HARRISBURG, May 2 – Today, the Fairness Act (H.B. 300) passed out of the Pennsylvania House and is headed to the Senate for a future vote. Below is a quote that can be attributed to the co-prime sponsors of this bill: Reps. Malcolm Kenyatta, D-Phila; Jessica Benham, Dan Frankel and La’Tasha D. Mayes, all D-Allegheny; Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster; and Greg Scott, D-Montgomery. “Today is a historic day, as we take a critical step to make Pennsylvania fairer. The Fairness Act is as simple as it is substantive. H.B. 300 would protect LGBTQ+ Pennsylvanians from facing discrimination and allow all individuals in the commonwealth to file complaints with the PA Human Relations Commission. “Now, we call on the Senate to quickly consider and pass this legislation and send it to Governor Shapiro’s desk.” Read more
“Family members and survivors of the Oct. 27th attack live with those events every single day, and the court proceedings and media attention they generate stand to intensify those painful memories,” said Frankel, D-Allegheny. “We can’t erase the trauma for those hurting, but by wearing this ribbon, we can let them know that we stand with them and wish them strength." Read more
Learn more about the bipartisan bills we passed this week, the laws we introduced to combat hate crimes, the steps we took to strengthen LGBTQ+ rights, the commonsense gun regulation measures we advanced, and more! Read more
“Under Democratic leadership, we can finally have research-based conversations and actual votes about life-saving measures that would allow our constituents to move through their lives without fear for themselves and their children," Frankel said. Read more
HARRISBURG, April 26 – Today, the PA House LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus, chaired by state Reps. Malcolm Kenyatta, D-Phila., and Jessica Benham, D-Allegheny, held a rally on the PA Capitol steps in Harrisburg promoting the Fairness Act (H.B. 300), anti-discrimination legislation currently moving through the state House. House Bill 300 would prohibit discrimination in PA based on sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity/expression. On Monday, the bill was voted out of the House Judiciary Committee and is headed for an eventual vote by the full House. Today’s rally saw a huge turnout of legislators, advocates and the public. Kenyatta and Benham were joined by the other co-prime sponsors of H.B. 300, state Reps. Dan Frankel and Latasha D. Mayes, both D-Allegheny; Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster; and Greg Scott, D-Montgomery; to speak on their bill. “Pennsylvania is better when it’s fairer. Passing the Fairness Act is the right thing to do for our families, our commonwealth and for our economy. This legislation was first introduced 22 years ago -- leaving committee once before -- and never receiving a full vote,” Kenyatta said. “It’s time for that to change. Pennsylvanians are good and decent people. They know every single one of us should be treated with dignity and respect. We have a chance to deliver on that basic principle and we will.” “The Fairness Act is as Read more
HARRISBURG, April 25 – As part of his ongoing effort to increase access to health care, Health Committee Chairman Dan Frankel began gathering support Tuesday for legislation that would establish teledentistry and require insurance plans to cover it. “Adults and children throughout this commonwealth are not getting the dental care they need, which sets them up for years of pain and additional health consequences,” said Frankel, D-Allegheny. “My legislation would ensure that dental providers are able to use every tool to get that care to the patients most at risk for unmet dental needs, including rural and low-income populations.” Frankel announced the legislation in an address to the Pennsylvania Coalition for Oral Health, which brings together individuals from schools of public health, philanthropic organizations, businesses, dental organizations, health insurance firms, advocacy organizations and state agencies to advocate for improved oral health care in Pennsylvania. His memo to legislators, seeking cosponsors, can be found here . Read more
“Every single district in Pennsylvania has LGBTQ+ people living there, and many more who want to live in an inclusive and fair commonwealth.” Read more
