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A state lawmaker serving Lycoming and part of Union County has his focus on several legislative priorities in the upcoming sessions in Harrisburg.
State Rep. Jamie Flick, R-South Williamsport, representing the 83rd House District, including Lycoming County and Gregg and White Deer townships in Union County, shared a summary of those priorities with the Sun-Gazette ahead of the 2027-2028 Legislative schedule.
Custody reform
At the close of this legislative session, Flick's main custody legislation, HB 1499, has 80 bipartisan co-sponsors.
Looking ahead, he plans to submit a package of new custody reform bills that will reinvigorate the presumptive 50/50 bill and expand the scope of protections for fit, capable, loving parents seeking fair custody, including legislation that addresses false PFAs, repeated delays in hearings, and recognizes that time illegally taken from one parent in a legal custody arrangement should be time returned. Flick will also write a resolution to increase data collection in family court.
Related to court reform is Flick's legislation to allow cameras in the courtroom. Pennsylvania is only one of four states that does not allow cameras in the courts, limiting the transparency of court proceedings. Flick has requested to join the Government Oversight Committee to continue to root out corruption.
Additional legislation
In response to constituent feedback, two particular pieces of legislation Flick intends to pursue in collaboration with fellow House members includes property tax reform, and legislation to establish within the PA Crimes Code the offense of grooming a minor.
He also plans to continue his bipartisan work on studying mental health treatment in county jails. He will also re-examine and resubmit the legislation he introduced to the House in this most recent session.
Funding for the 83rd District
Flick will continue to advocate for state funding for district businesses, municipalities, and projects. In the 2025-2026 legislative session, Flick helped to bring more than $25.3 million to the district for infrastructure, education, outdoor recreation, food security, nonprofit support, EMS/Police/Fire services, and more.
Flick is a recent recipient of the PA Municipal League (PML) award for Legislative Leadership, and he intends to continue his support of local and municipal governments to provide quality public safety services for residents. PML is a leading statewide municipal organization serving and advancing Pennsylvania's local governments.
Tackling opioid misuse and overdoses
Flick has served on the Pennsylvania Opioid Misuse and Addiction Abatement Trust for two years and will continue his service as the sole Republican representative appointed to the Trust.
Opioid overdose deaths have decreased 16% in the Commonwealth. In Lycoming and Union counties, overdose deaths are down over 50%. These numbers indicate the abatement and education programs funded through the Trust are proving to be effective.
Problem gambling caucus
A bi-partisan, bi-cameral caucus established to combat problem gambling through education, research, and bipartisan collaboration. Flick formed the coalition with Sens. Joe Picozzi, R-Philadelphia and Nick Miller, D-Lehigh/Northampton and Rep. Ben Sanchez, D-Montgomery to promote evidence-based policies that protect consumers, address addiction and mental health concerns, and preserve gambling as a safe recreational activity instead of a pathway to financial and personal harm.
By proactively examining how gambling affects Pennsylvanians, especially young adults and other vulnerable populations, and identifying practical safeguards that reduce harm while respecting individual choice, the caucus hopes to head off costly addiction and mental health issues.
District outreach events and constituent services
Events in the district help to connect constituents with services and resources. On April 22, he will host his 5th annual Human Services Expo and Speaker Series at the Pennsylvania College of Technology, bringing a focus on the wide range of resources available to help residents navigate mental health, addiction, intellectual and physical disabilities, senior healthcare, services for children, housing, transportation, and much more. Following his first E-recycling event held this past October, Flick will make that an annual event for constituents.
Promoting Manufacturing
As a member of the House Manufacturing Caucus, Flick intends to cultivate relationships with international partners including Taiwan to bring manufacturing and high paying jobs to the district.