While state budget negotiations continue, there is also plenty of action occurring in Harrisburg on good legislation that will benefit our loved ones and neighbors in our communities here in the district and across PA.

This past week I was proud to have FOUR of my bills receive votes in the General Assembly:

We are on the edge of a childcare crisis here in our Commonwealth. Affordable, quality childcare is becoming a luxury for too many of our working families. This week, my legislation, H.R. 363, passed the House with strong bipartisan support on a vote of 186-16. Now, a study will be undertaken by the Joint State Government Commission to examine PA's childcare industry and offer legislative recommendations. Our working families deserve childcare they can count on, without breaking the bank. I am hopeful the recommendations offered will provide a viable path forward to improve PA's childcare industry.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is moving at the speed of light, and while it possesses revolutionary potential, there is a clear lack of adequate safety protocols and protections in place, especially when it comes to AI chatbots (AI capable of holding continuous conversations with humans on any topic). In the absence of action at the federal level, it is imperative state lawmakers step up – and I have. We must implement proper safeguards that protect Pennsylvania's children and vulnerable adults.

My bill, H.B. 2006, would implement standards that AI companies must ensure their chatbots adhere to, such as suicide and violence prevention, prohibiting the creation of child sexual abuse materials, and requiring parental consent for minors.  Pennsylvanians deserve adequate consumer protection regulations. This bill was recently voted out of the House Communications and Technology committee, and I look forward to it receiving consideration on the House floor.

For years our Commonwealth has participated in the CDC’s nationwide Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) to shape state policies for maternal and infant health. This program ended at the federal level. My bill, HB 2621, would establish the PRAMS program here in PA. It passed the House with strong bipartisan support on a vote of 190-12. The data collected from PRAMS has helped to shape educational campaigns and policy recommendations that save the lives of mothers and babies. This bill now moves to the Senate for further consideration.

This week my bill, HB 2024, passed the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee unanimously! The bill would ensure that county directors of veterans’ affairs are trained in trauma-informed care, including military sexual trauma (MST), PTSD and traumatic brain injuries. I am hopeful this bill will receive a vote in the Senate.

Sincerely,

Rep. Melissa Shusterman

157th Legislative District

Pennsylvania State Capitol

114 Irvis Office Building
Harrisburg, PA 17120
(717) 787-7524

District Office

1536 E. Lancaster Ave., Suite 200
Paoli, PA 19301
(484) 200-8260

Unsubscribe from future updates