Senate approves 7 bills to combat opioid crisis, tune in to CBS 21 interview on Sunday at 8:30 a.m., and more!

In this update:

Senate approves comprehensive package to address opioid crisis in Pennsylvania
New option for school districts to address unplanned closures moves closer to gov’s desk
Face the State interview on CBS 21 set for Sunday at 8:30 a.m.
Keystone Girls and Boys State learn about civics, government and politics in weeklong program
Voters will have a say in victims’ rights with passage of proposed constitutional amendment
Welcoming Lincoln Charter School to the Capitol
Do you need a PA boater safety course? Find out!
Upcoming PennDOT projects
On deck

Senate approves comprehensive package to address opioid crisis in Pennsylvania

This week, the Senate took action on several proposals aimed at curbing opioid abuse. The package builds on recently enacted reforms and laws designed to prevent more lives from being lost to addiction.

The package included seven bills, two of which I sponsored based on local feedback and suggestions from those on the front lines of the opioid crisis in York County.

My thanks goes out to the local EMS providers who gave me the suggestion to provide them the legal authority to leave behind a dose of the life-saving drug naloxone. Several years ago, Southern York EMS wanted to have the ability to leave behind the life-saving drug with a caregiver of someone who overdosed after responding to a call.

Governor Wolf recently signed his sixth renewal of the opioid disaster declaration, which, as part of the order, allows EMS providers to leave behind naloxone. Knowing that we will not always be operating under a disaster declaration, we need to enact this measure into law to protect families of individuals of overdose victims by giving EMS providers this additional option and resources to best serve the public.

My other bill in the package will allow Medicaid Managed Care Organizations to access the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP). The PDMP was created in 2014 in one of the earlier reforms to monitor and curb opioid overprescribing. Allowing the MCOs to access this will not only provide greater oversight but it will also prevent fraud.

You can learn more about my two bills here.

Find out more about the entire Senate package addressing our state’s opioid crisis here.

You can watch this short four-minute video with a summary of the Senate’s efforts below.

New option for school districts to address unplanned closures moves closer to gov’s desk

The House Education Committee approved my legislation that will give school districts the option to implement flexible instructional days.

My plan codifies a three-year pilot program under the Department of Education for schools to have the option to use up to five flexible instructional days during unplanned closures (e.g., snow day, mold outbreak, heating/AC issues, threats, etc.). The program provides for the continuity of education for students from home using technology or other resources.

Right now, the department is winding down its pilot program with 12 schools across the state, including Red Lion Area School District and Central York School District.

Read more about my option to help our schools address unplanned closures here.

Face the State interview on CBS 21 set for Sunday at 8:30 a.m.

Set your DVR or tune in to CBS 21 at 8:30 on Sunday morning. I will be the guest on Face the State with Robb Hanrahan. Our wide-ranging interview covers some of the issues I am working on as well as my priorities later this session.

Charlie Gerow and former Lt. Governor Mark Singel also ask me questions on the latest developments with the state budget and other issues important to the residents of the 28th District.

I hope you can tune in, and please let me know what you think! You can view some behind-the-scenes photos of my interview on Instagram here.

Keystone Girls and Boys State learn about civics, government and politics in weeklong program

As part of their weeklong summer program, the American Legion Keystone Boys State and Keystone Girls State citizens from York County and Central Pennsylvania stopped by for a meeting in my Capitol office.

It was nice seeing so many young men and women participating in such an important program. A few years ago, I participated in a similar program, which piqued my interest in the political process.

Best of luck to the Boys State and Girls State citizens in your program and future endeavors!

If you or someone you know is interested in this program for rising high school seniors, please check out the respective programs here: Girls State | Boys State

Voters will have a say in victims’ rights with passage of proposed constitutional amendment

As a proponent of protecting victims and their rights, I was pleased to see the Senate take action this week on legislation known as “Marsy’s Law.”

Marsy’s Law is a proposed amendment to the Pennsylvania Constitution to include a crime victims’ bill of rights in our state’s constitution. Since it is an amendment to the constitution, the voters will have the final say this fall as to whether or not to approve of a crime victims’ bill of rights in our state’s constitution.

York County District Attorney Dave Sunday and Becca Zelner, who are both champions of Marsy’s Law, presented me with the “Guardian of Victims’ Rights Award” this week. I am extremely humbled for this award, but give all of the credit to victims who have bravely come forward to advocate for these reforms.

Learn more about what this proposed constitutional amendment means here.

Welcoming Lincoln Charter School to the Capitol

On Thursday, I welcomed students and teachers from Lincoln Charter School of York to the state Capitol.

It was great to see so many familiar faces during a busy session week leading up to the closing days of our 2018-2019 fiscal year, which concludes June 30.

Do you need a PA boater safety course? Find out!

Pennsylvania Boater Safety Courses are required for those born after January 1, 1982 to operate boats powered by motors greater than 25 horsepower, according to the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission (PF&BC).

The lifetime certificate may be earned through successful completion of an approved course, including classroom instruction, online courses, or a home-study video-based course.

The PF&BC-issued Boating Safety Education Certificate includes a waterproof plastic card with a hole to attach it to your life jacket, boat keys or lanyard.

Upcoming PennDOT projects

Next week, PennDOT will begin preparatory work on a project to resurface two sections of Route 24 in York County. You can read the details of this upcoming project, scheduled to start on Thursday, June 27, here.

On deck

The Senate of Pennsylvania reconvenes for voting on Monday, June 24 at 1 p.m.

You can find out more about next week’s Senate session by visiting www.SenatorKristin.com/session.

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