“Families shouldn’t have to choose between going to work and having quality care for a loved one, or have to work just to pay for care,” said Philadelphia House Delegation Chair Morgan Cephas. “We fought and won for working families prioritizing this significant increase in the Child and Dependent Care Enhancement Tax Credit. I’m elated to know that so many families across Philadelphia will greatly benefit from this increase.” Read more
“Chairman Roebuck served his West Philadelphia district with distinction for 35 years as state representative and was involved in his community his entire life. His leadership extended beyond the 188th District as the longtime chairman of the House Education Committee, fighting for Pennsylvania students and ensuring opportunity for higher education for all. His service and tenure are unparalleled in our delegation, as he continued to be a source of inspiration and insight beyond his days in the legislature. Our condolences stretch to his family, colleagues and the people of West Philadelphia who knew him best.” Read more
PHILADELPHIA, May 10 – Members of the Philadelphia House Delegation today said they were grateful to the Pennsylvania State Police for conducting a thorough investigation into the State Police traffic stop and arrest of Celena Morrison and Darius McLean on I-76 in March and reiterated the need for transparency in community policing. The unnamed PSP trooper involved in the incident was placed on administrative leave two months ago pending an internal investigation and is now no longer employed with the State Police, according to a PSP spokesperson. Delegation Chair Morgan Cephas said that while the investigation likely remains ongoing, she is grateful that Pennsylvania State Police officials took the matter seriously and handled the matter swiftly and professionally. "As chair of the delegation, I'm glad that the State Police have heard our concerns and took the time to hold a fair and impartial internal investigation into this matter, which has led to the officer involved no longer being employed by them,” Cephas said. “I also commend the State Police for speeding up their commitment to make sure all officers working in Philadelphia have active body cameras. This will go a long way in protecting the citizens of Philadelphia as well as the hardworking members of the Pennsylvania State Police who serve and protect us day in and day out. This kind of transparency is critical when incidents like the Read more
The federal legislation follows the passage of a similar bill that passed the Pennsylvania House of Representatives to cover doula services for expectant and new mothers here. Read more
The bill, introduced by state Rep. Morgan Cephas (D-Philadelphia) is part of a package of legislation on Black maternal health — nicknamed the “Momnibus” by supporters — that includes a requirement for Medicaid to pay for blood pressure monitors, which also passed Monday in the state House with a 164-37 vote. Read more
HARRISBURG, May 6 – PA House lawmakers today passed legislation authored by state Rep. Morgan Cephas, D-Phila., that would extend Medicaid coverage to doula services in the state. Under Cephas’ bill ( H.B. 1608 ), Medicaid would reimburse certified doulas for providing childbirth education and support services, including physical and emotional support, during pregnancy, labor and delivery and up to one year postpartum. “Research has shown that doula support leads to improved birth outcomes, including reduced rates of cesarean sections, shorter labor durations and higher rates of breastfeeding initiation. By providing continuous support throughout and after pregnancy, doulas contribute to safer and more positive birth experiences for families," Cephas said. "Lack of health coverage for these services in Medicaid leads to a vast disparity in care for women who are already statistically at risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes, with Black birthing people at the highest risk of maternal and infant mortality and morbidity compared to other racial and ethnic groups. This legislation would give these parents a proven network of support needed to produce better mental and physical health outcomes during their birthing journey. I appreciate that my House colleagues understood the wisdom of providing this to moms who receive their health care under Medicaid.” The bill also would establish a Doula Read more
Amid continued calls for increased police accountability and transparency, the Pennsylvania State Police announced that it has issued body cameras to all troopers in Philadelphia, Montgomery, and Delaware Counties. Read more
“This is pivotal step forward in enhancing transparency and accountability within our law enforcement agencies,” State Representative Morgan Cephas, D-Philadelphia, said in a statement. “The commitment fulfilled by the Pennsylvania State Police to equip all officers of Troop K with body cameras is not just a response to a single incident; it is a response to the call from our communities for greater oversight and trust. These cameras are a vital tool in protecting both our citizens and our officers, providing clear and objective accounts of interactions. I commend Governor Shapiro and the Pennsylvania State Police for their leadership and dedication to this crucial initiative. Together, we are building a foundation for safer and more just communities across our Commonwealth.” Read more
