Pictured: State Senator Marty Flynn with Student Ambassador Program participants in the Senate Chamber in Harrisburg. The photo can be attributed to Jimmy Brown, Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus. Media operate allowed. Pictured: State Senator Marty Flynn with Student Ambassador Program participants in the Harrisburg Senate chamber. The photo can be attributed to Jimmy Brown, Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus. Multimedia operate allowed.
SCRANTON, PA – April 13, 2026 − Senator Marty Flynn announced the end of the 2025-2026 Student Ambassador Program following final presentations on April 9, during which students presented original policy proposals developed during the program.
Four student groups introduced legislation on a range of issues, including maternal health, school nutrition, access to full-time school nurses and support for child advocacy centers.
At the end of the presentation, Senator Flynn selected the Child Victims Assistance Fund Act as a follow-up. The proposal was presented by Grace Bennett (Abington Heights), Edward Bonin (Dunmore), Connor Cawley (Pittston area), Kinsey Harris (Wilkes-Barre area) and Ava Roberto (Scranton).
The proposed legislation would establish a dedicated funding stream for child welfare centers across Pennsylvania, including a proposed budget line of $14.5 million per year. It also calls for charging offenders restitution fees to facilitate provide services to child victims.
Students involved in the proposal connect with child support centers to better understand the challenges they face, including the lack of consistent funding across the state.
Additional proposals developed under the program, including the BUMP Act (the Banking to Protect Maternity Act), gluten-free lunch options in Pennsylvania public schools, and the Pennsylvania Full-Time School Nurses Act, will be introduced by House members including Representative Bridget Kosierowski (114th Legislative District), Representative Jim Haddock (118th Legislative District), and Representative Kyle Donahue (113th Legislative District).
“The work these students put in goes far beyond the final presentation,” said Senator Flynn. “Since October, they have spent months developing these ideas, learning how the legislative process works, and even getting an inside look at the State Capitol in Harrisburg. I was struck by how focused they were on supporting others. Each proposal was based on real issues and aimed at improving people’s lives. This was a tight-knit group, and it was an honor to work with them on this program.”
The Student Ambassador Program provides high school students in the 22nd Senatorial District with the opportunity to learn about state government, engage in political issues and develop their own legislative proposals.
