Latest news with #Schwank
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Pennsylvania Senator aims to codify abortion rights into law with new bills
PENNSYLVANIA (WTAJ) — A Pennsylvania Senator is aiming to protect abortion and women's health rights in the Commonwealth, citing the U.S. Supreme Court's (SCOTUS) decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health as a driving factor. The case was heard and struck down by SCOTUS in June 2022, when Roe v. Wade was overturned. More specifically, the decision concerning Dobbs declared that the U.S. Constitution confers no right to an abortion. Senator Judith Schwank (D-Berks) argued that this decision has led to total or near-total bans on abortion in many states in her newest legislation. Nearly one in three women aged 15 to 44 live in states where abortion is banned or mostly banned, according to Schwank's bill. Because of this, women are being denied 'urgent, and in some cases livesaving, medical care.' 'While we cannot prevent other states from criminalizing abortion, we can protect individuals seeking and providing reproductive health services in the Commonwealth,' Schwank wrote. 'We can take a stance against the use of our criminal justice system from assisting in those prosecutions.' Previously, former Governor Tom Wolf issued an executive order to protect persons seeking reproductive health care services in Pennsylvania and medical professionals offering those services from discipline in other states. However, the executive order needs paired legislation in order to be codified into law, which is what Schwank argued she is attempting to do. There are seven bills within Schwank's package, and they aim to do the following: Prohibit Pennsylvania courts from cooperating with out-of-state civil and criminal cases involving reproductive healthcare services; prevent officials from other states from arresting individuals in Pennsylvania for an abortion-related crime. Prohibit Pennsylvania courts from enforcing another state's judgment for a case involving the provision of reproductive healthcare services. Instruct our healthcare licensure boards not to take adverse action against providers who offer reproductive healthcare services to out-of-state residents. Instruct insurance companies not to take adverse action against providers who offer reproductive healthcare services to out-of-state residents. Protect Pennsylvania's abortion providers' home addresses from public discovery. Protect reproductive health care records from disclosure in Pennsylvania civil actions or criminal investigations. Shield healthcare providers by allowing doctors to request that only the address of the dispensing health care practice be listed on prescription labels, omitting the name of the individual prescriber or clinic. Schwank noted that the measures outlined in her package of bills would ensure that everybody within Pennsylvania borders is protected in their right to access an abortion and the doctors and nurses who provide it are freely able to do so. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Could Pennsylvania be next to ban plastic bags in stores?
PENNSYLVANIA (WTAJ) — Health and sustainability are what's behind the newest push to crack down on single-use plastics in Pennsylvania. According to a Senate memo, proposed legislation will soon be introduced to ban the use of plastic bags by retailers across the Commonwealth. Senator Judith Schwank shared that students in her district came to her advocating for a change. Plastic pollution not only hurts the environment but is also a threat to public health and community resources. 'Inhumane,' Could Pennsylvania be next to regulate the use of sticky traps? 'Single-use plastic bags are one of the most common sources of litter within our Commonwealth. Plastic bags degrade slowly—often over hundreds of years—and frequently break down into harmful microplastics. These microplastics have been detected in drinking water, wildlife, and even human blood and brain tissue, raising serious health concerns,' Schwank said. The bill itself would ban retailers from providing plastic bags at checkouts and instead ask them to offer paper bags for a small fee or push for customers to bring their own reusable bags. The bill would create exemptions for things like produce, frozen foods and prescription medications. 'The time has come to enact statewide policy addressing the consequences and harmful impacts of single-use plastics,' Schwank wrote. The push to get rid of plastic bags at the checkout is not one that's new. ALDI has already phased out plastic, and there have been pushes from Walmart in other states to drop the plastic and move to something more sustainable. According to the National Conference on State Legislation, eight states have already banned plastic bags and enacted fees for shoppers who need recycled bags at checkout. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Senator's bill could change Pennsylvania state song
PENNSYLVANIA (WTAJ) — A Senator announced a bill that could designate a new state song for Pennsylvania. The bill, introduced by Senator Judith Schwank (D – Berks), would change the current Pennsylvania song from 'Pennsylvania' by Eddie Khoury and Ronnie Bonner to 'My Pennsylvania Home' by Dave Kline. Schwank noted that Kline is a born and raised Pennsylvanian composer who has served as an international music ambassador for Pennsylvania for more than three decades. ''My Pennsylvania Home' celebrates our deep folk roots and captures the beauty of nature within our Commonwealth,' Schwank wrote. 'Dave's song serves as a reminder to the wandering Pennsylvanian that no matter how far they roam, they'll 'always remember the snowflakes and the spring days in the heartland of our Pennsylvania home'.' 'Pennsylvania' by Khoury and Bonner has been the song of the Commonwealth since November 1990. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