HARRISBURG, April 29 – The Philadelphia House Delegation today applauded the Pennsylvania State Police for following up on their promise to expand the use of body cameras to the officers in Troop K serving the Philadelphia region. During a public hearing with the House Appropriations Committee on the 2024-25 state budget in early March, State Police Commissioner Colonel Christopher Paris assured the committee that resources would be expedited to Southeastern PA for body camera recordings to be implemented on all officers. “Transparency is critical in officer-involved incidents. The cameras now worn by Troop K and used in their vehicles will assist in that transparency and create accountability in the unfortunate use of force,” said delegation chairwoman Rep. Morgan Cephas, D-Phila. “This is about protecting our communities and protecting officers, giving everyone a little more peace of mind when issues arise.” House Majority Appropriations Committee Chairman Jordan Harris, D-Phila, recounted the pledge to expedite body cameras by PSP leadership during the committee’s public hearings on the state budget. “On March 4, 2024, the Appropriations Committee met with the Pennsylvania State Police for their budget hearing. This hearing immediately followed high-profile incidents with the PSP in our region; Commissioner Paris assured me and the committee that they would expedite resources to have Read more
PHILADELPHIA, April 29 – The Philadelphia House Delegation today applauded the awarding of more than $3.5 million in competitive grants from t he School Safety and Security Committee, under the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, to schools across the city for safety and security support for students and staff. The largest grant was nearly 1.8 million to the School District of Philadelphia, with six other awards spread across city charter schools. “When our young people attend school, they, along with staff at the school, deserve to be in a safe environment that is conducive for learning and educating,” delegation Chair Morgan Cephas, D-Phila., said. “We applaud PCCD and Governor Shapiro for investing these needed dollars to ensure schools across Philadelphia have resources for improved security, and for students and staff to be able to access the resources they need to address their personal well-being, all of which can help lead to better results in the classroom.” The following schools in Philadelphia were also awarded a competitive school safety and security grant: Belmont Charter School $193,002 Community Academy of Philadelphia Charter School $312,200 Esperanza Academy Charter School $353,611 Inquiry Charter School $317,005 Maritime Academy Charter School $92,225 Overbrook School for Blind (Approved Private Read more
HARRISBURG, April 17 – The PA House Health Committee today approved legislation authored by state Rep. Morgan Cephas, D-Phila., that would extend Medicaid coverage to doula services in the state. Under Cephas’ bill ( H.B. 1608 ), Medicaid would reimburse certified doulas for providing childbirth education and support services, including physical and emotional support, during pregnancy, labor and delivery and up to one year postpartum. “Research has shown that doula support leads to improved birth outcomes, including reduced rates of cesarean sections, shorter labor durations and higher rates of breastfeeding initiation. By providing continuous support throughout and after pregnancy, doulas contribute to safer and more positive birth experiences for mothers," Cephas said. "While some moms can afford doula services without insurance or have insurance that covers it, moms who receive their vital pregnancy care through Medicaid are not so lucky. This leads to a vast inequality in care for women who are already statistically at risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes, with Black women at the highest risk of maternal and infant mortality and morbidity compared to other racial and ethnic groups. This legislation would give these mothers a proven network of support needed to produce better mental and physical health outcomes during their birthing journey.” The bill also would establish a Doula Advisory Read more
Philadelphia House Delegation Chair Rep. Morgan Cephas stands with Blue-Green Caucus colleagues, environmental advocates, and labor leaders to unveil legislation that would reduce emissions by mass transit while also bringing good-paying jobs to families across the commonwealth. Read more
PHILADELPHIA, April 12 – Philadelphia House Delegation Chair Morgan Cephas, D-Phila., today said she was relieved to learn that two major suppliers of ghost guns have reached an agreement with the city to stop selling their deadly products that have been entering Philadelphia at an alarming rate. Under the settlement, which comes about 10 months after the city filed a lawsuit against Polymer80 and JDS Supply for negligence, the two sellers have agreed to stop selling these parts online and in stores within the city for four years and at gun shows for two years. Polymer80 also will make $1.3 million in payments to the city to fund local efforts to address gun violence. “I am relieved to see these companies taking some responsibility for the devastation that their deadly products have inflicted upon our city and on countless numbers of grieving families and terrified residents,” Cephas said. “I applaud Mayor Parker and her administration for the city’s strong position in this fight and will continue to work with my colleagues at the state level to enact the many reforms that are needed in the fight against gun violence. “While this settlement is good news, it’s just the tip of what’s needed to reduce deadly gun violence across Pennsylvania. I continue to call on the Pennsylvania Senate to pass the gun safety reform measures sent to them by the House this legislative session. Read more
Black Pennsylvanians had the highest pregnancy-associated mortality ratio at 148 per 100,000 live births, which is nearly twice as much as white Pennsylvanians who had a PAMR at 81 per 100,000 live births, highlighting racial disparities in maternal health care. Read more
