Dear Neighbor,

We didn’t expect to be back in Harrisburg this week. But I was glad to drive the 200 miles roundtrip to Harrisburg to help us meet a Pennsylvania Supreme Court deadline. Yesterday, we took an important step toward creating a constitutional sentencing framework for more than 1,100 people affected by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s ruling, while continuing to protect public safety.

I also worked this week to protect families from surprise medical debt, safeguard children from gambling addiction, and help spruce up the ‘ol neighborhood!

More below!

Warm regards,

Tarik

📞 215-482-8726
📧 RepKhan@pahouse.net
📍 4001 Main St., #101, Manayunk

In This Issue:

⚖️ Back for Justice
🎰 Gambling & Our Kids
💳 Debt You Don’t Owe
🏛️ Honoring Senator Shirley Kitchen
🔬 Investing in Science
🪚 Community Cleanups
🎡 Last Word

⚖️ Back for Justice

Felony murder, also known as second degree murder, is a legal doctrine that allows someone to be convicted of murder if a death occurs during the commission of certain serious crimes, even if the person did not directly cause the death or intend for it to happen. Many people convicted under this law did not commit the actual killing but are held legally responsible because of their participation in the underlying felony. The only sentence for felony murder in PA has been a life sentence without parole, which is unlike most states in the nation.

Earlier this year, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that mandating life without parole for second degree murder was unconstitutional. The court gave the General Assembly until July 24 to act to fix the law.

Yesterday, we returned to Harrisburg to vote on HB 1042, legislation responding to the court’s decision.

Click here or the image below to watch a brief video describing the bill.

Image: Freeze frame of the video the Capital

Without this legislation, more than 1,100 cases would require costly resentencing, placing a major burden on our courts and taxpayers. The bill does not automatically release anyone from prison. Instead, it creates a constitutional sentencing framework that allows judges to consider each person’s individual role and level of responsibility, with parole eligibility after 30 years subject to Parole Board approval.

I believe this legislation balances public safety, accountability, compassion, and constitutional fairness while fulfilling the court’s directive in an orderly and responsible way.

Click here to read an op ed from former longtime Corrections Secretary Wetzel about the need to act on legislation involving felony murder sentencing.

🎰 Protecting Youth from Gambling Disorder

This week, I met with researchers and advocates from Arnold Ventures, a nonprofit philanthropic organization dedicated to solving problems through fact-based research. We came together to talk about one simple question: how do we better protect kids and families from gambling addiction?

Some of the data is alarming. Approximately 6% of Pennsylvania adults have a gambling disorder, and Pennsylvania has the highest reported rates of gambling disorder in the world among people who gamble both in-person and online. Yes, you read that right. We also know that for every person struggling with a gambling disorder, about six others, including children, spouses, parents, and loved ones, are affected.

Image: With stakeholders from Arnold Foundation in my office

That’s why I’m working on bipartisan legislation based on the recommendations of my House Resolution 60, a landmark study of online and sports gambling in PA that was just published. The goal isn’t to ban online gambling. It’s to put common sense guardrails in place so kids aren’t drawn into gambling at a young age, families are better protected, and companies can’t profit by targeting people who are already at risk.

I was also interviewed by David Gamborcorta from the Philadelphia Inquirer about the study this week. This is on the heels of his reporting that Bryce Harper was used by a sports betting company to send a video to a client who is dealing with a gambling disorder.

Click here or on the image below to read David's story.

Image: Inquirer Graphic

💳 Protecting you from Surprise Medical Debt

Did you know that in Pennsylvania you can be sued by a nursing home for medical debt that you never incurred?

Last night, I spoke with Kristin Crowley of InvestigateTV about HB 2322, bipartisan legislation I’m sponsoring with Rep. Kristine Howard to eliminate Pennsylvania’s outdated filial responsibility law.

Image: Talking with Kristin Crowley

Under current law, adult children can, in certain circumstances, be held responsible for a parent’s unpaid nursing home bills. Our bill would end that practice and keep responsibility where it belongs: with the patient and the existing health care financing system.

Families should be focused on caring for their loved ones — not worrying about surprise medical debt. If you didn’t sign for the debt, you shouldn’t be sued for the debt.

🏛️Honoring Senator Shirley Kitchen

Sunrise: September 18, 1946 Sunset: July 5, 2026

It was an honor to attend the memorial service celebrating the life of former State Senator Shirley Kitchen.

I had the pleasure of meeting Senator Kitchen several times over the years and was always struck by how gentle, kind, and gracious she was. She represented parts of Roxborough and Manayunk during her time in the Senate, and many in our community benefited from her dedicated service. She had a quiet strength and truly cared about the people she served.

Image: The late Senator Kitchen

Senator Kitchen was first elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in a 1987 special election before winning her election to the Pennsylvania Senate in 1996. As only the second Black woman ever elected to the Pennsylvania Senate, she broke barriers and became a tireless advocate for Pennsylvania families. She was a steadfast champion for workers’ rights and increasing the minimum wage, as well as affordable housing, healthcare, criminal justice reform, and greater opportunity for underserved communities.

May she rest in peace, and may her legacy of compassion, dignity, and public service continue to inspire.

🔬 Investing in Science

The federal government has canceled nearly $14 million in healthcare research funding at Penn and CHOP alone, including two $5 million research and training grants and a $3.8 million research coordinating center at Penn that has largely shut down. These programs trained the next generation of medical researchers while advancing discoveries that improve patient care and save lives.

Many of my constituents work at Penn and CHOP as physicians, nurses, scientists, and researchers. Their work doesn’t just benefit Philadelphia — it benefits patients across Pennsylvania and around the world.

Image: Advocating for healthcare legislation recently in the Capitol

America became a global leader by investing in science, innovation, and research. If we want to remain the world’s leader in medicine and technology, we need to restore that commitment, not make deeper cuts.

The next lifesaving breakthrough shouldn’t be delayed because we stopped believing in research.

🪚 Community Cleanups

Image: Cleaning up the pocket park earlier this week

Now that the budget is done, it has been great spending time in the district helping to make our community even more beautiful.

Watch this space in future newsletters for community cleanups we are helping to organize and support!

🎡Last Word

This is what summer in Manayunk looks like!

If you’re not on Main Street Manayunk on Thursday nights in July, you are missing out! Great food, local businesses, live music, and an incredible atmosphere.

There’s a reason people come from all over to spend summer evenings here. Last night was a great time!! Check out Manayunk Stroll the Street again next Thursday!

Image: At Manayunk Stroll the Street last evening