Press Releases
Legislators Aim to Expand Dolly Parton’s Free Children’s Book-By-Mail Program in Pa
West Chester, PA − March 5, 2024 – In honor of Read Across America Week, state legislators are teaming up to expand a free book-giving program started by country music legend Dolly Parton to children across Pennsylvania. State Senator Carolyn Comitta, state...
Collett, Ward Announce 10-Year Plan to Support PA Seniors, Opportunity for Public Comment
Harrisburg, Pa. − February 20, 2024 − Pennsylvania Senators Maria Collett (D-12) and Judy Ward (R-30), Chairs of the Senate Aging & Youth Committee and Registered Nurses, announced the publication of Aging Our Way, PA: A Plan for Lifelong Independence, a...
Senator Collett Announces Over $470K for Local Fire Companies & EMS
Fort Washington, Pa. − February 16, 2024 − Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery) has announced $473,662 in grant funding for 30 local fire companies and emergency medical services (EMS) departments awarded by the Office of the State Fire Commissioner. “The 12th...
Senator Collett Reacts to Gov. Shapiro’s 24-25 Budget Address
Harrisburg, Pa. − February 6, 2024 − Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery, Democratic Caucus Secretary) attended Governor Josh Shapiro’s budget address today and would like to share the following comments: “Here in Pennsylvania, it’s time for us to realize that we...
Senator Collett Announces $667K in Traffic Safety Funding
Fort Washington, Pa. − January 30, 2024 − Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery) announced nearly $667,000 in Automated Red Light Enforcement (ARLE) grant funding to improve traffic safety and connect communities across her district. “Investing in Pennsylvania’s...
Sen. Collett Secures $650K for Local Trails, Flood Prevention
Lower Gwynedd, Pa. − January 16, 2024 − Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery) announced today that Pennsylvania’s Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) has awarded $650,000 in Act 13 grant funding across three exciting projects in her district. “The grants I’m...
Senator Collett Joins Governor Shapiro to Celebrate Childcare Tax Credit Expansion, Putting Money Back Into Working Families’ Pockets
Berwyn, Pa. − January 5, 2024 − Today, Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery) joined Governor Josh Shapiro and fellow legislators at the Upper Main Line YMCA in Berwyn, Pennsylvania to celebrate the $100 million expansion of...
Sen. Collett Announces Nearly $700K for Art & Culture Institutions
Lower Gwynedd, Pa. — Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery) has announced $691,756 in grant funding for local arts and culture institutions through the COVID-19 ARPA PA Arts and Culture Recovery Program (PACR). “The 12th District’s museums and performing arts centers...
Sen. Collett Secures $6.5M For Water, Sewer, & Stormwater Infrastructure Improvements
Lower Gwynedd, Pa. − December 19, 2023 − Today, Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery) announced $6,547,117 in state grant funding for water supply, sanitary sewer, and stormwater projects across her district. “The success of municipal water, sewer, and stormwater...
Sen. Collett Sounds Off on Final PA Budget Deal
Fort Washington, Pa. − December 14, 2023 − Democratic Caucus Secretary Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery) released a video to her constituents today discussing the long-awaited completion of the 2023-24 Budget and why the code bills passed this week matter for...
PA Legislature Approves Bill to Protect Sexually Exploited Children and Human Trafficking Victims
HARRISBURG - December 14, 2023 - Pennsylvania Senators Maria Collett (D-12), Cris Dush (R-25), and Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-28) celebrated the final passage of their legislation to ensure children who are victims of human trafficking can seek justice and access...
House Approves Ward and Collett Bill to Protect Prescription Coverage for Social Security Recipients
HARRISBURG – December 11, 2023 − The state House today approved legislation introduced by Sen. Judy Ward (R-30) and Sen. Maria Collett (D-12) that would ensure older Pennsylvanians do not lose access to two state prescription medication programs due to an increase in...
Sen. Collett Hosts Annual Family Health Fair
Ambler, Pa. - December 4, 2023 — On Saturday, December 2, Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery) hosted her 5th annual health fair event at the Ambler Area YMCA. “As a nurse, I know just how important it is that families have the tools they need to live full, healthy...
Collett Companion Bill Ending Nonconsensual Pelvic Exams Advances to Governor’s Desk
Harrisburg, Pa. − November 16, 2023 − Today, House Bill 507, the companion bill to Senator Maria Collett & Senator Katie Muth’s Senate Bill 549, was sent to Governor Shapiro’s desk for his signature. The legislation requires medical facilities in Pennsylvania to...
