(12/2024) New Law Aims to Boost Early Literacy
Recognizing reading as the foundation of education success, I am pleased to report legislation I supported in the House to boost early literacy has been signed into law. Statistics show half of Pennsylvania fourth graders are reading below their grade level. In fact, results of the Future Ready PA Index, released earlier this week, show a decrease from 54.5% to 53.9% proficiency in English Language Arts. Proficiency rates in math and science increased slightly.
Since childhood reading difficulties can produce long-term effects and limit our children’s chances at success, it is important we are proactive in advancing child literacy and intervening with students who may need additional help.
Act 135 of 2024 requires the Department of Education to develop and maintain a list of evidence-based reading curricula on its website that must be aligned with academic standards and the science of reading. It also requires the creation of a Reading Leadership Council to develop and maintain lists of approved reading instruction curricula, structured literacy professional development training programs, universal reading screeners and structured literacy intervention approaches. The law takes effect in 90 days.
Heating Assistance Program Now Open
With cold weather finally on its way, residents who struggle with their home heating bills are reminded they can now apply for help through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). LIHEAP is a federally funded program that helps individuals and families pay their heating bills through home heating energy assistance grants. It also provides crisis grants to help in the event of an emergency or if a resident is in danger of losing his or her heat due to broken equipment, lack of fuel or termination of utility service. The income eligibility guidelines for LIHEAP are set at 150% of the federal poverty income level. For example, the gross income limit for an individual is $22,590 and for a family of four it is $46,800.
Residents may apply for LIHEAP online at compass.state.pa.us, by phone at 1-866-550-4355 or by contacting the County Assistance Office in their county of residence. Click here for additional information. The program runs through April 4.
Juvenile Justice Reforms Become Law
Two new laws adopted by the General Assembly aim to help ensure the juvenile justice system is working as it should to protect public safety and hold offenders accountable. The laws also aim to prevent juvenile crime.
Act 107 of 2024 requires more frequent review hearings of juvenile offenders in detention centers to determine whether their progress is consistent with the placement plan. The hearings will occur every three months instead of every nine months.
Act 108 of 2024 addresses how juveniles can seek expungement of their criminal record. Previously, a juvenile was eligible for expungement for most misdemeanor crimes after waiting five years. The new law reduced the wait time to two years. It is still a five-year wait for those convicted of felonies, misdemeanor firearms crimes and indecent assault.
Both laws are based on recommendations made by Pennsylvania’s Juvenile Justice Task Force.
‘Tis the Season’ to Watch for Deer
With deer becoming increasingly active between dawn and dusk, and daylight-saving time putting more vehicles on the road during those times, the Pennsylvania Game Commission is reminding motorists to slow down and be alert. Pennsylvania drivers face some of the highest risks of vehicle collision with a deer or other large animal. In fact, a recent report shows Pennsylvania led the country in animal-collision insurance claims in fiscal year 2023-24.
To reduce your chances of a collision with deer, stay alert – especially in "Deer Crossing" areas. Deer tend to travel in family groups, so if you see one deer, more are likely near. For more information about what to do if you hit a deer, click here. To report a dead deer for removal from state roads, motorists can call the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation at 1-800-FIX-ROAD. If the deer is on a locally owned road, contact the appropriate municipality.
Hunters Can Share Their Harvest
The state Department of Agriculture and Pennsylvania Game Commission are again encouraging hunters to consider sharing their deer harvest to provide thousands of pounds of venison to people in need. Hunters Sharing the Harvest (HSH) is Pennsylvania’s venison donation program for hunters who share their extra venison via a statewide network of participating meat processors to food pantries and community assistance centers across the Commonwealth. One deer provides about 200 servings of high-protein, low-fat venison. HSH has distributed 2.5 million pounds of donated venison since 1991. More information about the program and how to participate is available at sharedeer.org.