HARRISBURG, April 24 – Today, The Fairness Act (H.B. 300) was voted out of the House Judiciary Committee 12-9 and will now head to the House floor for a vote. Prime sponsors of the bill, state Reps. Malcolm Kenyatta, D-Phila; Jessica Benham, Dan Frankel and Latasha D. Mayes, all D-Allegheny; Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster; and Greg Scott, D-Montgomery; issued the following statement following the Judiciary Committee vote. “The Fairness Act has been in the works for years and never received fair consideration. With today’s vote in the Judiciary Committee, we took a huge step toward making Pennsylvania fairer for our LGBTQ+ residents. “As H.B. 300 heads to the house floor for a vote, we are ready to defend the rights of LGBTQ+ Pennsylvanians. “Most Pennsylvanians believe what we believe; Pennsylvania is better when it’s fairer. We hope our colleagues in the House can see eye to eye with us and most Pennsylvanians, so they can meet this monumental moment for our commonwealth and pass H.B 300 out of the House and to the Senate.” Read more
“Pennsylvania cannot address the growing danger of hate crimes with 40-year-old laws. It’s long past time for this commonwealth to use every tool out to there to deter and identify these crimes, and to stop them before they start,” Frankel said. Read more
Learn more about an upcoming press conference to stand against hate, my walk with UpstreamPGH about the future of Fern Hollow Valley and more! Read more
HARRISBURG, April 13 – Today, the Fairness Act , whose prime sponsors are state Reps. Malcolm Kenyatta, D-Phila.; Jessica Benham, Dan Frankel and Latasha D. Mayes, all D-Allegheny; Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster; and Greg Scott, D-Montgomery, was introduced as H.B. 300. The following joint statement can be attributed to the members listed above: “Every single Pennsylvanian deserves to live with dignity and respect. For far too long, LGBTQ+ folks across the commonwealth have faced horrific discrimination for who they love, how they identify and who they are. “In 2020, in the landmark decision of Bostock v. Clayton County, the United States Supreme Court ruled that an employer cannot discriminate against an individual because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. While this decision was a historic victory for civil rights, it does not prevent someone in our state who identifies as LGBTQ+ from being denied housing, education or access to public accommodations. These protections must be codified into law. “Lack of a comprehensive anti-discrimination law in Pennsylvania is a deterrent for workers and businesses who could help grow our economy, and its passage is long overdue. Discrimination in any form degrades us all. We can and must do better. “That is why we are introducing the Fairness Act (H.B.300) to prohibit discrimination in our state based on sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression. “We Read more
On Wednesday, the House Health Committee held a hearing on my legislation to create a Pharmaceutical Affordability Board in Pennsylvania. Read more
“We are deeply proud of our vibrant, diverse community in Pittsburgh,” said Representative Dan Frankel. Read more
On Wednesday, I introduced legislation to ensure parents and guardians of gender-diverse children are not investigated or punished for getting evidence-based, patient-appropriate care for their children. Read more
“A description of early abortion care and care for a miscarriage would show that the two are indistinguishable. They use the exact same medications and the exact same process,” House Majority Health Committee Chairman Dan Frankel said. “When providers are trained to manage a miscarriage, they are learning how to provide abortion care. The fact that some clinicians are then prevented from using that expertise is clearly based on ideology. Frankly, nurses and midwives would be as thoughtful and professional in providing abortion care as the doctors that are currently allowed to do so.” Read more
The Pennsylvania Jewish Legislative Caucus will work to incorporate the perspectives and needs of Pennsylvania’s Jewish communities in legislation passed by the General Assembly. Read more
Says budget addresses many pressing issues across Pennsylvania Read more
Says access to health care, lowering costs are key issues in years ahead Read more
“I’m always proud to introduce colleagues and friends to some of the great resources located in the heart of my legislative district,” co-host Rep. Dan Frankel said. “Phipps has been a leader in green innovation, opting to make changes 20 years ago that some organizations and businesses are finally accepting today, including the creation of three of the greenest buildings in the world.” Read more
Vows to work to prevent gun violence and provide services to those affected by it Read more
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