HARRISBURG, PA — The Senate HELP Committee, led by PA Sen. Bob Casey, advanced the bipartisan East Palestine Health Impact Monitoring Act.

The bill establishes a five-year public health study to monitor potential long-term health impacts in Pennsylvania and Ohio from the 2023 Norfolk Southern train derailment.

Casey also urged the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to exempt families affected by the disaster from being taxed on reimbursements for post-disaster necessities.

Casey introduced the bipartisan Railway Safety Act to improve rail safety protocols and prevent future derailments, but it has not advanced since.