|
|||
|
In this Update:
Senate Bill 90 Signed into Law – Now Act 33 of 2025
More great news! Senate Bill 90, my legislation to modernize firefighter training and certification by offering more flexible testing options, was signed into law by the governor on July 7 and is now Act 33 of 2025. This new law makes it easier for firefighters-in-training to succeed by allowing them to take tests after each training module—rather than one big cumulative exam—for their Firefighter I Certification. Senate Bill 90 passed both the Senate and House unanimously. — Senator Doug Mastriano For more information: Senate Bill 90 (Act 33 of 2025) – Bill Information Pennsylvania Democrats Are Waging a War on Women’s Rights
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives—under a Democrat-controlled majority—continues to stall and sabotage commonsense legislation that protects women. The latest example? Senate Bill 9, the “Save Women’s Sports Act,” which passed the Senate with bipartisan backing, has been buried in procedural gamesmanship that betrays the women and girls Title IX was designed to protect. The Democrat-led House Education Committee’s decision to re-refer Senate Bill 9 to the House Health Committee is not an administrative shuffle. It is a deliberate political maneuver by Democrats to sabotage legislation they are too afraid to publicly oppose. This sends a disturbing message: protecting women’s rights takes a back seat to appeasing radical activist ideology. And let’s not forget that during the 2022 gubernatorial campaign, Josh Shapiro loudly proclaimed himself a “defender of women’s rights.” But his actions tell a very different story. By aligning with efforts to block Senate Bill 9, Shapiro is betraying the women he claimed to champion. His political gamesmanship proves he is not a defender of women’s rights, but a liar and opportunist willing to roll back 50 years of hard-won progress. He supports having biological males dominate women’s sports, stripping away opportunity and endangering the integrity of Title IX. This is not leadership. This is cowardice disguised as inclusivity. The Facts Are Clear
And yet, Gov. Shapiro and House Democrats ignore these facts. They obstruct Senate Bill 9 and distort the conversation, pretending that this is about acceptance. But it’s not. It’s about displacing women from their own spaces, denying them their own podiums and erasing the very category of “female athlete.” The Cost of Inaction Every day this bill is delayed, Shapiro is saying that female rights are subject to his dangerous political ambitions. That their safety, their dignity and their futures are less important than political theater. That biological reality must be sacrificed to satisfy ideological fantasy. This is not progress—it is a direct assault on everything Title IX was meant to secure. And it is being waged by the very people who once claimed to stand with women. It’s Time to Do What’s Right The House must bring Senate Bill 9 to a vote—no more stalling, no more rerouting, no more cowardice. Gov. Shapiro has a decision to make. Will he continue waging war on the very women he once pledged to defend, or will he uphold the promises he made to the people of this commonwealth? The Save Women’s Sports Act is not extreme. What’s extreme is allowing young girls to be pushed aside, overpowered and silenced in the name of politics. The future of women’s sports in Pennsylvania is on the line. Let’s defend it, not dismantle it. Sen. Doug Mastriano represents the 33rd Senate District Restoration for Trout Habitat in Adams County
Wednesday, I visited and was impressed by the Conewago Creek bank restoration for the trout habitat. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, Adams County Conservation District and Western Pennsylvania Conservancy did an outstanding job. PUC Update – What You Can Do Right Now
I have been working to gain a better understanding of the internal issues surrounding recent utility problems. Much of it was bureaucratic process — but here’s the key takeaway I want to share with you: FILE A COMPLAINT! Start with an informal complaint. Then follow up with a formal complaint, even if the informal one is dismissed. The more complaints they receive, the more action will be taken. Even if your informal complaint is denied — you still have the right to escalate it.
I’m continuing to press for answers and oversight. In the meantime, please file a complaint if you’ve been impacted, and share this information with your neighbors. Take a listen to Savanah and Azariah’s Story
Hear Savanah Faith as she powerfully shares her personal journey and the inspiring story of her son, Azariah, at the recent Right to Life press conference held at the Capitol. Malicious Deepfake Scams Targeted by New Law
Technology such as artificial intelligence has been used to commit financial scams, injure personal reputations and disrupt the political process. Legislation we passed is now enacted to classify these deepfakes and other forms of digital impersonation as digital forgeries, punishable by law. Act 35 of 2025 amends the current forgery provisions in state law to include “forged digital likeness.” Under the new provision, if someone creates a digital representation of a real person without their consent and distributes it as genuine, with the intent to defraud or injure, they would be subject to penalties. The law targets harmful impersonations while safeguarding legitimate artistic, journalistic and expressive works. The new law will go a long way toward combatting scams that target teenagers, senior citizens, small businesses and other victims. Protecting Our Children: Sex Offender Registry Loophole Closed Pennsylvania took a huge step forward in efforts to protect children from sexual abuse in youth sports and nonprofit programs with legislation that was passed by the Senate and signed into law. Act 22 of 2025 adds the crime of sexual assault by a sports official, volunteer or employee of a nonprofit association as a Tier II offense under the state’s Sexual Offender Registration and Notification Act. Without the change, a conviction for this crime did not require sexual offender registration – a gap that left children and families at risk. Pennsylvania Officially Joins Three Health Care Licensure Compacts
As of this week, Pennsylvania has now fully joined the Interstate Medical Licensure, Nurse Licensure and Physical Therapy Licensure compacts, allowing doctors, nurses and physical therapists to practice across state lines more easily – meaning out-of-state practitioners can begin working in the commonwealth within days instead of months. In addition to these licensure compacts, Pennsylvania also participates in the previously established Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact. Following compacts’ success, the Senate is actively engaged in passing other compacts to further support license mobility, address health care staffing shortages and improve access to care for patients across the commonwealth. Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program Application Deadline Extended to Dec. 31
The deadline to file for the state Property Tax Rent/Rebate Program has been extended to Dec. 31, 2025, allowing eligible older adults and people with disabilities age 18 and older more time to apply for rebates on property taxes and rent paid. The maximum eligible income is $46,520 and the maximum rebates range from $380 to $1,000 depending on the income level of the homeowner or renter. Check income, age and other eligibility details here. Treasurer Stacy Garrity recently announced that 423,092 Property Tax/Rent Rebate payments totaling $256 million were sent to eligible Pennsylvanians on July 1. Please contact my office if you need help filling out your application. Summer Boating in PA
If you’re putting your boat in the water this summer, it’s a good idea to reacquaint yourself with Pennsylvania boating regulations, safety courses and other information from the state Fish and Boat Commission to help you build outdoor memories. Boating Basics explores knowledge, equipment and understanding of the requirements necessary for boat use in Pennsylvania. Boating Regulations covers rules all boaters should know (including those governing life jackets.) There’s also information on general Boating Safety and applying for a Boating Safety Education Certificate and Course. Operation Safe Driver Week
You can expect some increased enforcement of traffic laws during Operation Safe Driver Week July 13-19. The purpose of the week is to reduce reckless, careless, or dangerous driving for both commercial and passenger vehicles. Targeted behaviors include speeding, distracted driving, following too closely, improper lane changes, failure to obey traffic devices, not using seat belts, and drunk or drugged driving. Drivers exhibiting dangerous behavior may receive a citation or warning, with increased enforcement on major routes.
For anyone who hasn’t already signed up to receive e-newsletters, you can get on the e-newsletter mailing list here. |
|||
|
|||
Want to change how you receive these emails? 2025 © Senate of Pennsylvania | https://senatormastriano.com | Privacy Policy |