Senate Approves Ward and Collett Bill to Enable Better Service in Long-Term Care Facilities
HARRISBURG – November 14, 2023 − The Senate today approved a bill introduced by Sen. Judy Ward (R-30) and Sen. Maria Collett (D-12) that would enhance the availability and quality of service at long-term care facilities in Pennsylvania. “The workforce...
Senate Takes Steps to Advance Bipartisan Sexual Harassment Legislation
HARRISBURG – November 14, 2023 − Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward (R-39) along with Sens. Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-28), Tracy Pennycuick (R-24), and Sen. Maria Collett (D-12), today issued a co-sponsorship memo announcing the Senate’s intent to advance a bipartisan legislative package consisting of two bills to increase measures when addressing matters of sexual harassment in the workplace.
Scaring Off Scammers: PA Sen. Collett & US Sen. Casey Host Halloween Scam Prevention Seminar
Horsham, Pa. − October 31, 2023 − This Halloween morning, PA Senator Maria Collett and U.S. Senator Bob Casey’s office hosted their “Spooky ScamJam,” an interactive scam prevention seminar in partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Banking &...
Senate Dems Discuss Water, Sewer, Stormwater Infrastructure at Capitol Hearing
HARRISBURG, October 25, 2023 – State Senator Katie Muth (D-Chester/Montgomery/Berks), chair of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Policy Committee, today joined Senator Lindsey Williams (D-Allegheny) and Senator Maria Collett (D-Montgomery) to co-host a public...
Breaking Ground at the Lansdale YMCA: Sen. Collett Celebrates $2.5M Investment in Community Recreation
Lansdale, Pa. − October 6, 2023 − On Thursday, Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery) joined Representative Steve Malagari, Lansdale Borough officials and North Penn YMCA leadership to break ground on a new gymnasium at the Lansdale Area Family YMCA. “The...
Sen. Collett Secures $2.3M for Local Parks & Conservation Projects
Fort Washington, Pa. - October 6, 2023 — Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery) has announced more than $2.3 million in grant funding for local projects awarded through the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources' (DCNR’s) Community Conservation...
Senator Collett Celebrates State Investment in Gwynedd Mercy University Healthcare Innovation Center
Lower Gwynedd, Pa. - September 27, 2023 — Today, Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery) joined Gwynedd Mercy University officials, faculty and students to break ground on the Francis M. Maguire Healthcare Innovation Center, a state-of-the-art training ground for the...
Senator Collett Announces Over $150,000 for Montgomery County Food Pantries
Fort Washington, Pa. – September 26, 2023 – During Hunger Action Month, Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery) has announced $153,764 in funding for local food banks, pantries, and soup kitchens in Montgomery County through the Emergency Food Assistance...
Senator Collett Secures $5.4M for Victims’ Services & Crime Prevention In Montgomery County
Fort Washington, Pa. − September 21, 2023 – Today, Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery) announced more than $5.4 million in Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) grant funding for Montgomery County based agencies and organizations. “As an attorney...
Senators Collett & Saval Introduce AAPI-Inclusive Curriculum Bill To Fight Anti-Asian Hate
Harrisburg, Pa. − September 7, 2023 — To expand education and confront the rise in bias crimes against people of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) descent, State Senators Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery) and Nikil Saval (D-1...
Senator Collett Announces $1.4 Million to Improve Traffic Safety in Montgomery County
Fort Washington, Pa. - August 14, 2023 — Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery) announced that $1,425,380 in grant funding has been awarded to improve traffic safety and efficiency in her district through the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s (PennDOT’s)...
Collett, Ward Lead Hearing on Critical Roles of Children’s Advocacy Centers
HARRISBURG – August 9, 2023 − The Senate Aging and Youth Committee, chaired by state Sen. Judy Ward (R-30) and Sen. Maria Collett (D-12) held a hearing on Tuesday to gather information about the critical roles played by children’s advocacy centers across Pennsylvania....
Collett, Schlossberg Rally Mental Health Professionals and Advocates for Restoration of $100 Million in Adult Mental Health Funding
HARRISBURG − July 27, 2023 – Sen. Maria Collett and State Rep. Mike Schlossberg today joined mental health professionals, advocates and fellow legislators at a Capitol news conference to address restoring the $100 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding for mental...
