House OKs Congressional Redistricting Map, Review of State Maps Ongoing

A revised map of the state’s congressional districts was approved by the Pennsylvania House this week and now awaits action in the state Senate. The new map is required as part of the redistricting process mandated by the U.S. Constitution. Using data collected through the U.S. Census, every 10 years districts across the country must be redrawn to be nearly equal in population to ensure fair and equal representation in Congress. Pennsylvania’s population growth is slower than that of many other states according to the 2020 census. As a result, it will lose a congressional district seat – dropping from 18 seats to just 17. To view the congressional map, visit www.paredistricting.com.

The Commonwealth is also required to redraw its state House and Senate districts based on data from the census. Changes to these districts are NOT subject to the typical legislative process but are instead developed by a Legislative Reapportionment Commission. The commission approved preliminary maps and is now accepting public comment. The House Majority Policy Committee also held its second hearing on the House and Senate maps in Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County, earlier this week. The public comment period concludes on Tuesday, Jan. 18. To view the maps and submit feedback before the deadline, visit www.redistricting.state.pa.us.

Bill Aims to Ensure Clarity, Efficiency in Patient Test Results

The House unanimously approved legislation this week to better ensure clear and timely communication to patients of their medical test results. Currently, the Patient Test Result Information Act (Act 112 of 2018) requires imaging entities to directly notify the patient if the test results indicate significant abnormalities. Inconsistent interpretations of that term have led to unnecessary confusion and anxiety for some patients. House Bill 1280 removes the definition of "significant abnormality" from the law and instead requires diagnostic imaging entities to provide patients with written notice at the time of any imaging service. The notice shall state that the results of the test(s) will be sent to the ordering health care practitioner. If the ordering practitioner doesn’t reach out within 21 days or the electronic health records haven’t been updated, it is recommended that the patient follow up with the practitioner to discuss the results. The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.

PennDOT Seeking College Students to Fill Summer Jobs

PennDOT is looking to hire college students from May through August to supplement its permanent workforce. The job typically entails seasonal maintenance work and sign upgrade services, maintenance and custodial services at roadside rest facilities, and laboring and flagging duties in maintenance organizations and highway worksites. The hourly rate is $14.61. Interested applicants should contact my office by Friday, Feb. 18, and apply online at employment.pa.gov to the PennDOT College Student Summer Worker posting under the Open Jobs section.

Does Any of PA’s More Than $4 Billion in Unclaimed Property Belong to You?

The Pennsylvania Treasury estimates it is holding unclaimed property for about one in every 10 Pennsylvanians. Could it be you? My office has helped many of our constituents discover and claim thousands of dollars in unclaimed property. It’s quick and easy! Just visit Treasury’s free unclaimed property database. Unclaimed property may include dormant bank accounts, abandoned stocks, uncashed checks and more. Property is always available for the rightful owner to claim. Tangible property may be auctioned after three years, but proceeds remain available to claim in perpetuity. Military decorations and memorabilia – often turned over to Treasury from abandoned or forgotten safe deposit boxes – are never auctioned and remain in the vault for safekeeping until a veteran or their family is found. In 2021, Treasury returned more than $135 million in unclaimed property, along with 229 military decorations and memorabilia to veterans or their families. You never have to pay anyone to collect your unclaimed property. Simply claim it through Treasury’s website or contact my office for assistance.

PA Homeowner Assistance Fund Opens Feb. 1

Starting Feb. 1, applications will open for the Pennsylvania Homeowner Assistance Fund (PAHAF) to help those struggling with unforeseen financial hardships due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The PAHAF is for Pennsylvania homeowners whose household income is at or below 150% of the area median income (AMI) and need assistance to prevent and/or ease mortgage delinquencies, defaults, foreclosures, displacement and utility disconnection.

To be eligible, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Household income is equal to or less than 150% area median income (AMI), which varies by locality. Priority will be given to households at or below 100% AMI.
• Homeowner owns and occupies the property as their primary residence.
• Property is in Pennsylvania.
• Homeowner experienced a financial hardship after Jan. 21, 2020, including a hardship that began before Jan. 21, 2020, and continued after that date.
• Homeowner has not received the same assistance for mortgage payment, mortgage reinstatement, property charges, and/or utility payment from another federal, state, local, nonprofit or tribal source.
• Homeowner’s first mortgage is a conforming loan and meets the federal limits for the year in which the loan was taken.

Apply now for a 2022 Pennsylvania House Scholarship

High school seniors interested in receiving financial assistance to help pay for college can now apply for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives’ Scholarship. Each year the program awards a four-year scholarship to two students preparing for post-secondary education. It is open to graduating high school seniors who are Pennsylvania residents with plans to attend a Pennsylvania college, university or career school as a full-time student. To qualify, students must have attained a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average in high school. Other factors taken into consideration for the awards are a student’s commitment to community, leadership qualities, extracurricular activities and financial need. The scholarship program is administered through the Foundation for Enhancing Communities. Application deadline is March 1. The scholarship is privately funded by individual and corporate donors; no tax or other public funds are used. Scholarships are awarded through an independent panel of judges chosen by the foundation.