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The latest news from the State Capitol |
First Law Signed in 2023
Gov. Josh Shapiro signed a widely popular bill to boost early detection of breast cancer. This measure earned unanimous, bipartisan support in the House when we voted.
Act 1 of 2023 eliminates out-of-pocket costs associated with BRCA-related genetic testing and counseling, as well as supplemental screening such as breast MRI and ultrasound, for women at high risk for breast cancer.
High-risk conditions covered by the bill include dense breast tissue, personal history of breast cancer, family history of breast cancer, genetic predisposition and prior radiation therapy.
Learn more about breast cancer and support services in the Commonwealth here.
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Reminder to Practice Road Safety
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Pennsylvania State Police and motorcycle safety advocates recently joined forces to promote and encourage the safe operation of all vehicles. The governor has proclaimed May as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month in Pennsylvania to recognize that mild temperatures bring an increase in the number of motorcycles travelling on Pennsylvania roadways.
There were approximately 3,369 crashes involving motorcycles on Pennsylvania roadways in 2022, resulting in 217 fatalities. Crashes fell by more than 200 from the 2021 number of 3,578, and fatalities also decreased from 230 in 2021.
Through the Pennsylvania Motorcycle Safety Program (PAMSP), Pennsylvania residents with a motorcycle permit or license can take advantage of the opportunity to earn a motorcycle license or refresh their skills through a variety of training to help develop safe riding skills, no matter how experienced or inexperienced. The courses include: the Basic Rider Course (BRC); the Intermediate Rider Course (IRC); the Advanced Rider Course (ARC); and the 3-Wheeled Motorcycle Basic Rider Course (3WBRC). Successful completion of a basic or intermediate course waives the requirement to take a skills test at a PennDOT Driver License Center and automatically earns the permit holder their motorcycle license. Motorcycle permit holders who complete a 3-wheel basic course will earn a motorcycle license with restriction prohibiting the operation a of 2-wheel motorcycle.
PennDOT contracts several third-party motorcycle training providers to offer these safety training classes free of charge to residents with a motorcycle permit or license. Interested individuals are encouraged to contact training providers directly for class availability, as additional courses may be offered, and providers may offer additional walk-in or waiting list opportunities when individuals fail to report for the training. Class schedules are coordinated by each third-party training provider for their individual locations. To find a local training provider, please visit PennDOT’s PAMSP Training Provider Locations page.
To ensure that only properly licensed riders are operating on Pennsylvania roadways, under Act 126 of 2013, after securing their first motorcycle learner’s permit, people may only reapply for a permit up to three times in a five-year period. When a person’s motorcycle leaner’s permit expires, the individual may retake the knowledge test and reapply for a new permit. If a permit holder is unsuccessful in obtaining a motorcycle license after the third permit reapplication, they must wait the entire five years from the initial issuance of the permit to get another one. This law is aimed at preventing the practice of continually extending the permit without retaking the knowledge test or ever taking the skills test and obtaining a motorcycle license.
Watch for motorcycles and be aware that motorcycles are small and may be difficult to see. Check mirrors and blind spots before changing lanes and at intersections. Allow more following distance and leave at least four seconds when following a motorcycle. Always signal your intentions before changing lanes or merging with traffic. Respect a motorcycle as a full-size vehicle with the same rights and privileges as any vehicle on the roadway. Allow a motorcyclist a full lane width as the motorcyclist needs the room to maneuver safely in all types of road conditions. Never drive impaired.
Motorcyclists can do their part to help avoid crashes by wearing reflective clothing and putting reflective tape on your protective clothing and motorcycle; wearing face or eye protection and a DOT-approved helmet; and using common sense by riding sober, obeying all speed limits and allowing enough time to react to potentially dangerous situations. Know your motorcycle and conduct a pre-ride check. Practice safe riding techniques and know how to handle your motorcycle in adverse road and weather conditions.
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Primary Election Day Tuesday, May 16
This Tuesday, May 16, is the municipal primary election. Voters will have the opportunity to choose their party’s candidates for positions such as county commissioner, county row offices, school board, borough and township officials, judges and more.
Voters may cast their ballots in person at their local polling place. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Additional information about in-person voting is available here.
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.
Only voters registered as Republicans or Democrats are eligible to vote for candidates in the primary election, unless you reside in a community where a special election is taking place or a referendum is on your ballot. Check with your county elections office for details about what is on your ballot. For comprehensive information about the state’s elections, visit vote.pa.gov.
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Peace Officers Memorial Day Monday
This Monday, May 15, is Peace Officers Memorial Day.
It is a day, first established by President John F. Kennedy in 1962, designed to pay tribute to the brave local, state and federal peace officers who have died or been disabled in the line of duty. The day falls during National Police Week, which is being marked from May 14-20.
We are blessed by the men and women who have taken an oath to serve and protect and particularly those who have sacrificed their lives to protect public safety.
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Last Saturday, I hosted a document-shredding event in East Hanover Township. We had a great time loading boxes of documents into an industrial shredder parked at the township building. My thanks to Boy Scouts Troop 262 for providing some muscle for the event.
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The Harrisburg Region Central Labor Council commemorated Workers’ Memorial Day with a downtown service themed “Safe Jobs, Every Worker’s Right.” I was glad for the chance to participate.
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The House Health Committee last week held a hearing about House Bill 106, my measure known as the Patient Safety Act. The bill’s cosponsor, Rep. KC Tomlinson, spoke on our behalf to explain why we believe in safe nurse-to-patient staffing ratios.
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