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In this Update:
New Law to Increase School Security
To protect students, the Senate passed legislation by a margin of 42-7 that would require every school building in Pennsylvania to have an armed officer. Senate Bill 907 was amended into Senate Bill 700, an omnibus School Code bill that was passed as part of the budget and is now law. Each school district is required to have at least one school security personnel, who has completed training to be armed, and may be either a school police officer, school resource officer, or school security guard. School safety personnel would undergo background investigations, be required to maintain certification, and be annually certified in position-specific training. The legislation furthers the Senate Republican priority of fostering healthy and safe communities. PASSHE Freezes Tuition for In-State Undergraduates
For the seventh year, the Board of Governors for Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) froze tuition for in-state undergraduates for the 2024-25 academic year. The tuition rate will stay the same at all 10 state-owned public universities. PASSHE schools serve the most in-state students of any four-year college or university in Pennsylvania, at the lowest price. Nearly 90% of PASSHE’s 82,000 students are Pennsylvania residents, many from middle-income families. To make higher education more affordable, Senate Republicans passed Grow PA – a package of bills that creates new programs to recruit the best talent to Pennsylvania schools in industries that will grow the state’s economy while also expanding existing financial assistance programs that are already working. Read more about the scholarship and tuition waiver programs. Recognizing West Hempfield Township Police Chief’s Retirement
Congratulations to Chief Lisa Layden of the West Hempfield Township Police Department upon her retirement, following a career in law enforcement spanning 29 years! Chief Layden began her career in law enforcement as a patrol officer with the West Fairview Police Department in 1995. The following year, she was hired by the North Codorus Township Police Department, which merged with two other municipalities to become the Southwestern Regional Police Department in 2002. With Southwestern, she served as patrol sergeant and detective sergeant. During the last five years when she served as head of the West Hempfield Township Police Department, she established the Chaplain’s Corp and Peer Support Program to support officer and community wellness. I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know Chief Layden over the last few years, and her work at the department and in our community is truly top tier. Thanks to Chief Layden for her service and best wishes to her in retirement! Manheim Historical Society Anniversary
Congrats to the Manheim Historical Society upon the celebration of its 60th anniversary! The organization engages and educates the public about the people, places, and events that have shaped the heritage and history of Manheim and the surrounding area. Founded in 1964, the society is dedicated to collecting, examining, interpreting, and cataloging local historical artifacts of the town of Manheim and Penn and Rapho townships, as well as preserving local landmarks, such as the Keath House, the Fasig House, the Birney Safety Car, the Howard Street Clock, Stiegel Glassworks 1976, and the railroad station. Learn more about the Manheim Historical Society here. Visiting Heritage Creek Farm Camp
It was great to see so many children unplugged from digital devices, enjoying nature, and learning about agriculture at Heritage Creek Farm Camp! Heritage Creek Farm Camp offers farm-based curriculum to engage campers in educational and fun-filled ways. Campers work and play on the farm, creating meaningful and memorable experiences while learning a variety of valuable life skills. For more photos of my visit to Heritage Creek Farm Camp, check out my Instagram post here. Wishing Robert Emberger Sr. a Wonderful Centennial Birthday
Happy belated 100th birthday to Robert Emberger Sr. of Elizabethtown! A veteran of World War II, he served as a pilot in the U.S. Navy and was employed with Lansdowne Aldan High School as a teacher and head of the physical education department. He is the proud father of four children and has 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Program Increasing Digital Connectivity to Provide Laptops
The Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (PBDA) is accepting applications for its Digital Connectivity Technology Program. Through the new program, the PBDA will purchase and distribute $20 million in laptops for eligible public-facing institutions such as libraries, municipalities, workforce training organizations, not-for-profit organizations, and other institutions that can offer internet access to individuals who lack the technology. PBDA strongly encourages interested applicants to review the program frequently asked questions (FAQ), before applying. The FAQ, pre-recorded webinar providing an overview of the program, guidelines, and online application are available here. Applications must be submitted by Monday, Aug. 19. Prevent Hot Car Deaths in Children
In 2023, 29 children died of heatstroke because they were left or became trapped in a hot vehicle. This tragedy can happen to anyone, but is preventable. A child’s body temperature rises three to five times faster than an adult’s body temperature. When a child is left in a vehicle, the situation quickly can become dangerous. Heatstroke begins when the core body temperature reaches about 104 degrees, and a child can die when his or her body temperature hits 107 degrees. Never leave a child in a vehicle unattended for any length of time – even with the windows down or when parked in the shade, as it does little to change the interior temperature of the vehicle. Stop to check the back seat and lock the door before leaving a hot car. Store car keys out of a child’s reach and teach kids that a vehicle is not a play area. Read more tips. Fighting Human Trafficking
World Day Against Trafficking in Persons is Tuesday, July 30, and this year’s theme is “Leave No Child Behind in the Fight Against Human Trafficking.” Children represent a significant portion of trafficking victims worldwide, and they are twice as likely as adults are to face violence during trafficking. Traffickers use social media to recruit and exploit children. The Pennsylvania Senate worked to support these young victims, unanimously passing a law that ensures sexually exploited children who are human trafficking victims always have full access to appropriate services and support.
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