Senator Collett Celebrates House Passage of Patient Safety Act
Harrisburg, Pa. - June 28, 2023 — Today, Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery) joined her colleagues in the legislature and fellow nurses from across the Commonwealth to celebrate the passage of HB 106, the companion to Senator Collett's Patient Safety Act (SB 247),...
PA Senate Unanimously Approves Landmark Legislation to Protect Sexually Exploited Children, Human Trafficking Victims
HARRISBURG – June 29, 2023 − Sens. Cris Dush (R-25), Maria Collett (D-12) and Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-28) expressed gratitude to their Senate colleagues today for unanimously advancing their shared legislation to ensure that sexually exploited children who are...
Senate Approves Collett and Ward Bill to Protect Prescription Coverage for Social Security Recipients
HARRISBURG – June 19, 2023 –The state Senate today approved legislation introduced by Sen. Maria Collett (D-12) and Sen. Judy Ward (R-30) that would ensure older Pennsylvanians do not lose access to two state prescription medication programs due to an increase in...
Sen. Collett Recognizes Gun Violence Awareness Month with Renewed Call to Action
Harrisburg, Pa. − June 6, 2023 − During National Gun Violence Awareness Month, Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery) is renewing her call to prioritize public safety and pass popular, lifesaving gun safety legislation in Pennsylvania. She spoke on the issue on the Senate floor on Monday.
PA Senators Team Up to Shield Sexually Exploited Children, Human Trafficking Victims from Traumatizing Third Party ID Requirements
HARRISBURG – June 2, 2023 − Continuing efforts to combat human trafficking throughout the Commonwealth, PA Senators Cris Dush (R-25), Maria Collett (D-12) and Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-28) have officially introduced legislation that would remove the third-party control...
Senators Collett & Saval Advocate for AAPI Inclusive Curriculum
Harrisburg, Pa. - May 1, 2023 — In an effort to expand education and fight the recent rise in bias crimes against people of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) descent in the Commonwealth, State Senators Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery) and Nikil Saval (D-1...
Senator Collett Pushes for Open Primaries in PA
Harrisburg, Pa. - April 27, 2023 — On Wednesday, Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery) joined Senators Lisa M. Boscola (D-Northampton) and Dan Laughlin (R-Erie) in support of bipartisan legislation to establish open primaries in Pennsylvania, Senate Bill 400. During...
Senator Collett & Representative Cerrato Present $1 Million Grant to Bring Miracle League Field to Horsham
Horsham, Pa. - April 1, 2023 — Earlier today, Representative Melissa Cerrato (D-151 Montgomery) and Correne Kristiansen, Chief of Staff for Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery) attended Miracle Field of Horsham’s Opening Day 5K and presented the organization with a...
Senator Collett’s North Wales District Office Closing March 31, Relocating to Fort Washington
North Wales, Pa. - March 30, 2023- Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery) and her team are moving out of their North Wales district office, located in the Gwynedd Corporate Center (1180 Welsh Rd, Suite 130, North Wales, PA 19454). Their final day at this location...
Collett & Hanbidge Announce $930,000 for Lower Gwynedd Infrastructure Improvements
Lower Gwynedd, Pa. - Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery) and Representative Liz Hanbidge (D-61 Montgomery) have announced $933,882 in grant funding for two projects in Lower Gwynedd Township, funded through the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA): $786,000 to...
State Lawmakers Secure Funding for Schuylkill River Passenger Rail Feasibility Study
Reading, PA — March 17, 2023 — Today, a group of Democratic state lawmakers announced $250,000 in Local Share Account grant funding to study the restoration of passenger rail between Reading and Philadelphia. In April of 2022, County Commissioners...
Sen. Collett & Rep. Cerrato Announce $3.5M For Local Recreation & Infrastructure Projects
Horsham, PA - March 16, 2023 — State Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery) and State Representative Melissa Cerrato (D-151 Montgomery) have announced $3,513,871 in Local Share Account (LSA) grants for five projects in the 151st House District, which falls completely...
Senator Collett Announces $7.4M for Local Infrastructure, Recreation & Accessibility Improvements
Lower Gwynedd, Pa. - March 16, 2023 — Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery) announced today that Pennsylvania’s Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) has awarded $7,412,753 in grant awards for seventeen projects across the 12th district. “I'm thrilled to announce...