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In this Update:
Langerholc Hosts Cambria County Senior Expo
A big thank you to everyone who attended my 2024 Cambria County Senior Expo last week! Autonomous Aviation Research Consortium for Healthcare Innovation and Education Empowerment
Last week, I joined Congressman G.T. Thompson, PA Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman, State Rep. Jim Rigby, and State Rep. Dallas Kephart at a meeting of the Autonomous Aviation Research Consortium for Healthcare Innovation and Education Empowerment (AARCHIEE) in Johnstown. This meeting highlighted the impact of drone technology and research on the medical industry. Senate Transportation Committee Advances Langerholc Bill to Establish Interstate Drone Compact
This week, the Senate Transportation Committee unanimously approved my bill, Senate Bill 1338, which would establish an interstate compact with other states leading national research into the development and deployment of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), otherwise known as drones. Thanks to the leadership of the Cambria County Department of Emergency Services, the John Murtha Johnstown-Cambria County Airport, Nulton Aviation Services, Saint Francis University, and many other regional partners, Cambria County is moving rapidly to the forefront of UAS research. Langerholc Tours Blacklick Creek Treatment Facility
This week, I toured the Blacklick Creek Treatment Facility. Once operational, this facility will restore 25 miles of stream along the Ghost Town Trail. Upcoming Veteran’s Appreciation Breakfasts
This month, I will be hosting Veterans Appreciation Breakfasts across the 35th Senatorial District. If you are a veteran in Clearfield County or within the 35th Senatorial District of Centre County, you are inviting to my annual Veterans Appreciation Breakfast on October 24, 2024, at the VFW Post 1785 in Clearfield. The doors open at 8am. Please use the following link or call my office to register for this breakfast: https://www.senatorlangerholc.com/vet-breakfast-clearfield/
If you are a veteran in Cambria County, you are inviting to my annual Veterans Appreciation Breakfast on October 29, 2024, at the Young Peoples Community Center in Ebensburg. The doors open at 8am. Please use the following link or call my office to register: https://www.senatorlangerholc.com/vet-breakfast-cambria/ If you have any questions or would like to register, please contact my office at 814-266-2277. Upcoming License Plate Replacement Events
I will be holding multiple license plate replacement events across the 35th District this month. If your license plate is damaged and needs to be replaced, stop by one of my upcoming events to receive help from my office in replacing your plate for free! A police officer will be present at each event to sign off on the replacement applications. If you have any questions or cannot attend one of these events and need your plate replaced, feel free to contact my office at 814-266-2277. Legislation to Combat AI-Generated Deepfake Images of Minors in PA Set for Enactment
Legislation to combat “deepfake” images of minors and child sexual abuse materials generated by artificial intelligence (AI) received final legislative approval and is set for enactment into law. Senate Bill 1213 addresses the alarming rise in AI-generated deepfake sexual images of children and non-consenting adults. Currently, Pennsylvania law makes it illegal to share intimate images without consent but does not clearly address the use of AI deepfake technology for this purpose. This gap in our law leaves many vulnerable to a new form of digital abuse. The bill also prohibits AI from being utilized to generate child sexual abuse material, previously referred to as “child pornography,” which is not currently prohibited under law. In August, police in Lancaster County launched an investigation into a case of artificially generated nude photos that use the faces of more than 20 female teenage students. The district attorney said that in some cases charges can’t be filed because the images don’t involve actual children. Senate Bill 1213 seeks to close that loophole. Senate Committee Votes to be Prepared for Natural Disasters
As hurricanes Helene and Milton remind us of the importance of being prepared to respond to natural disasters and other emergencies, the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee advanced three bills to support Pennsylvania’s emergency responders. All three bills now advance to the full Senate for consideration. House Bill 843 would establish a second urban search and rescue team in western Pennsylvania. Funding for the team was included in this year’s state budget. The bridge collapse and East Palestine train derailment demonstrated the need for emergency response in minutes, not hours. House Bill 1304 would update the language in the 911 Law to increase penalties for misuse of the 911 system and ensure communications service providers report service outages as specified by the Federal Communications Commission or Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission. House Bill 2407 would update the state Fire and EMS Grant Program by enabling fire and EMS companies to use grants for preventative health measures, mental health awareness and treatment. The legislation also would allow testing after each of the four training modules that total 188 hours for the Firefighter 1 certification, as opposed to requiring firefighters to pass a cumulative test covering all modules as is currently the case. Finally, the bill would increase the thresholds that fire and EMS companies can borrow from the low-interest Fire and EMS Loan Program. What Do You Think of PennDOT’s Construction and Maintenance Services?
Motorists have until Tuesday, Oct. 22, to provide feedback regarding PennDOT’s construction and maintenance services via an online survey. The survey asks respondents how they receive PennDOT roadway information and how often PennDOT meets or exceeds expectations regarding construction and maintenance services. Respondents are also asked about experiences with reporting concerns to their department, and whether or how they use the state’s 511PA traveler information services. Act 1 of 2023
Act 1 of 2023, a landmark law we passed in Pennsylvania, eliminates all costs associated with screening breast MRI, ultrasound, genetic testing and counseling for individuals at high risk of breast cancer who are insured under state-regulated plans. High-risk factors include a personal or family history of breast cancer, abnormal breast screenings or dense breast tissue. Individuals with gene mutations like BRCA1 or BRCA2, or those with a first-degree relative carrying these mutations, are also covered for additional screenings and genetic counseling. The law will be fully in effect for all state-regulated insurance plans by the end of 2025, though many plans will begin coverage between 2024 and 2025. To find out if your plan qualifies, check with your insurer or employer’s human resources. For uninsured or underinsured women who need immediate screenings, Pennsylvania offers no-cost options through the Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program.
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