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Capitol Report
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#Listrak\DateStampLong#
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The latest news from the State Capitol
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Please do not reply directly to this email, as it returns to an unmanned account.
You are welcome to contact me through this link.
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Election Day This Tuesday!
This Tuesday, Nov. 3, is Election Day! Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Click here to verify your polling place for in-person voting.
Voters who have chosen to vote by mail-in or civilian absentee ballot must have those ballots back to their county Board of Elections no later than 8 p.m. on election day.
If you choose to deliver it in person, you can only return your own ballot, not anyone else’s. And no one can deliver your ballot on your behalf unless you are a voter with a disability and have designated someone, in writing, to deliver your ballot, or if you need an emergency absentee ballot. Click here for more frequently asked questions about elections from the Department of State.
More information about voting is available at www.vote.pa.gov.
Please note: My office will be closed on Tuesday due to election day. We will resume our regular office hours on Wednesday, Nov. 4.
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Protecting Kids from Internet Predators, AI
I recently voted in favor of two new state laws aimed at keeping our children safe in the age of internet predators and artificial intelligence.
Act 71 of 2026, formerly House Bill 1098 – also known as Alicia’s Law – creates a dedicated state grant program to fund law enforcement task forces focused on investigating and prosecuting internet predators who target children. The law is named after Alicia Kozak, a Pittsburgh-area woman who was abducted in 2002 at age 13 by a man she met online. Thanks to her advocacy, Pennsylvania became the 14th state to enact this law.
Act 87 of 2026, formerly House Bill 2474, requires mandated reporters of child abuse to immediately notify law enforcement when they become aware of suspected child sexual abuse material involving artificial intelligence-generated deepfake images. The legislation is intended to prevent reporting delays that can allow sexually explicit material involving children to continue circulating and additional victims to be targeted.
Act 71 takes effect immediately, while Act 87 will take effect in late January.
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New Law Bans Cell Phone Use in School
Legislation that would require schools across the Commonwealth to ban the use of cell phones during the school day, which I voted in favor of, was signed into law by the governor earlier this week.
Act 117 of 2026, formerly Senate Bill 1014, specifically requires all Pennsylvania public, charter, cyber charter, and private schools to adopt policies prohibiting students from using personal cell phones throughout the school day, including during lunch, recess and between classes.
There are some exemptions, including students who require a mobile device due to a medical condition of the student or an immediate family member; students who have individual education plans that require them to use their phones; English-language learners who use their phones for translation services; and students who receive permission from the teacher when certain criteria are met.
The law requires school entities to inform parents, guardians, teachers and students about the policy at the beginning of each school year. The policy would have to include information about how parents or guardians can sign up for emergency notifications and how they can contact their child during the school day.
Schools are required to adopt and implement a policy by the start of the 2027-28 school year.
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Recap of Policy Roundtable on E-Bike Safety
I recently hosted an e-bike roundtable with local legislators and police departments to discuss the often-confusing laws surrounding e-bikes, as well as safety concerns for both riders and the drivers and pedestrians around them. We explored what a new, streamlined and more effective law could look like, one that is easier for constituents to understand and follow while improving safety around e-bike use across Pennsylvania.
Watch the video below for a recap of our discussion:
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Welcoming York Tech to Harrisburg
I joined fellow members of the York County delegation to welcome students and teachers from York County School of Technology to Harrisburg. We had the chance to answer their questions about current legislation, the role of a representative and more. It was a great time!
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New NAPA Center
It was a privilege to help welcome National Automotive Parts Association’s (NAPA) newest reverse logistics center to the 47th. This first-of-its-kind facility in Pennsylvania employs about 35 people, with room to grow, and will supply the region and beyond with car parts and tools.
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October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month
October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month, which is a time to celebrate our friends with Down syndrome and make others aware of their many abilities and accomplishments.
Down syndrome is the most common chromosomal condition diagnosed in the United States and is associated with delays in physical growth, characteristic facial features and intellectual challenges. Approximately 5,700 babies are born with Down syndrome in the United States each year. However, due to improved research and medical treatments, children born with Down syndrome can live long, happy and productive lives.
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House Archives Internship Opportunity
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives Archives Internship Program is currently accepting applications for the spring 2027 semester.
The 13-week internship is based at the Pennsylvania State Capitol and focuses on teaching archival processes and procedures, which include arranging and describing paper-based collections, housing materials in a safe and secure manner, and preparing finding aids for potential researchers using ArchivesSpace. Additionally, interns learn techniques on preparing and installing museum displays, photographing objects and much more.
At the time of the internship, students must be attending a college or university in Pennsylvania OR be a resident of Pennsylvania; be a second-semester junior, senior or graduate student; and have a GPA of at least 3.0. Both full-time and part-time opportunities are available, and interns are paid $12 per hour.
For more information or to fill out the application, click here. Applications are due by Sunday, Nov. 1.
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Don’t Forget to ‘Fall Back’ Saturday Night
Daylight saving time will end at 2 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 1. Be sure to turn your clocks back one hour before going to bed on Saturday night.
It’s also a good time to check or change the batteries in smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms in your home. In addition to regular battery changes, experts say the alarm devices should be replaced every 10 years to better ensure your safety.
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Stay Safe this Halloween
Halloween is a fun time for many kids and families, but safety must always remain a top priority. According to the National Safety Council, the following are some tips to keep in mind while trick-or-treating:
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All costumes, wigs and accessories should be fire-resistant. |
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If children are out after dark, fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags, or give them glow sticks. |
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Opt for non-toxic Halloween makeup over masks, which can obscure vision. |
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A responsible adult should accompany young children on neighborhood rounds. |
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If older children are going alone, plan and review a route and establish a return time. |
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Teach children never to enter a stranger’s home or car. |
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Instruct children to travel only in familiar, well-lit areas and stay with friends. |
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Tell children not to eat any treats until they return home, where they can be inspected by an adult. |
Motorists traveling on neighborhood trick-or-treat nights should remember to stay alert, slow down, and enter and exit all driveways and alleys carefully.
For more on these and other safety tips, click here.
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