|
||||
|
In this Update:
Senate Passes Bill to Fight Human Trafficking
Legislation to give investigators and prosecutors new tools to fight human trafficking in Pennsylvania was overwhelmingly passed by the Senate. My thanks to the prime sponsor of the bill, Senator Cris Dush, for his work on this important measure. Senate Bill 45 will help local law enforcement agencies and the state attorney general investigate and prosecute human trafficking by increasing penalties for several related crimes, including promoting prostitution, promoting prostitution of a minor, exploiting prostitutes and patronizing prostitutes. Fines paid by those convicted of patronizing prostitutes will be split between the state’s Safe Harbor for Sexually Exploited Children Fund and the Prevention of Human Trafficking Account established in Pennsylvania’s General Fund. The bill also consolidates crimes related to human trafficking within the Crimes Code, giving the attorney general concurrent jurisdiction so these crimes, which are frequently the basis for large-scale human trafficking organizations, can be prosecuted more effectively. Senate Bill 45, which is supported by Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday and numerous anti-human trafficking organizations, now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration. If you believe you may have information about a trafficking situation, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888. Rifle Competition State Champion
It was great to welcome Riley Wasson, PIAA Individual Rifle Competition State Champion, to the Pennsylvania Capitol this week and recognize her during Senate Session. Riley is a student at Armstrong Junior-Senior High School and a member of the Armstrong River Hawks Rifle Team. She is the daughter of Jeff and Ashleigh Wasson of Kittanning, PA and was also joined in Harrisburg by coaches Chris Robbins and Dave Robinson and Co-Athletic Director Jake Kanish. Congratulations, Riley! Senate Guest Chaplain
When the Pennsylvania Senate gathers in Harrisburg to consider legislation, we open session with a non-denominational prayer delivered by a guest chaplain. On Tuesday, Pastor Brandon Mountan from Brush Valley Chapel in Indiana, PA served as the Senate Guest Chaplain. Pastor Mountan was joined in Harrisburg by members of his family. I greatly appreciated them making the trip to the state capitol! 5th Annual State Working Animal Appreciation Day at the Capitol
I was pleased to kick off ‘Working Animal Appreciation Day’ at the state capitol on Monday, on behalf of Senator Doug Mastriano. Thank you to Terri Heck of the State Working Animal Foundation for taking part in the press conference. The Pennsylvania State Working Animal Foundation hosts this annual appreciation day to recognize police and military K-9s, search and rescue dogs and horses, service dogs and therapy animals. Pennsylvania is blessed to have so many working animals who help us in so many ways. While two past stars – Detective Briggs and Chase the Cat – have crossed the Rainbow Bridge, it was great to welcome K-9 Snickers to her first Working Animal Appreciation Day! Bill Targeting Dangerous Fentanyl Additive Passes Senate
The Senate passed legislation to combat the increasing illicit use of the veterinary anesthesia medetomidine by regulating it as a Schedule III controlled substance. Senate Bill 866 provides law enforcement and public health officials with another tool to combat dangerous drug adulterants while including clear exemptions to ensure veterinarians can continue using the medication in the care and treatment of animals. Medetomidine has rapidly overtaken xylazine as a common adulterant in Pennsylvania’s illicit drug supply. While medetomidine was not detected in samples collected in early 2024, it was found in approximately 80% of adulterants sold as fentanyl in Pennsylvania by April 2026. The drug is estimated to be significantly more potent than xylazine and can cause severe cardiovascular complications, even after naloxone has been administered. The General Assembly passed legislation to make xylazine a Schedule III drug in 2024. The bill now advances to the House of Representatives for consideration. Read more about the measure here. PA Guard Military Family Education Program
As students begin preparing for the fall semester, Pennsylvania National Guard members are reminded their families could be eligible for assistance to offset the cost of higher education. The Military Family Education Program is for Guard members who completed an initial service obligation on or after July 1, 2019, and is eligible to reenlist in the PA National Guard for a period of six years. The grants can be used for a degree-granting or certificate-granting curriculum, course of study, or training program required for entrance into a specific career at an approved Pennsylvania institution of higher learning. Read more details and find applications here. Entries Accepted for PA Agriculture Photo Contest
Pennsylvania residents have until June 30 to submit entries in the 2026 Pennsylvania Agriculture Photo Contest. Submit up to four original photos highlighting the people, places, traditions and beauty of agriculture across our region or the commonwealth. Winning photos will be displayed in the Pennsylvania Capitol Complex during the first weeks of September. The categories are On the Farm, PA Fair Season, Agritourism, and Conservation. Click here for rules and how to submit your photos. National Cancer Survivors Month
There are more than 18.6 million people living with a history of cancer in the U.S. Each person diagnosed with cancer faces a unique set of challenges, but one in four survivors reports a poor physical quality of life, and many experience psychosocial challenges. If you are a cancer survivor or caregiver, you can find resources from the National Cancer Institute here that may help you enhance your health and well-being after a cancer diagnosis. They address emotional concerns, nutrition and physical activity, support services, follow-up medical care and testing for cancer. |
||||
|
||||
Want to change how you receive these emails? 2026 © Senate of Pennsylvania | https://senatorpittman.com | Privacy Policy |
![Father in military uniform holding hand of young child.]](https://www.pasenategop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/MFEP_E-News.jpg)
