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Brown’s Bill Expanding Maternal Health Care Approved by Committee
I am pleased to share that my legislation, Senate Bill 507, which would establish a certified midwife license in Pennsylvania, was recently approved by the Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee. This marks an important step forward in addressing gaps in maternal health care across our Commonwealth. This bill introduces a new certification for midwives, allowing them to practice independently under specific conditions. It also outlines the necessary educational requirements and clarifies when certified midwives may prescribe medications, including controlled substances. Certified midwives play a vital role in women’s health. They not only provide care during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum, but also offer routine reproductive care such as prenatal services, clinical examinations, screenings, and education for new mothers. In many cases, midwives are on the front lines, identifying high-risk pregnancies and supporting women throughout their journey into motherhood. Unfortunately, many counties in Pennsylvania face severe shortages of OB-GYNs and licensed midwives. These shortages leave families without adequate care and place unnecessary strain on the providers we do have. By creating a pathway for certified midwives to practice, we can expand access to maternal health care and ensure women and families receive the high-quality care they deserve. Senate Bill 507 has received bipartisan support and now advances to the full Senate for consideration. I look forward to continuing this work to strengthen maternal health care access for all Pennsylvanians. Treasury Announces Short-Term Funding for Head Start, County Services
The Pennsylvania Treasury Department will make $500 million available for Pennsylvania’s Head Start providers and county governments, helping to keep essential services funded while the 2025-26 state budget is finalized. The funds will be distributed via short-term, investment loans which recipients will be required to pay back following enactment of a state budget. Treasurer Stacy Garrity said that to be eligible for this program, Head Start providers and county governments must indicate the investment will be used for immediate operating expenses. More information is available from the Pennsylvania Treasury Department. Remembering the Police Officers Killed in Line of Duty
Three police officers were killed and two wounded serving a warrant Sept. 17 in York County, a heartbreaking reminder of the risk faced every day by those standing on the thin blue line between order and chaos. The fallen officers, Detective Mark Baker, Sgt. Detective Cody Becker and Detective Isaiah Emenheiser, were members of the Northern York County Regional Police Department. Their shocking deaths highlight how crucial it is to stand behind law enforcement officers and give them the tools and support they need to serve communities in the safest manner possible. May their families find comfort in this incredibly trying time. Scenes from the 40th District
This week’s photo winner is courtesy of Kim of Bartonsville, of a beautiful fall closeup! This photo has been shared on my social media and posted to the 40th Senatorial District Photo Gallery. Interested in showcasing your photography skills? I am inviting residents of the 40th Senatorial District to share their photography and help capture the beauty and character of our community. Whether it’s a stunning landscape, a lively community event, or a cherished historical landmark, I encourage you to submit photos that highlight the unique aspects of our district, which includes parts of Lackawanna and Wayne counties, and all of Monroe County. Click here to submit your work and learn more. Open Government: How to Access Senate Bills, Votes and More
Pennsylvania Senate votes, debates, bills and much more can be accessed via the General Assembly’s website. Citizens can learn who represents them, read bills and amendments, review text of floor debates in the official Senate Journals, and see how senators voted on bills in committee and before the full Senate. The committee meeting schedule is also available, along with co-sponsorship memos and monthly expense reports for each senator. Senate sessions are livestreamed, and video from previous sessions is available back to Jan. 2025. Pennsylvania statutes (our state laws), the state constitution, recently enacted laws, rules and regulations (PA Code), the PA Bulletin, and more can be viewed by going to the Statutes section. Lackawanna County Senior Expo is a Success!
Last week, we hosted the joint Annual Lackawanna County Senior Expo at the Marketplace at Steamtown in Scranton! In conjunction with my colleagues Senator Flynn, Rep. Donahue, Rep. Haddock, Rep. Kosierowski, Rep. Mullins, and the Lackawanna County Commissioners, this event was a great success! This was another great opportunity for constituents to get out and meet all our Lackawanna County legislators and learn so much from the over 90 vendors in attendance. A special thank you to the Lackawanna County Area Agency on Aging for all their work in putting the day together! You can see all my pictures from the day here! Tobyhanna Army Depot Legislative Day
In partnership with the Northeastern Pennsylvania Alliance, the Tobyhanna Army Depot hosted Pennsylvania State legislators and staff for an orientation visit earlier this week. We were able to see firsthand how Tobyhanna’s modern facilities, highly skilled workforce from around the Commonwealth, and evolving missions – including drone delivery – deliver superior readiness across the joint forces. Thank you to Team Tobyhanna at the Army Depot for showing us strong regional partnership throughout the community and the support given to American warriors. We continue to bolster the force and the community around us. Visit Ritter’s Cider Mill!
Had such a fun visit and tour last week of Ritter’s Cider Mill last week in Jefferson Township! I have been meaning to stop by this great local business for quite some time, and I was so glad to be able to meet all those who make this place run! They are open 7 days a week from Labor Day until Christmas Eve, have fun interactive activities for the whole family, top quality products, and so much more! This weekend they even have the Jefferson Township Volunteer Fire Department stopping by for a Touch a Truck event…check them out!
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