attorney General Sunday shared an update on his office’s efforts to protect children online and hold technology companies accountable. His office recently reached a significant agreement with Facebook parent company Meta, which secured over $516 million for youth mental health support and sets time restrictions, age verification requirements, and limits on inappropriate content for minors. Sunday has filed similar lawsuits against TikTok and Snapchat.

Hearing directly from those affected, and those working to protect our kids, is invaluable as we work toward realistic solutions to protect our children.  Read more about this hearing here.

Senate Majority Policy Committee Examines Rise in Antisemitism

I recently chaired a Senate Majority Policy Committee public hearing on the growing challenge of antisemitism in Pennsylvania. Antisemitic incidents across the Commonwealth remain at unprecedented levels. Pennsylvania recorded 281 antisemitic incidents in 2025 — the fifth-highest total in the nation, according to the Anti-Defamation League.

Educators, parents, and Jewish advocacy organizations shared firsthand experiences and discussed ways to better protect Jewish students and communities across PA. As one panelist shared, silence cannot defeat hate. All of us—Republicans, Democrats, and Independents— must speak out, support those who are targeted, and ensure every student, regardless of their religion, can learn free from fear and intimidation. Read more about this hearing here.

My Bill to Address the Caregiver Shortage Signed into Law

My bipartisan legislation to help address Pennsylvania’s long-term care workforce shortage was unanimously passed by the House of Representatives and signed by the Governor.

Senate Bill 116 will allow high school juniors and seniors to earn graduation credit by working or volunteering in licensed care settings that provide 24-hour care and supervision for the elderly.

Too many of our families, including mine, have faced the difficult decision of moving a parent or grandparent into a long-term care center. The professionals who provide their care are facing increasing challenges because of workforce shortages. This legislation will give students an opportunity to explore careers in long-term care while helping address this growing need.

Senate Education Committee Reviews Three-Year Bachelor’s Degrees

During a hearing of the Senate Education Committee on the growing trend of three-year college degrees with fewer required credits, I highlighted the importance of both a well-rounded education and hands-on learning experiences.

I shared my experience at Lycoming College, where I took 12 credits of German. At the time, I never could have imagined how valuable those classes would be years later. 

I also emphasized the importance of experiential learning — or, as my German Scout friends liked to say, “learning by doing.” At the Temple Dental Education Center & Clinic in Tamaqua, dental students are gaining firsthand experience working with patients and addressing real-world dental needs.

As we consider shortening the traditional four-year degree, we must ensure students don’t lose valuable opportunities to learn beyond the classroom through a well-rounded curriculum, internships, and practical experience. College should prepare students not only for their first job, but also for opportunities that may not even exist yet. Watch the hearing here.

“Beagle Bill” Signed by Governor

The PA House unanimously passed and the Governor signed Senate Bill 381, also known as the bipartisan “Beagle Bill.” I am a co-sponsor of this legislation. The “Beagle Bill” will prohibit the Commonwealth from funding animal testing and experiments. It will also protect dogs that were bred for testing and make animals previously in a lab available for adoption.

As you can see, our newest pup, Rufus, is growing up FAST! Every dog deserves a chance to live a happy, healthy life outside the lab. This bill is a major win for all those who love and care for animals.

Cleaning Up Abandoned Mines Across PA

I was recently invited to serve as the keynote speaker at the Eastern PA Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation’s Annual Conference near Harrisburg. I shared how much progress we’ve made since my friends and I from Tamaqua’s East End used to explore the abandoned coal mines literally across the road from our homes.

Landscapes that were once black and gray are now lush and green—or, this time of year, brilliant shades of red and yellow. Streams that once ran orange and black are now clear, with fish swimming through them. And massive holes in the landscape have been filled in and reclaimed.

As an original sponsor of Pennsylvania’s Growing Greener program, I understand how important these public-private partnerships are to make our communities healthier, more attractive places to live and create new opportunities for future generations. But we also know there is MUCH more work to be done!

PA Senate Passes Two Additional Bills to Cut Red Tape Around Nonprofit Fundraising

The PA Senate unanimously passed two additional bills to allow local civic organizations, volunteer fire companies, and other nonprofits to use larger small games of chance prizes to raise funds and to keep more of what they raise.

Senate Bill 995 would raise the weekly award limit to $60,000, the first increase since 2013, ensuring local groups can continue generating the revenue they rely on to support vital community programs and services.  Senate Bill 465 would allow licensed clubs to retain up to 50% of their small games of chance proceeds, up from the current 40%. The change would provide clubs with more flexibility to cover operating costs while continuing to support their communities.

Controversial Department of Health Regulations Have Been Stopped

Regulations which would have vastly expanded the power of Harrisburg bureaucrats were stopped after 10,000+ public comments were received from Pennsylvanians.

The proposed regulations would have given the state more power to enter homes and businesses without a warrant, speak to students without parents present, access private health records, unilaterally impose mask mandates and more. The Department of Health introduced the massive, 502-page regulatory overhaul without input from the public or the General Assembly.

After reviewing the proposal, I signed a letter to the Independent Regulatory Review Commission with many of my Senate colleagues warning that the changes would infringe on constitutional rights.  You can read the letter here.