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In this Update:
Legislation to Combat AI-Generated Deepfake Images of Minors in PA Set for Enactment
Legislation to combat “deepfake” images of minors and child sexual abuse materials generated by artificial intelligence (AI) received final legislative approval and is set for enactment into law. Senate Bill 1213 addresses the alarming rise in AI-generated deepfake sexual images of children and non-consenting adults. Currently, Pennsylvania law makes it illegal to share intimate images without consent but does not clearly address the use of AI deepfake technology for this purpose. This gap in our law leaves many vulnerable to a new form of digital abuse. The bill also prohibits AI from being utilized to generate child sexual abuse material, previously referred to as “child pornography,” which is not currently prohibited under law. In August, police in Lancaster County launched an investigation into a case of artificially generated nude photos that use the faces of more than 20 female teenage students. The district attorney said that in some cases charges can’t be filed because the images don’t involve actual children. Senate Bill 1213 seeks to close that loophole. Have You Registered for My Community Discussion About Student Smartphone Use?
It’s not too late to register to join a panel of experts to discuss the impact of student smartphone use in schools. I will be hosting the event on Tuesday, Oct. 15, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Centerville Middle School, 865 Centerville Road, Lancaster. In addition to a question-and-answer session, the discussion will also cover local initiatives to combat smartphone use in schools, legislative measures that can help schools address this challenge, and the impact of social media on students. Participants will also learn how one Pennsylvania school district successfully addressed smartphone use and the results of their robust policy. Members of the panel will include a Pennsylvania school administrator, parents, an online safety expert, a pediatrician, and more. Please sign up here. Senate Committee Votes to Ensure PA is Prepared for Natural Disasters
As hurricanes Helene and Milton remind us of the importance of being prepared to respond to natural disasters and other emergencies, the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee advanced three bills to support Pennsylvania’s emergency responders. All three bills now advance to the full Senate for consideration. House Bill 843 would establish a second urban search and rescue team in western Pennsylvania. Funding for the team was included in this year’s state budget. The bridge collapse and East Palestine train derailment demonstrated the need for emergency response in minutes, not hours. House Bill 1304 would update the language in the 911 Law to increase penalties for misuse of the 911 system and ensure communications service providers report service outages as specified by the Federal Communications Commission or Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission. House Bill 2407 would update the state Fire and EMS Grant Program by enabling fire and EMS companies to use grants for preventative health measures, mental health awareness and treatment. The legislation would also allow testing after each of the four training modules for the Firefighter 1 certification, as opposed to the current practice of requiring firefighters to pass a cumulative test covering all modules. Finally, the bill would increase the thresholds that fire and EMS companies can borrow from the low-interest Fire and EMS Loan Program. Survey Alert: Should Regenerative Farming be Incentivized?
Have you heard of regenerative farming? Do you think it’s important for our soil, food supply, and overall health to prioritize decreasing the use of pesticides in farming? I would like to know your thoughts. Please respond to my survey question about whether regenerative farming should be incentivized in Pennsylvania here. Upcoming Pastoral BreakfastTo connect with clergy and lay leaders in the 36th Senatorial District, I will be hosting a breakfast on Monday, October 28th from 8:30 am – 10:30 am, at the American Legion Cloister Post 429 (300 Cocalico Street, Ephrata). It is my priority to have ongoing and open communication with community leaders within the district. As such, this breakfast will be a time for you to share with me concerns and challenges you may be hearing from your congregation and local communities. Please register here. I look forward to seeing you at the breakfast! Bridge Dedication Ceremony for Local Historical Figure
Rep. Brett Miller and I are hosting a bridge dedication ceremony in honor of Maj. Gen. Edward C. Shannon, a local historical figure raised in Columbia. It will be Wednesday, Oct. 16, starting at 10 a.m. at the Cedar Street Parking lot above Burger King, 531 N. Third St., Columbia. Maj. Gen. Shannon began his military career in 1889 when he enlisted in the Pennsylvania National Guard. He advanced through the non-commissioned officer ranks and obtained a commission as a second lieutenant in 1893. By the time he volunteered to serve in the Spanish-American War, he had attained the rank of captain and command of a company. Decades later, he was elected prothonotary of Lancaster County and also served as lieutenant governor. Read his full biography from the Columbia History Preservation Society here. Talking About Lancaster’s Energy Landscape with the Chamber of Commerce
I appreciated the opportunity to join a panel discussion hosted by the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce about energy policy. The reliability of our electric grid is an urgent and critically important issue as no one wants to be restricted with when or how much electricity they can use. Other members of the panel included Constellation Energy; David Althoff, director, DEP Energy Programs Office; and Adam Walters, senior energy advsior, DCED. PA’s Credit Rating Upgraded Potentially Saving Taxpayer Dollars
Pennsylvania received yet another upgrade to its credit rating because of the prudent financial management of Senate Republicans. Moody’s Investor Services raised the rating to Aa2. The announcement was the fourth significant upgrade to the state’s financial outlook in the past 13 months. Previous upgrades helped Pennsylvania and its taxpayers save nearly $100 million during the December 2023 bond sale. Senate Republicans have been dedicated to building the state’s Rainy Day Fund, allocating nearly $740 million more in this year’s budget – bringing the total balance to more than $7 billion. Above the national average, the fund directly influenced the rating upgrades. What Do You Think of PennDOT’s Construction and Maintenance Services?
Motorists have until Tuesday, Oct. 22, to provide feedback regarding PennDOT’s construction and maintenance services via an online survey. The survey asks respondents how they receive PennDOT roadway information and how often PennDOT meets or exceeds expectations regarding construction and maintenance services. Respondents are also asked about experiences with reporting concerns to their department, and whether or how they use the state’s 511PA traveler information services. Faith Outreach Center Tours State Capitol
Members of the Faith Outreach Center in Mount Joy recently made the trip to Harrisburg to tour our beautiful state Capitol building. You may also tour the state Capitol for free. During a 30-minute guided tour, Capitol tour guides point out architectural and artistic highlights as they make the Capitol’s history come alive. Schedule a tour online or by calling the Tour Guide Office at 1-800-TOUR-N-PA (868-7672). Act 1 of 2023
Act 1 of 2023, a landmark law we passed in Pennsylvania, eliminates all costs associated with screening breast MRI, ultrasound, genetic testing, and counseling for individuals at high risk of breast cancer who are insured under state-regulated plans. High-risk factors include a personal or family history of breast cancer, abnormal breast screenings, or dense breast tissue. Individuals with gene mutations like BRCA1 or BRCA2, or those with a first-degree relative carrying these mutations, are also covered for additional screenings and genetic counseling. The law will be fully in effect for all state-regulated insurance plans by the end of 2025, though many plans will begin coverage between 2024 and 2025. To find out if your plan qualifies, check with your insurer or employer’s human resources. For uninsured or underinsured women who need immediate screenings, Pennsylvania offers no-cost options through the Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program.
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