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In this Update:
Regan Municipal Police Pension Buyback Garners Unanimous Support in Senate
The Senate voted unanimously on Tuesday in support of my legislation, Senate Bill 464, to provide municipal police officers the opportunity to purchase prior police service towards their pension. This is a legislative issue that I have been championing for several sessions now. Unfortunately, in order to advance the bill, we had to reach a compromise. Originally, municipalities and regional police departments would have been required to provide a buyback benefit as part of their pension plans. The potential cost to local governments and taxpayers was too great, and instead, my bill now authorizes municipalities and regional departments to provide such a benefit. Authorization in statute is necessary for providing benefits beyond what is already allowed. This is modeled after the military buyback already afforded to municipal police. It is my hope that individual departments will negotiate the buyback for their officers, and ultimately, we will see it as a universal benefit across the Commonwealth. First, however, the bill now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration. I encourage officers and others to contact their House member to ask for their support of the bill and its passage. Click here to watch my floor remarks regarding Senate Bill 464. Miss Pennsylvania Candidates Visit Capitol Ahead of Competitions in York
On Monday, I had the honor of welcoming to the Capitol Miss Pennsylvania 2023, along with 24 young women from around the Commonwealth who will be competing in the Miss Pennsylvania Competition, being held at the Appell Center in the City of York this weekend. This year marks the 97th Miss Pennsylvania Competition and 20th Miss Pennsylvania Teen Competition, with York being the designated host since 2019. During this multi-day event, these hardworking women will vie for more than $70,000 in academic scholarships, with the winners advancing to the Miss America competitions in January. Please take a minute to watch my introduction on the Senate floor of the candidates for the title of Miss Pennsylvania 2024. I also had the pleasure, on behalf of my colleague Senator John DiSanto, of introducing our reigning Miss Pennsylvania 2023, Miranda Moore, a resident of Harrisburg, who has traveled the Commonwealth this past year sharing her community service initiative, “Take Action in Fashion”, which focuses on sustainability in the fashion industry. Click here to watch my remarks and learn more about her service initiative. For those interested in attending, tonight are preliminaries for Miss Pennsylvania and the finals for Miss Teen PA, and tomorrow are the Miss Pennsylvania finals. Click to learn more and purchase tickets for Friday and Saturday. Regan Welcomes Police Officer, Daughter to Senate
On Tuesday, together with Senator Art Haywood, who represents parts of Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties, I had the pleasure of welcoming Adrian McMenamin and his daughter Sienna to the Senate. Adrian is a police officer in Montgomery County, who I got to know after he contacted me regarding my police pension buyback legislation, which he witnessed achieve final passage during our legislative session. Sienna is a bright, young woman who is off to the US Naval Academy this fall. Click here to watch my introduction of Adrian and Sienna on the Senate floor. “Grow PA” Bills for Affordable Pathways to Higher Ed, Career Prep Passes Senate
Tens of thousands of students would have more opportunities to pursue affordable post-secondary education and career preparations programs under a package of bills approved with bipartisan support in the Senate. The Grow PA initiative would create and expand programs to connect students to high-demand careers in Pennsylvania. The bills would not only make education and career training more affordable, but also provide strong incentives for students to stay and work in the state after completing their degrees and certifications. Grow PA Scholarships would be established for in-state students who attend college in Pennsylvania, pursue a degree in a high-demand industry, and agree to live and work in that industry in Pennsylvania after graduation. Grow PA Merit Scholarships would be created to allow high-performing, out-of-state students pursuing in-demand occupations to pay lower, in-state tuition at Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) schools. Ready to Succeed Scholarships would be expanded to help as many as 24,000 additional students cover post-secondary education costs. Fostering Independence Tuition Waivers would be expanded to nonresident students, waiving PASSHE tuition and fees for children in the foster care system and children who were adopted. Performance-based metrics would be added to funding for state-related universities, including the University of Pittsburgh, Penn State University and Temple University to provide added accountability to taxpayers. A Higher Education Task Force would be created to improve higher education and career preparation programs. Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) completion would be required for high school seniors, ensuring families have access to vital information on higher education aid, career and technical education, certificate programs and more. The Grow PA plan also includes historic investments in career and technical education and dual enrollment. Bill to Protect Property Owners from Squatters Receives Senate Support
The Senate approved legislation to establish more certainty for homeowners, landlords and law enforcement who encounter squatters. It respects the rights of all parties involved, ensuring legitimate tenants are protected while closing the door to those who exploit our system to occupy homes illegally. Under current Pennsylvania law, squatters are considered trespassers after the property owner warns them they are not welcome and instructs them to vacate the property. Should the squatters remain where they are not licensed or privileged to be, they commit the offense of defiant trespass. However, reclaiming property from squatters requires a “notice to quit” be issued to individuals who have no legal right to the property. It imposes financial burdens and significant emotional strain on property owners. Given the inconsistencies and lack of clarity in how states address squatter concerns, Pennsylvania must establish clear, uniform guidelines. Senate Bill 1236 defines what constitutes a “tenant,” simplifies the reclamation process – by eliminating the need for a “notice to quit” to be provided to a non-tenant – and offers a practical solution to a deeply distressing problem. Senate Approves Legislation Combatting AI “Deepfake” Images of Minors
Legislation to combat “deepfake” images of minors and child sexual abuse materials generated by artificial intelligence (AI) was approved by the Senate. The bill will be sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. The unauthorized dissemination of an intimate image is against the law in Pennsylvania. However, the law does not specifically address the use of AI deepfake technology to create and disseminate an intimate image of a non-consenting person. Some websites have published realistic AI-generated sexual images of non-consenting adults, as well as children. The images may be artificial but are created by using data and images from real individuals and children. Senate Bill 1213 would make it clear that the use of AI deepfake technology to create pornographic images of an individual without his or her consent is prohibited. It would also prohibit the use of deepfake technology to create child sexual abuse materials. Bill to Extend Grant Program for Fire, EMS and Rescue Organizations Passes Senate
The Senate approved Senate Bill 1099 to extend the state Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant Program for an additional five years. The program is scheduled to expire June 30. Grants are provided through the program to help volunteer and professional fire companies, emergency medical services (EMS) organizations and volunteer rescue squads construct or renovate facilities, purchase or repair equipment, reduce debt and provide training. The grant program allocates up to $30 million, with fire companies eligible for grants of up to $20,000 and EMS companies eligible for grants of up to $15,000. Free Webinars Provide Helpful Financial Aid Info
The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) is holding free webinars to assist college-bound students and their families with navigating the financial aid process. On Tuesday, June 25, at noon, speakers will discuss how to cover the gap between awarded loans and the actual amount due. On Thursday, June 27, at 6:30 p.m., speakers will focus on how to compare financial aid offers to choose the right loan for the borrower. Register to attend the one-hour webinars. Happy Father’s Day
Father’s Day is a time to reflect on the amazing men in our lives and let them know how much their dedication means to us. They show their love and guidance in so many ways, big and small, that make our lives better. Wishing all of the dads a wonderful day with their families!
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