As the 2025-26 legislative session continues, I remain focused on advancing practical solutions that reflect the priorities of the people in our local neighborhoods and communities across Pennsylvania. While I am continuing to push forward on major initiatives like establishing a state-run insurance program for landslides and sinkholes, a universal school meals program, and legalizing adult-use cannabis, I am also working on new legislation aimed at protecting survivors of domestic violence, lowering costs for families, and reforming the juvenile justice system. Below are four measures I’m working on this year that would have a powerful, positive impact on everyday Pennsylvanians.
Strengthening Protection from Abuse Orders
A Protection from Abuse (PFA) order should serve as a powerful shield for survivors of domestic violence. Yet too often, abusers ignore these court orders and face consequences that amount to a slap on the wrist, leaving survivors vulnerable and forcing them to live in fear. House Bill 1908, legislation I’ve introduced with state Rep. Nate Davidson, D-Cumberland/Dauphin, would increase penalties if an individual violates a PFA repeatedly. Right now, if someone ignores this court order one or 50 times, the possible punishment is exactly the same and ultimately depends on the judge hearing the case. It also would require PFA violations be reported to a central police database so that law enforcement is aware if a person repeatedly ignores these orders. House Bill 1909, also introduced with Rep. Davidson which has passed the House and is awaiting consideration in the Senate, would strengthen enforcement of PFAs by increasing penalties for crimes committed against the protected person while the order is in effect, including harassment and stalking. The bill does not create new crimes or infringe on the rights of law-abiding gun owners. Instead, it ensures that when someone violates a court order and commits a crime against the person they are prohibited from harming, the consequences reflect the seriousness of that violation.
As a consistent advocate for criminal justice reform, I do not typically support expanding criminal penalties because enforcing what is already on the books is often more than sufficient to hold offenders accountable. However, survivors deserve confidence that the legal system will take their safety seriously and hold repeat offenders accountable. This legislation is a clear, commonsense step toward making PFAs the protection they were intended to provide.
Lowering costs for prescription drugs
Prescription drug prices are straining household budgets, and too many families encounter unexpected costs when they arrive at the pharmacy counter. Even when patients receive financial assistance to help cover their medications, predatory insurance practices exploiting a loophole can prevent that assistance from counting toward their deductibles or out-of-pocket limits.
I have introduced the Prescription Drug Copay Fairness Act to close this loophole by banning “copay accumulator” policies. These policies allow insurers to accept copay assistance funds without crediting them toward a patient’s cost-sharing obligations. As a result of this deductible double dipping, families can suddenly face the full cost of their medication once assistance runs out — often just a few months into the year. I am excited that Gov. Josh Shapiro has included this legislation as a priority in his 2026-27 state budget.
This legislation will not solve the immense challenges in our current health care system, but it is one step we can take toward making medicine more affordable. We must ensure that copay assistance actually reduces what patients owe, rather than allowing insurance companies to get paid twice.
Regulating kratom
Kratom is a psychoactive substance that acts on the same neuroreceptors as opioids and is currently unregulated in Pennsylvania. It has no age level restriction for sale and is widely available in convenience stores and smoke shops, often intentionally packaged or promoted in ways that appeal to children. In addition to carrying the same risk for overdose as opioids if taken in sufficient quantity, independent testing has shown that some of these unregulated kratom products contain undisclosed or toxic additives, and synthetic variants known as 7-OH pose even more serious health and overdose risks.
I have introduced House Bill 2058 with Rep. Jim Prokopiak, D-Bucks, to establish a regulatory framework for kratom to protect consumers. The bill would prohibit sales to individuals under 21, ban synthetic kratom products, require testing and clear labeling, and prohibit marketing that targets children.
Let me be clear, kratom has been used for thousands of years to treat pain, anxiety, and other ailments and has significant benefits when used responsibly in its natural form. But Pennsylvanians deserve clear, accurate information about any products they purchase. They deserve confidence that what they purchase is safe and free from toxic additives. And parents deserve reassurance that potentially addictive substances are not being marketed to their children and accessible sitting next to the candy and gum. These sensible guardrails would reduce harm and promote transparency in the marketplace.
Ending court fines and fees for juveniles
Did you know that an inability to pay fines is a leading reason that keeps young people entangled in the justice system? Not reoffending, not violating terms of supervision. Juvenile offenders, inherently, have the best chance of successfully rehabilitating but not if we keep them in the system indefinitely because they are too poor to get out.
House Bill 1385, a bill I introduced as part of a larger package of juvenile justice reforms, would eliminate most fines and fees for juveniles, while still prioritizing restitution for victims. This reform acknowledges both that it is the families and not the children, themselves, who are paying fines and fees, and that keeping a child in the justice system simply because their family cannot afford to pay does not promote accountability — it deepens inequality and limits future opportunities.
Pennsylvania’s juvenile justice system should be grounded in justice, not financial punishment. By focusing on rehabilitation, we can help young people move forward and foster safer communities. No child is born bad and no child’s future should hinge on their ability to pay a court bill.
Building progress together
Turning these bills into law takes sustained effort, partnership, and community engagement. I am proud to work with colleagues on both sides of the aisle, as well as advocates and residents, to move these priorities forward.
If you have thoughts on these bills or ideas for how state government can better serve our neighborhoods, I encourage you to call my office at (412) 321-5523, email [email protected], or visit us at 658 Lincoln Ave. in Bellevue.
