Rep Melissa Shusterman’s Legislation
2025 – 2026 Enacted Into Law
HB1058 reduces the state lottery’s profit margin requirement which means there will be more profit to benefit senior programs such as property tax and rent rebates; free and reduced-fare transportation services; the low-cost prescription programs PACE and PACENET; care services; and local services provided by the 52 Area Agencies on Aging.
In Person Cyber Charter check-in requirements. Shusterman’s proposed bill was included in the 2025 Cyber Charter Reforms Bills passed into law.This ensures the well-being of students and verifies participation.
Child & Dependent Care Tax Credit – matches the federal tax credit. This expanded tax credit has now been included in each of the annual state budgets since 2023.
2025 Passed the House:
All three of Shusterman’s Juvenile Justice Bills :
HB1576 requires the state to compensate counties for 50% of expenses spent on children in their care. This bill also offers indigent defense.
HB1577 ensures that the use of mechanical, chemical & manual restraints as well as strip searches and seclusion are last resort measures only when the child poses a threat to themselves or others.
HB1573 requires DHS to conduct an inventory of programs and services available to address juvenile delinquency in counties across Pennsylvania.
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HB 1412 Child Custody Modification bill requires any individual requesting a custody modification to show a material change in circumstances.
HB 630 Equal Pay bill prohibits employers from discriminating against anyone due to gender, ethnicity or race. Additionally, it would require all employees with the same qualifications be paid the same rate regardless of gender.
HB 1190 3-D Print Gun would require these types of guns to be regulated as all other guns. This bill was folded into another Rep’s larger gun violence prevention bill. Because 3-D guns are untraceable this would give law enforcement another tool in solving crimes.
2023-2024 Bills Enacted Into Law
Shapiro administration defunded crisis pregnancy centers which had a history of misleading women seeking an abortion and being paid millions of our tax dollars over the years, as laid out in Shusterman’s HB 2626. Now that money in the state budget is used to fund women’s healthcare clinics.
Child & Dependent Care Tax Credit – Starting in 2023 Shusterman’s previous small tax credit was significantly expanded to match the Federal Tax Credit.
The Uniform Family Law Arbitration Act, passed in 2024, provides families with a voluntary and private process for resolving disputes with an arbitrator instead of going to court, which is costly.
The Nursing Home Communications Act, passed in 2024, requires the Pennsylvania Dept of Health to hold annual meetings with nursing home staff to foster better communication and collaboration