Topper Calls on Shapiro Administration to Withdraw Oppressive Lockdown-Era Regulations

August 26, 2026

HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania House Republican Leader Jesse Topper (R-Bedford/Fulton) today called on the Shapiro administration to withdraw proposed regulations reminiscent of COVID lockdown-era government policy that would infringe upon constitutional norms and civil liberties.

“Oppressive COVID-era policies were viewed with skepticism by Pennsylvanians of every demographic. Submitting these regulations seems to be devoid of any understanding of our recent history of dangerous government overreach and the resulting public backlash,” Topper said.

“Government policy that can result in serious interruptions to student success, individual privacy, and how our economy operates should be handled through the legislative process instead of through regulation. We learned that during COVID and we should be practicing that now. As such, I call on the Shapiro administration to immediately withdraw these proposed regulations and work collaboratively with the legislature on their vision for public health management.”

As reported this week by The Daily Wire, the Department of Health’s recently submitted proposed regulations would allow government officials to institute school or community mask mandates, enter private residences without warrants, and seek private health information without consent. 

Furthermore, the Department of Health would have the authority to enter any school building to interview a student of any age in private, without notification to the parent or guardian, to interview the student for contact tracing and partner services. 

Topper noted this private interview could lead to a student being convinced to take a vaccine or other treatment without notification to the parent or guardian.

“One of the principal lessons learned through the unilateral approach taken to mitigating the COVID-19 pandemic was that the people demand their civil rights and individual freedom over government mandates,” Topper said. 

“While there may be room for improvement in managing matters of public health and the spread of communicable diseases, we can never trade constitutional protections and personal liberty for the heavy hand of government.”



Republican Leader Jesse Topper
78th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Jason Gottesman
717-512-0620
jgottesman@pahousegop.com