Pennycuick, PA Senate Urge Congress to Pass the TREAT PTSD Act

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HARRISBURG – The state Senate today adopted a measure sponsored by Sen. Tracy Pennycuick (R-24) urging Congress to provide lifesaving therapy to Americans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Senate Resolution 311 calls on Congress to pass the Treatment and Relief through Emerging and Accessible Therapy for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Act, also known as the TREAT PTSD Act.

The TREAT PTSD Act would require the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and U.S. Department of Defense to provide veterans suffering from PTSD with access to a lifesaving therapy known as stellate ganglion block (SGB). SGB works by applying an injection into the bundle of nerves that send signals of fight or flight to the body. The treatment relieves feelings of stress quickly for those with PTSD and provides them with a renewed chance to heal. This procedure has been used for nearly 100 years for pain conditions, including shingles and phantom limb pain.
 
“Our veterans who suffer from trauma deserve the best available care,” said Pennycuick, a U.S. Army combat veteran. “The battle isn’t over for them. Congress must approve the TREAT PTSD Act to provide this critical therapy and send the message that we’re not leaving any of our fighting men and women behind.”

The federal legislation, H.R. 3023, is now before the U.S. House Subcommittee on Health. 

WATCH: Sen. Pennycuick urges action on the TREAT PTSD Act.

CONTACT: Matt Szuchyt (717) 787-3110

Robinson Bill to Improve Nonprofit Fundraising Approved by Senate of Pennsylvania

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HARRISBURG – Legislation introduced by Sen. Devlin Robinson (R-37) to help nonprofit organizations improve their fundraising efforts was approved today by the Senate.

Senate Bill 667 would modernize the small games of chance law by allowing nonprofit organizations to use mobile or online payment services, such as Paypal or Venmo. Currently, only cash and checks are permitted under state law. The bill would not allow for online play or live drawings.

“I’ve heard from several nonprofits in Allegheny County regarding the need for this legislation, which recognizes the reality of today’s world.  People carry less cash, but they still want to give,” Robinson said. “Nonprofits – such as volunteer fire departments and youth sports teams – should have the ability to accept donations in the ways that people want to pay. By updating these outdated rules, we’re giving these organizations a fighting chance to sustain their vital missions as they serve our communities.”

The legislation now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.

 

CONTACT:
Kevin Battle

Meeting to consider SB 1306 and SB 1317

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Senate Judiciary Committee

Tuesday, September 17, 2024 | 11:30 a.m.

Senate Majority Caucus Room

Agenda

  • Senate Bill 1306, P.N. 1860 (Baker) – Amends Title 23 (Domestic Relations) to require that the fees for the service of PFA orders be distributed to the law enforcement agency who serves the defendant with a copy of the order.
    • Amendment No. 05604 (Baker) – Technical amendment. 
  • Senate Bill 1317, P.N. 1872 (Baker/Martin) – Amends Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) to classify the crime of Sexual Assault by a Sports Official, Volunteer or Employee of a Nonprofit Association as a Tier II sexual offense under the Sexual Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA).

Press Conference to Honor Hunger Action Month

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Senator Elder Vogel (R-47) and Rep. Emily Kinkead (D-20), co-chairs of the Hunger Caucus, will join local and state leaders Tuesday, Sept. 17 at 9:30 a.m. in the Capitol Rotunda to shed light on the impacts of food insecurity in Pennsylvania, how the state is involved in addressing and spreading awareness about hunger, and to recognize September 2024 as Hunger Action Month.

Press conference participants include:

  • Sen. Elder Vogel
  • Rep. Emily Kinkead
  • Secretary Russell Redding, Department of Agriculture
  • Secretary Valerie Arkoosh, Department of Human Services
  • Julie Bancroft, CEO, Feeding Pennsylvania
  • Joe Arthur, CEO, Central Pennsylvania Food Bank
  • Randy Ferguson, Executive Director, Hunters Sharing the Harvest

Patriot Day Remembrance Service

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Mastriano, who serves as chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, is hosting the ceremony to commemorate the lives lost through the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001 in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Somerset County, Pennsylvania. The ceremony will include the recitation of the names of the crew and passengers from the United Airlines Flight 93 crash in western Pennsylvania.

Additional participants in the ceremony will include:

  1. Sen. Pat Stefano (R-32).
  2. Sen. Devlin Robinson (R-37).
  3. Sept. 11 National Memorial Trail Alliance President Jeffrey McCauley.
  4. Sept. 11 National Memorial Trial Alliance Board President Matt Harris.
  5. Rob O’Donnell, WILK Radio host and former New York Police Department detective.
  6. Chief Barry Albertson, UPMC Community Life Team EMS.
  7. American Legion Post No. 272, Linglestown.
  8. Rabbi Mitch Triestman, chaplain, VFW post 6393, Yardley.
  9. Jaymie Bellet, singer, for the “National Anthem” and “God Bless America.”

Meeting to consider SB 1131 and SB 1289; and HB 2160, HB 2265 and HB 2288

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Senate Local Government Committee

Tuesday, September 17, 2024 | 10:30 a.m.

Room 461, MCB

Agenda

Call to Order

  • SB 1131 (Comitta) – Amends Title 8 (Boroughs) to streamline the process for filling vacancies in certain borough offices.
    • Amendment A05603 (Brown) – Prohibits the vacancy board chair from voting for themselves to fill any vacancy.     
  • SB 1289 (Kearney) – Amends the Second Class Township Code to streamline the process for filling vacancies in certain township offices.
  • HB 2160 (Sappey) – Amends the First Class Township Code to streamline the process for filling vacancies in certain township offices.    
  • HB 2265 (Donahue) – Amends Title 8 (Boroughs) regarding the compensation of borough council members and mayors.
  • HB 2288 (Marshall) – Amends the Second Class Township Code regarding the compensation of township supervisors.

Recess to the Call of the Chair

Hearing on waste to fuels

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Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee

Wednesday, September 18, 2024 | 9:30 a.m.

Senate Majority Caucus Room

Agenda

I. Call to Order

II. Opening comments from Senator Yaw, Senator Comitta

III. Agenda

     Panel 1: Feedstock Sources
     Grant Gulibon, Regulatory Affairs Specialist, PA Farm Bureau

     Michael Jensen, Sr. Counsel/Director of Regulatory Affairs, Waste Management

     Gary Cordier, Senior Vice President of Grain and Oilseed Perdue, AgriBusiness

     Panel 2: Fuels/Developer
     Jason Lawrence, Senior Business Development, Team Lead Fuel Sales,
     Chevron Renewable Energy Group

     John Cook, Sr. Manager, Business Development, UGI Energy Services

     Geoff Moody, Senior Vice President of Government Relations & Policy, American
     Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers

     Panel 3: End User
     Owen O’Neil, Executive Director Lehigh & Northampton Transit Authority

     Ryan Banker, Director of Sustainability UPS

     Andy McDowell, Petroleum Products Manager Sheetz Inc.

     Dan Lapato, Associate Vice President, State Gov. Affairs American Gas
     Association

IV. Closing remarks

V. Adjourn

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