HARRISBURG, April 8 – The Pennsylvania House of Representatives today passed legislation ( H.B. 657 ) introduced by state Reps. Donna Bullock and Morgan Cephas, both D-Phila., which would provide consumer protection against unfair realty agreements for homeowners by establishing prohibitions and requirements for these agreements. “Too often, I hear the horror stories of unscrupulous realty companies preying on unsuspecting homeowners and vulnerable neighborhoods by trapping them in questionable realty agreement contracts and then suing them should they try to cancel the agreement,” Bullock said. “It’s our hope that with this legislation we can ensure homeowners are no longer subjected to these unsavory and underhanded practices.” Under this legislation, unlawful agreements that include certain forbidden content would be deemed unenforceable in Pennsylvania and in violation of the Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Act. “Pennsylvania homeowners spend their lifetime working hard to build home equity and create generational wealth but are too often vulnerable to dishonest realty companies looking to scam them out of that wealth,” Cephas said. “Pennsylvanians deserve protections from fraud, and should they fall victim to predatory practices, then they deserve to have the damages recovered.” The bill will now go to the PA Senate Read more
The resolution would recognize Thursday, April 11 to Wednesday, April 17 as Black Maternal Health Week. The House Human Services Committee unanimously reported the resolution of out committee. Read more
The Chester County District Attorney on Friday joined with his counterpart in Delaware County to applaud legislation that was adopted by the state House of Representatives banning the sale of so called “ghost guns” and their individual parts and making it a crime to do so. Read more
PHILADELPHIA, April 4 – Members of the Philadelphia House Delegation today joined gun safety advocates to call on the state Senate to take up legislation ( H.B. 777 ) passed by the House last week that aims to eliminate the proliferation of “ghost guns” in Pennsylvania and crack down on those who buy or sell them, along with other gun reform bills passed by the House in this legislative session. The bill, sponsored by state Reps. Morgan Cephas and Malcolm Kenyatta, both D-Phila., would make selling or purchasing a firearm or firearm parts without serial numbers a felony. Cephas said these untraceable firearms are a main driver of crime, especially in Philadelphia. “Ghost guns are far too easily obtainable in Philadelphia, leading to day-to-day gun violence that has no end,” Cephas said. “For far too long, the Pennsylvania legislature has been singularly focused on what we do after crimes are committed with guns, rather than the unfettered access to these deadly, untraceable weapons. I am thankful that the House, under our new Democratic majority, moved this commonsense legislation to the Senate and now call on our state senators to give it the attention and consideration it deserves.” House Speaker Joanna McClinton noted the other gun safety bills sent over to the Senate in addition to H.B. 777, including legislation that would allow for the temporary removal of firearms from Read more
HARRISBURG, March 27 – The PA House today passed legislation ( H.B. 777 ) that aims to eliminate the proliferation of “ghost guns” in Pennsylvania and crack down on those who buy or sell them. The bill, sponsored by state Reps. Morgan Cephas and Malcolm Kenyatta, both D-Phila., would impose felony charges on anyone who sells or purchases a firearm or firearm parts without serial numbers. Cephas said these untraceable firearms are a main driver of crime, especially in Philadelphia. “Ghost guns are far too easily obtainable in Philadelphia and in our neighboring municipalities, leading to day-to-day gun violence in our communities that has no end,” Cephas said. “For far too long, Pennsylvania has remined singularly focused on what we do after crimes are committed with guns, rather than the unfettered access to these deadly weapons. I am thankful that the House is now moving legislation to be proactive in preventing gun violence in our communities through commonsense reforms like making it harder to sell or buy ghost guns and untraceable firearm parts.” Cephas added that the state must act because municipal governments are prevented from doing so under state law. “The preemption of local action has been a significant barrier to reducing gun violence in Philadelphia and other municipalities who are desperate to end the scourge of gun Read more
“Doulas address Black maternal mortality and morbidity by reducing complications and improving maternal health outcomes. With the Department of Human Services’ expanding doula services, the state will allow doulas to enroll as Medicaid providers, making these services more affordable for low-income Pennsylvanians. With Black women 3.5 times more likely to die during pregnancy-related complications, we must ensure that they have access to services that would aid them during their pregnancies. We thank Gov. Josh Shapiro, Secretary of Human Services Val Arkoosh, and the administration for advancing policies that address Black maternal health, and the PBMHC will work toward advancing PA’s MOMNIBUS – a legislative package introduced to boldly address maternal morbidity and mortality – to the governor’s desk.” Read more
“A lot of what we’re talking about today won’t see the light of day in Harrisburg, because it’s so divided,” Representative Cephas told the committee. “But trust and believe: A lot of things that you are doing here in Philly — so, for example, the Philly Joy Bank — they’re replicating across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.” Read more
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